THANK YOU FOR TAKING TIME TO TALK AND LISTEN
Our annual awareness campaign with pubs this January has begun and it is drawing attention to mental health, and the importance of talking and listening.
Firstly a massive thanks to all of the pubs across the region who are serving the beer and displaying the posters and beer mats which highlight why this is so important. The figures and statistics behind this issue are quite staggering – not least that in England and Wales every 2 hours a man will take their life by suicide. The simple act of talking and listening can so often help.
It’s time to talk differently about mental health and through this campaign, we aim to encourage a greater understanding of the importance of genuine conversations. Sometimes, asking someone how they are—then asking again—can make all the difference. Knowing that someone truly cares can give people the confidence to open up and share their feelings – a simple conversation can save a life”
Pubs have long served as welcoming spaces where people can find friendship, connect with others, or simply enjoy the comfort of being among friendly faces. These environments can play a vital role in supporting emotional wellbeing.
Why it matters:
- 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England.
- 1 in 5 people report experiencing a common mental health problem (like anxiety and depression) in any given week in England.
- 1 in 4 people have suicidal thoughts
- 1 in 10 people self-harm
- 1 in 13 people attempt suicide
- Women are more likely to have suicidal thoughts and to make suicide attempts than men, but men are three times more likely to take their own life than women
- 3 out of 4 suicides are in men
- 1 in 7 people in Norfolk live with depression
- 1 in 3 doctors appointments will be to address a mental health issue
Source: mind.org.uk*
How together we can help
Often simply taking the time to talk and listen can make a real and genuine difference.
The campaign posters highlight the work of mental health charities 856 Foundation and Mind (Norfolk and Waveney) and Mind (Suffolk) .
Do please check out what these charities do on their websites and socials ad share this info with others – the more we share the more we know we will help.
Using the umbrella of mental health awareness also allows us to highlight many local mental health charity, often these are very local, and our campaign will help highlight the great work of all mental health charities and groups.