The pilot for the 'Every mind matters' campaign was launched in the Midlands on 10 October – World Mental Health Day. It aims to encourage people to take responsibility for their own mental wellbeing as much as for their physical health.
The regional campaign focuses on eight commonly reported mental-health problems – stress, anxiety, problems sleeping, low mood, panic, social anxiety, trauma, and obsessions and compulsions – and aims to direct people to an 'Every mind matters' guide on PHE’s One You website.
We all have #MentalHealth and just like our physical health it goes up
— PHE West Midlands (@PHE_WestMids) October 11, 2018
and down. The #EveryMindMatters online guide is there to help people in the #WestMidlands take care of their mental health every day https://t.co/INOg6iiomY pic.twitter.com/KO09hwcHZs
Approved by the NHS, this resource provides information on how to spot signs of problems, as well as what to do about them – with the aim of helping people prevent their problems from developing into serious mental-health conditions.
The guide, available as an interactive video, audiobook and ebook, includes personal stories from case studies, complementing the messages given by medical experts.
Learn why #Redditch man Roly Duke supports our new #MentalHealth campaign piloting in the #WestMidlands. #EveryMindMatters helps people with common #MentalHealth problems like #anxiety #stress #LowMood #TroubleSleeping. Read Roly's story @Redd_Advertiser https://t.co/ydCFSdiM6b pic.twitter.com/X8hTiikiMB
— PHE West Midlands (@PHE_WestMids) October 23, 2018
Spending time with family and friends, deep breathing, getting enough sleep and relaxation techniques such as yoga and meditation are among the tips being provided.
Key messages of the campaign include making mental health as important as physical health, that mental-health problems can affect anyone, that there is always something you can do to look after your mind, and that having good mental health may reduce your risk of physical health problems.
Sheila Mitchell, head of marketing at PHE, commented: "‘Public Health England is encouraging adults in the Midlands to look after their mental health as they do their physical health through its new 'Every mind matters' campaign pilot."
The campaign is being promoted by GPs, pharmacists, local authorities, charities and businesses who are supporting it.
She added: "It is being promoted to adults across the Midlands with new TV, radio and online ads; and is being supported by a range of public-sector, charity and commercial partners."
'Every mind matters' will run regionally until December, when it will then be evaluated prior to being rolled out nationally next year as part of the government’s strategy to tackle loneliness.
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