London is preparing for this year’s World Mental Health Day to raise awareness and end the stigma around mental health.
A series of events are being held across the city to support the mental health of Londoners and raise awareness.
According to the mental health charity Mind, one in four adults across England experience a mental health issue, with only one in eight receiving any kind of treatment.
This years theme is ‘Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority’, with green ribbons to be a symbol of mental health awareness.
The hashtag #PinItForMentalHealth is being used to get people on social media to join in on the conversation.
World Mental Health Day Festival
The World Mental Health Day Festival is London’s official event to mark the yearly campaign.
Thrive London and the Mayor of London’s Peer Outreach Team have worked with young Londoners to put together a wellbeing festival for young people aged 16 to 25 on 10 October.
The festival will take place in City Hall between 1pm and 8pm, with the agenda featuring a range of panel discussions, workshops and creative art installations.
The theme chosen by the festival’s youth board is ‘Access All Areas’ and the aim of the event is to allow young people to come together, share experiences and improve resilience through entertaining activities.
Support for students in London universities
King’s College London are putting on a series of events to teach students about how they can support their mental health throughout their studies.
Staff from the King’s College Sport & Wellness, Student Wellbeing, Counselling and Mental Health and Careers departments will be running activities and workshops on Monday 10 October.
Kingston University are also holding their own range of talks for students on topics such as loneliness, the importance of nutrition and how to reduce stress in your daily life.
The lectures are free to attend and will take place between 1.30pm and 4.30pm.
Kind Minds Together: A World Mental Health Day event by Headspace
Meditation and sleep app Headspace is hosting a free community event to mark World Mental Health Day on the 10 October.
The panel discussion will be hosted by podcaster and presenter Katie Breifel and will focus on the topic of togetherness, community and how it relates to mental health.
Other panellists will include Jonny Benjamin MBE, a mental health campaigner, author and blogger and Agnes Mwakatuma founder of Black Minds Matter UK.
The event will take place at The Den, 14 Bedford Square, WC1B 3JA from 6.30pm-9.30pm.
World Mental Health Day in Brent
Brent mental health service providers will be gathering together to celebrate the day in Brent Civic Centre.
The event, taking place between 11am-2pm on Monday 10 October has been arranged to allow Brent residents to support and access the range of mental health services available to them.
Featured image credit: Mental Health Foundation
