Connect with nature this Mental Health Awareness Week (10 – 16 May 2021)

This year’s theme for Mental Health Awareness Week is nature.

We’re supporting the Mental Health Foundation’s (MHF) campaign to help raise awareness about the benefits that nature can have on our mental health and wellbeing.

During the pandemic, millions of us turned to nature. MHF’s research on the mental health impacts of the pandemic showed going for walks outside was one of our top coping strategies and 45% of us reported being in green spaces had been vital for our mental health.

That’s why we’re asking staff, and people that use our services, to #ConnectWithNature throughout the week and tag us in their photos on social media; sharing what they get up to and the impact that nature has on their mental health and wellbeing.

Photos will be shared with our grounds and gardens team at the end of the week, who will pick and announce their favourite on our social media.

Rob Webster, chief executive at the Trust, said: “Over the past year, many of us have reconnected with nature by going for walks and spending more time outside.

“There are many powerful benefits of nature for our mental health. As a regular runner, an evening run helps me to cope after the pressures of the day and, living in Yorkshire means fields, canals, trees and rivers are generally close by.

“Connecting with nature also means simple things like listening to the birds or noticing how beautiful trees are in blossom. I look forward to seeing your photos and hearing your experiences during the week.”

For more information about support for your mental health and wellbeing, please take a look at our ‘choose well for mental health’ guide.