Published on: 3rd May 2017
A national awareness campaign will shine a light on how people can easily access health and wellbeing services, to help us all thrive with good mental health.
Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) is doing all it can to let people know that support is readily available for anyone struggling with mental health problems across the county.
The theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week (8 to 14 May) is ‘surviving or thriving’ and there are a number of events taking place across the county to spread the word that positive mental wellbeing is as important as maintaining good physical health for everyone.
Mental health problems affect at least one in four people in their lifetime and once again LPFT has joined forces with its partner organisations to raise awareness of the importance of keeping active and getting people talking if they’re struggling.
The awareness week comes hot on the heels of the Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry’s recent promotion of their Heads Together campaign, which aims to further eliminate the stigma surrounding mental health problems.
Special drop-in mental wellbeing football, tennis and walking sessions are available, in addition to market stall awareness events featuring LPFT services for people to attend.
As well as the various activities on offer throughout the week it’s now even easier for people to access help for common mental health problems.
LPFT’s talking therapies service, steps2change, now features an interactive, online referral form, which will go straight through to a member of the team for an assessment to be arranged.
steps2change offers its services for anyone in Lincolnshire over the age of 16 who is suffering from common mental health problems such as depression, anxiety and stress.
Steve Skinner, steps2change Clinical Lead, encourages anyone suffering in silence to get in touch.
People often don’t realise that talking therapies are available on the NHS, that they are free and completely confidential,
he said.
There are many treatment options to suit people’s circumstances so if you’re feeling isolated, anxious, stressed at work or depressed, please contact us or make a self-referral.
Visit www.steps2change.nhs.uk for more information.
Some of the events that are taking place locally as part of this year's Mental Health Awareness week are as follows:
| Grantham | |
| Foxdale Equine Assisted Learning Coffee Morning, raising awareness of equine assisted therapeutic projects | Foxdale, Mill Lane, Oasby, NG32 3ND. Tuesday 9 May, 10am to 12pm. Contact 07980 783321 for more information. |
| Feeling Good Again.. Come and Try tennis sessions | Grantham Tennis Club. Wednesday 10 May, 10am to 12pm. Contact 01476 591391 for more information. |
| Walking Group | Meet at Manor Street Community Centre. Wednesday 10 May at 1pm. |
| LPFT's Grantham/Sleaford Community Mental Health Team | Information stand about mental health services. Sainsbury's store, London Road, Grantham, NG31 6HJ. Wednesday 10 May, 12:30pm to 2pm. |
| Lincoln | |
| SHINE Mental Health Support Network Annual General Meeting | Ruston Sports and Social Club, Newark Road, Lincoln, LN6 8RN. Tuesday 9 May, 10am to 4pm. Contact Mike Martin on 07969 872804 to book a place. |
| Just Turn Up, Positive Play football sessions | Hosted by Lincolnshire FA. Rustons Sports and Social Club, Newark Road, Lincoln, LN6 8RN. Thursday 11 May, 1:30pm to 2:30pm. Contact 07813 458812 for more information. Or click here>> |
| Acts Trust - The Shed | Friendship group for men - topical discussion night on mental health. Alive Conference Centre, Newland, Lincoln. Thursday 11 May, 7:30pm. Contact 01522 542166. |
| Skegness | |
| LPFT’s steps2change team | Information stand about mental health services. Tesco store, Richmond Drive, Skegness, PE25 3PQ. Wednesday 10 May, 10am to 1pm. |
| Sleaford | |
| LPFT’s Grantham/Sleaford Community Mental Health Team. | Information stand about mental health services. Sleaford Leisure Centre, East Banks, Boston Road, Sleaford NG34 7ET. Friday 12 May, 9am to 11am. |
