Every year, on 10 October, we join together in shining the spotlight on a particular aspect of mental ill health. World Mental Health Day is the annual global celebration of mental health education, awareness and advocacy. This year's theme set by the World Federation for Mental Health is psychological first aid and the support people can provide to those in distress.
One in four adults and one in ten children are likely to have a mental health problem in any given year. This can have a profound impact on the lives of tens of millions of people in the UK, and can affect their ability to sustain relationships, work, or just get through the day.
For more information and details on how to support the day, visit the Mental Health Foundation website. Otherwise explore our free content on mental health below.
Mental health tips, explainers and coping mechanisms
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Journeying through Wellbeing
Take a journey through Wellbeing and see how factors such as where we grow up, what happens to us, and our physical health, can all impact on our mental health and wellbeing.
Activity
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Why friendships are vital to your wellbeing
It's well-documented that loneliness can cause depression and have negative effects on health and lifespans, equal to that of smoking. Explore why friends are good for your wellbeing, then invite them round for a catch up - it's important!
Article
Level: 1 Introductory
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Five reasons why you should care about mindfulness
Mindfulness is about focusing on the present moment, whilst at the same time accepting your feelings, thoughts, and body’s sensations. But why does mindfulness matter?
Article
Level: 1 Introductory
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Green care: contact with nature can improve mental health
Can being outside gardening improve our wellbeing? Discover three factors that account for the positive effects of 'green care'.
Article
Level: 1 Introductory
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Is Mental Health ‘All in the Mind’?
Do mental health issues rest solely in the mind? Or do other factors contribute to psychological problems?
Article
Level: 1 Introductory
Why not try a FREE course in mental health studies?
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Making sense of mental health problems
Over the past century there has been a radical shift in responses to people who experience mental health problems. In this free course, Making sense of mental health problems, you will learn about how key perspectives in the field have made sense of mental health problems. By directly relating key perspectives to a case study, you will reflect ...
Free course
10 hours
Level: 2 Intermediate
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Understanding mental capacity
This free course, Understanding mental capacity, covers the principles and criteria underpinning the assessment of mental capacity and decision making in the UK.
Free course
24 hours
Level: 1 Introductory
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Challenging ideas in mental health
Take a new and different look at mental health. This free course, Challenging ideas in mental health, invites you to think differently about life's dilemmas by taking account of the views of all concerned, especially people experiencing mental distress. It explores ideas and practice in mental health, and will appeal to a wide range of people.
Free course
8 hours
Level: 2 Intermediate
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