Published: Monday 18 May 2020
We are in uncertain times, but our community has shown support and hope for people. Mental Health Action Week this year is highlighting the effect of kindness on those who receive it and also those who provide it. It can have a positive effect on the mental health and wellbeing of both parties, including reducing stress.
This week we’d like to share your experiences of kindness, particularly over the last couple of months. It can be as simple as a phone call to a friend on neighbour to check how they are doing, or it could be finding out someone needs help and arranging for the support they need to be provided. Tell us on twitter by copying in @rbkc with a short film clip or simply in words that we will then share.
There are many ways to show acts of kindness, even in the lock down. You can:
- Reach out to call a friend, family member or neighbour who is experiencing loneliness or self-isolation
- Pick up the phone and speak to someone you know who doesn’t have access to the internet, let them know the latest about resources are available to them from our Covid-19 webpages
- Offer to skill share with a friend via video call - you could teach guitar, dance etc
- Offer to send someone a takeaway or a meal
- Offer support to vulnerable neighbours
- Donate to a charity
- Donate to foodbanks
If you feeling under pressure there is advice available at Every Mind Matters and if you need direct support there are a variety of groups that can help. If you, or someone you know is in need of immediate help please contact the NHS Single Point of Access on 0800 0234 650 any time or contact the Samaritans on 0330 094 5717 or freephone 116 123 at any time.