Throwing it back to Mental health awareness week!
Here at Checkmates HQ we had a busy week creating content and sharing resources for our community. We also launched our first campaign #IgnoreUs sounds a bit bonkers but the theme of this years #Mentalhealthawarenessweek was nature and we wanted to encourage everyone to get outside, take some fresh air and have a change of scenery. We posted daily on our Instagram but hoped none of you would see it because you’d all be too busy outside enjoying nature!
We are proud to announce that we have a new partnership with Championing Youth Minds!
Founder Tanya wrote a little something to explain what CYM is all about.
Championing Youth Minds was founded in response to the mental health pandemic our country is facing with a particular focus on the devastating impact on our youth.
We aim to provide a platform through which young people can help other young people care for their mental wellbeing.
Through free online resources accessible to all schools, parents and youth, workshops and social media, we help our youth understand mental health and effective strategies that work best for them.
If you would like to get involved, there are many opportunities to do so; be it in content creation, outreach, marketing, fund-raising and more! We are launching an online 10-week workshop program for free - if you are interested in being a part of it or to get involved please reach out to tanyamarwaha01@gmail.com
Podcast Recommendation
Happy Place by Fearne Cotton- Feat. Dr. Alex George.
After his rise to fame on Love Island Dr. Alex has done far more than promote teeth whitening strips on his Instagram. He has recently been appointed by the Prime Minister and the Youth Mental Health Ambassador to the government and has now embarked on his mission to make Mental Health Education compulsory on the curriculum. In this episode with Fearne, Dr Alex explains why this subject is so close to his heart and how we can all play our part, on every scale.
Feeling grey?
Little note from our Founder Leah.
SAD! No it’s not just a temporary feeling, it’s also a disorder affecting so so many people.
Seasonal Affective Disorder- Depression associated with late autumn and winter and thought to be caused by a lack of sunlight.
This is more than just winter blues, and certainly something not to shrug off.
I love the sun, I am a sun worshipper, I don’t feel myself without a tan and I will take any opportunity to sit outside. Although I don’t feel it appropriate to self diagnose I can really see the affect that the weather has on my emotions and mindset. I have been lucky enough to work from home a lot recently, and with the beautiful tease of summer we have had I have moved my office into my garden. I have been more productive, more accomplished and more positive.
As I reflect on the periods of time I have most struggled with my mental health, the majority of them have been through the winter. You don’t need a diagnosis or labels to recognise any triggers, big or small, in your life that you can see affecting your mental health. Whether that be avoiding a certain type of food, taking regular holidays/change of scenery or changing your bedtime routine. Never underestimate the small changes you can make in your life to ensure balance and feelings of comfort and safety.
Although unfortunately I can’t promise the sun everyday I have made sure to be kind to myself on rainy days, take full advantage of the rays when I can and have changed all the lamps in my house to yellow bulbs as they feel more like natural light and make me feel much safer.
Here is a Cosmopolitan article I found digging a bit deeper into SAD therapy lights- I haven’t purchased one yet but I am really intrigued.(INSERT GRAPHIC FROM INSTAGRAM:)
BBC’s Headroom
Anyone else see the short tease of The BBC’s new initiative Headroom- A mental health toolkit? I haven’t seen much, it has only just been published but we are excited to see such big organisations getting involved and providing such resources. Here are a few links to check out and let us know what you think.
What do you like? What would improve it?
We are taking huge inspiration from this- we are committed to providing a platform that makes a range of mental health resources accessible to you, quickly and easily.
BBC Headroom- Your mental health toolkit.
Youtube- Mindful tips, Mood Mixes. Motivation.
Well there we go, a little weekly round-up for you. We hope you had a good start to the week, enjoy the rest (even if the weather is miserable!) and stay connected.
If you would like to submit an article or small note for the next edition of Check-in you can contact us at Hiya@mycheckmates.co.uk :)
Remember… When it feels like you can’t win, check in with a mate!