By Jane Atherton

The month of May has long been associated with marking mental health awareness campaigns and perhaps, more specifically, Mental Health Awareness Week.

This year, Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from Monday 13^th to Sunday 19^th May. The week aims to tackle stigma and provide people with information and tools to understand and prioritise their own mental health.

The theme for this year’s campaign is – Movement: Moving More for Mental Health.

Moving our bodies is important for our mental health. Yet research by the Mental Health Foundation shows that more than a third of UK adults find it challenging to find the time for movement.

There are lots of factors that could influence people’s mental health, including:

• Financial stress brought about by the rising cost of living. Struggling to make ends meet, falling into debt or facing eviction can lead to feelings of helplessness and contribute to anxiety, depression and other mental health problems
• Work-related stress caused by high workloads and job demands. Chronic work-related stress can lead to burnout, fatigue, decreased job satisfaction and engagement with work, sickness absence and employee turnover
• Social isolation and loneliness. A lack of social support and feelings of loneliness can lead to feelings of depression, anxiety and low self-esteem.

As social housing landlords and as employers we can play an important role in supporting mental health by getting involved in the campaign that is organised by the Mental Health Foundation.

This year’s theme, Movement: Moving More for Mental Health, highlights the impact that physical activity and movement can have on our mental health, emphasising the importance of integrating movement into our daily lives.

Using the hashtag Moments for Movement, the campaign encourages people to find every and any opportunity (no matter how small) to move more. Whether you want to get involved yourself or want to promote good mental health for your customers and/or colleagues, here are some tips to get people moving more:

1. Take short walks. Take advantage of the longer days and lighter evenings by going for a short walk around the neighbourhood or local park. There is lots of research about the mental health benefits of being out in nature. We should try to aim for around 30 minutes of walking most days.
2. Use the stairs. Instead of taking the lift, opt for the stairs wherever possible. Climbing the stairs is a great way to get your heart rate up and strengthen your lower body muscles.
3. Get outside. Spend time outdoors whenever you can. Whether it is gardening, playing with your children or going for a bike ride, outdoor activities can lift our spirits and invigorate us.
4. Join a fitness class. Lots of community centres offer fitness classes tailored to all kinds of different abilities and budgets. They can also be a great opportunity to connect with and meet new people.
5. Do not compare yourself to others. Movement can look different for everyone, and you do not have to be super sporty to get the mental health benefits that come with movement. Focus on you, set small achievable goals for you and don’t feel pressured to do what everyone else is doing.
6. And, most importantly, have fun!

If you want to find out more about this year’s theme, Movement: Moving More for Mental Health, there are lots of resources available at mentalhealth.org.uk.