Hear4u is commemorating Mental Health Awareness Week across our clinics in the Midlands this week.
This year, the theme is loneliness – an issue which affects millions of people up and down the country and one which particularly affects people with hearing problems and tinnitus.
Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, the UK’s national week to raise awareness surrounding mental health is now in its 22nd year, and runs for the 9th to the 15th of May. Long-term loneliness is closely linked to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety, and with hearing loss, that loneliness can be exacerbated ever further.
People with hearing problems can feel isolated from social situations, unable to communicate as they otherwise would and increasingly ostracized from their friends and family. This can lead to withdrawal, feelings of hopelessness and deteriorating mental health. In combination with the lingering effects of the pandemic, the situation has been extremely difficult for many people.
Mark Rowland, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, remarked that:
“We hope this year’s theme of loneliness will strike a chord with many of us who felt lonely and struggled throughout the Covid pandemic.
“Millions of us experience loneliness from time to time. We know that some people are at higher risk of experiencing loneliness and the evidence shows the longer we feel lonely, the more we are at risk of mental health problems.
“Loneliness deserves more attention and we’re calling on everyone who has struggled as a result of being lonely to share their experiences. We must work together – as individuals, as a society and through government policy – to reduce loneliness and prevent mental health problems by investing in welcoming, social spaces and new community initiatives.”
How Do I Get Involved?
- During Mental Health Awareness Week use the hashtag #IveBeenThere to share experiences of loneliness to support others and give the campaign momentum.
- Sign up to walk, run or job as part of our 80 Miles in May challenge and share your photos using #80MilesinMay and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek.
- Get in touch with our dedicated team of support staff to see how you can resolve your hearing problems and help your mental health by calling 01455 234 600 or emailing admin@hear4u.co.uk
For more information about this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week visit mentalhealth.org.uk/mhaw or join the conversation on social media using #IveBeenThere and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
