Mental health charity Lancashire Mind will be turning Lancashire blue on 10 October, World Mental Health Day (WMHD). The charity will be lighting landmarks across Lancashire, from Blackpool Tower to the Ashton Memorial, blue to highlight the importance of looking after our own and others’ mental health, and the importance of speaking up about mental health.
With one in four people in the UK experiencing mental health conditions each year, and one in six children aged five to 16 identified by a recent study as having a probable mental health condition the work that Lancashire Mind carry out across the county is more important than ever.
Helen Fairweather from Lancashire Mind said: “This year more than ever before we want to stand up for better mental health and show people the importance of looking after your own and others’ mental health and to let people know they are not alone.
“There is so much pressure and stress on people at the moment – the cost-of-living crisis is undoubtedly impacting people’s mental health and that is compounded with the aftereffects of the pandemic.
“Poor mental health can make work harder and worrying about money can make your mental health worse. It can feel like a vicious cycle but there is help out there. Much of the work we do is about prevention and helping people before they reach crisis point. Raising awareness and talking about mental health and wellbeing openly is often a good starting point.”
As well as turning the iconic Blackpool Tower blue, Blackburn Cathedral and the Ashton Memorial in Williamson Park, Lancaster will also be turning #BlueForLancashire, and the charity are asking for the people of Lancashire to wear something blue for the day.
Helen continued: We are going blue because blue is the colour of Lancashire Mind. It can also be associated in a negative way and used in terms such as ‘feeling blue’. We want to challenge and change those thoughts because at Lancashire Mind we are proud to be blue!
For us, blue represents a powerful movement of volunteers, supporters, staff and trustees committed to better mental health for all.
Lancashire Mind are asking the people of Lancashire to stand with them and join their campaign by wearing something blue and tagging them on social media with the hashtag #BlueForLancashire.
“We want to get schools, workplaces and community groups involved and create a wave of blue right across the county in support of the mental health and wellbeing of everyone in Lancashire.” said Helen.
Lancashire Mind will have teams at all the landmarks throughout the day and into the evening, as well as various other locations across the county, offering help, information, and signposting. You can see a full list of events on Lancashire Mind’s website
They will be sharing their #BlueForLancashire video on social media showcasing the experiences and different challenges of staff and supporters based on their individual circumstances, and the impact that has on their mental health.
You can follow Lancashire Mind on Facebook – Lancashire Mind, twitter @LancsMind and Instagram @lancsmind
Image: L-R Meera Rambissoon, Tommy McIlravey, Emma Bateson
