It has been ​Mental Heath Awareness week this week and this year has been focusing on the message Be Kind. in this very uncertain and unprecedented time this message seems to be more important than ever before.

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Mental Health Foundation recently completed a survey and found that two thirds of adults believe that being kind to others has a positive impact on mental health.

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In fact, kindness within society is top of the list when it comes to what we need to learn and take away from lockdown.

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They surveyed 4,256 adults (18 & above) in the UK to understand the role of kindness in mental health.  These results told them that two thirds said kindness had a positive impact on their mental
health with just under half saying being kind to yourself was also beneficial.  72% of those surveyed said they believe its important that we learn from the coronavirus pandemic to be more kind in society.

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We can all show kindness from a basic simple act like calling a friend or relative who is lonely or thanking someone for something they have done but to have a major impact on improving mental health worldwide we need to take kindness seriously as a society.

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We have no idea what an individual is going through in their life, this one simple act to think before we speak and show kindness can have a huge impact on that individual.  The Pandemic is our
opportunity to do this, think of others, be kind and show acts of kindness.

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Think before we speak  to someone, place a comment on social media, or even email.

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It is also more important than ever in these strange times to be kind to yourself too. In these unprecedented times, especially, self care is vital. Whether you need time out alone or someone to talk to its important to listen to yourself and take the action needed. And remember its ok not to be ok and to ask for help. MPI has dedicated mental health first aiders who are on hand if you need to talk to someone but you don't know who or this page on the NHS website gives some other helpful numbers dedicated to specific issues https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines/