​​​​​​​Bolton’s doing its bit for World Mental Health Day 

Thursday, 8th Oct 2020

World Mental Health Day this Saturday (10th October), aims to raise awareness of the issues surrounding mental health.

Bolton Council is urging staff, partner organisations and the local community to train to become mental health aware.

From October onwards, Bolton Council is offering free training courses to their staff to ‘Become Mental Health Aware’ or ‘Become A Mental Health First Aid Champion’ which helps staff know how to spot the signs for early help and support. 

The council is also working with Greater Manchester Health and Social Partnership and Tameside, Oldham and Glossop Mind to launch the Connect5 mental wellbeing training programme.

This targets Bolton’s partner businesses, third sector organisations and communities to upskill their staff and volunteers to better understand and successfully address mental health issues. 

Community trainers will deliver the Conect5 wellbeing training to anyone who feels they would benefit from it in their role to support others such as hairdressers, taxi drivers, community groups, managers, clinicians, landlords, support workers and volunteers and details on this will be announced soon. 

This year’s World Mental Health Day is more important than ever as people are struggling with the effects of the Covid.

Bolton Council and its partners are already delivering initiatives supporting positive mental health and have published the following guide https://drive.google.com/drive/folders/1L2wPICpBy-wadLdAhquYZvrpdJRP1Qrc?usp=sharing

Even the most stoical people are finding it hard to cope with the added pressures of working and living with the threat of Covid and the isolation it brings.

It affects everyone, young and old alike, including parents, pupils and students, business owners, health and care sector staff and key workers, employees working from home or in new and different customer facing environments.

People may feel extremely distressed and not able to cope, being worried about their jobs, loss of income and possible effects it may have on their families and home and financial security.

They may also be struggling to cope with the grief of losing a loved one and some may already live with challenging mental health conditions. 

Bolton Council’s Executive Member for Wellbeing, Cllr Susan Baines, said: “This year is a particularly difficult time for us all as we adapt to living with Covid restrictions and the isolation that results. 

“In normal times up to a fifth of people may have to overcome significant mental challenges and this year is more challenging than usual and we want people to join a course and become mental health aware so they can protect themselves, their family, and friends.

“Mental wellbeing is everyone’s business and we can all make a difference to individuals by having timely and positive conversations.

“Remember it’s okay to feel alone, anxious and stressed but if you or someone you know is struggling please ask for help as there is professional support available.” 

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