It is Mental Health Awareness week from the 16 – 22 May. The theme for 2016 Mental Health Awareness week is Relationships. Healthy and supportive relationships reduce the risk of mental ill-health. This Mental Health Awareness Week we are focusing on the connections, the relationships, the people in our lives that add to our wellbeing and protect and sustain our mental health. From family and friends, to colleagues and neighbours; taking notice of those connections that make you feel safe and supported.

As well a healthy diet or exercise, strong social networks and connections that improve our mental wellbeing. Mental Health Awareness Week 2016 is all about recognising this, and thanking the people that support you, reaching out to those who you can listen to and help, and campaigning to ensure that decision makers start addressing the barriers that stop people forming such important relationships.

In Mental Health Awareness week why not hold an event to start a conversation and get people thinking about mental health. The Mental Health Foundation have a lot of great ideas as to how you can get people talking, they also have free resources to support your event you can find these here: mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week/get-involved

Connect is one of the Six Ways to Wellbeing for some simple and quick ways to connect and help to build relationships see our quick tips below:

Mental Health Awareness Week is being promotion by the Mental Health Foundation to find out more and how to get involved go to: www.mentalhealth.org.uk

For more on why this years theme is relationships go to: www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week/why-relationships

Twitter hashtag: #MHAW16.