A local mental health charity, Guernsey Mind, is launching a festive campaign aimed at supporting individuals struggling with mental health challenges during the holiday season.
The campaign, titled You Are Not Alone, will run from the end of November through January, focusing on equipping people with the tools to offer support to others who may be facing difficulties during this time. The initiative seeks to raise awareness about how to approach conversations with those experiencing mental health struggles and provide guidance on where to seek help.
Throughout the island, Guernsey Mind will distribute information in the form of posters, stickers, and cards, all of which will include important contact details for local support services.
Jo Cottell, Chief Executive of Guernsey Mind, emphasized the importance of communication, stating, “We all know how important it is to talk, but sometimes it’s difficult to know what to say or how to react, especially when someone confides that they’re struggling or facing challenges.”
As part of the campaign, the charity will also offer free mental health awareness training sessions. These sessions are particularly aimed at individuals in professions where they frequently interact with the public, such as hairdressers, taxi drivers, and sports coaches.
Cottell explained, “Our 90-minute training sessions will address common signs and symptoms of poor mental health, provide guidance on effective listening, and give practical advice on how to respond when someone opens up to you. Most importantly, we will guide participants on how to refer individuals for further support.”
The mental health charity is encouraging anyone who interacts with the public regularly to take advantage of this free training, which aims to provide valuable knowledge on recognizing and responding to mental health issues.
Cottell concluded, “We are thrilled to offer this training at no cost to those who engage with people and believe they would benefit from gaining a deeper understanding of mental health.”
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