Happy Mental Health Awareness Week! 💛 #MHAW

Comments

• Options

  Millie2787 Community Champion Posts: 5,159 Part of The Furniture

  May 13

  For once This is a theme I really don’t agree with. Physical movement isn’t something everyone can do and for it to be a theme of an awareness week I just think isn’t right.
  
  For example when someone’s in crisis one of the favourite things they like to say is “Go for a walk”. For someone who’s in a flare of deep depression or chronic pain movement may not be an option for them.
  
  For wheelchair users … the world isn’t exactly accessible for them to be getting out and moving. They might not have access to a blue badge or suitable housing to be able to get out etc.
  
  I dunno if it’s me just being pedantic but this years theme just feels like it’s potentially bordering on ableism.

  Sometimes all you need is one person to believe in you , for you to begin to believe in yourself.

  6
• Options

  Gemma Community Manager Posts: 691 Incredible Poster

  May 14 edited May 14

  Hey @Millie2787, thank you for posting and you raise some good points.
  
  Like you say, many people are wrongfully told that things like taking a bath or doing more exercise will bring them out the depths of depression or crisis - which alone isn't ever the case. I think what the Mental Health Foundation is aiming for this year though is to focus on the lighter wellbeing benefits of any sort of movement & they make note that this is not an exercise campaign. Their goal with the campaign is to help people find moments for movement to support good mental health and emotional calm.
  
  In terms of improving our day to day wellbeing, any kind of movement has been proven to have many health benefits, particularly improving our mental wellbeing. I think there’s been a particular focus on this recently as in the aftermath of the pandemic more people are working and studying from home and so it can be helpful to ensure we're building some sort of movement into our daily routines.
  
  You raise a really good point around accessibility that I can relate to though. If I can just lean on some personal experience here, I thought of my partner immediately when this campaign was announced. I’m a carer to my partner who suffers from a chronic condition and has daily struggles including chronic fatigue, chronic pain, and when in a flare-up, he can find it difficult to even get out of bed, let alone leave the house or go for a walk. I've seen him in the pits with both his physical health and mental health. And of course in those moments of crisis or flares, movement isn't always an option and isn’t something that would necessarily help.
  
  However, building in movement to his daily routine has been crucial on his road to remission. On his difficult days, this can just be stretches in bed, chair exercises, or walking to the courtyard of our flat and back. Building in movement to his days, no matter how small, has been so critical to improving the way he feels about himself, and the act of moving even a little can really make him feel even a little bit lighter. I know this is just his story though - we're all different and different things will work for different people.
  
  We know though that even doing small movements like stretches isn't possible for everyone, at all times. And you're right that part of living with a chronic condition and/or a disability often involves navigating inaccessible systems. My partner has experienced SO many barriers - from inaccessibilities in school, university, work, and health systems. In terms of movement, when our lift isn't working in our flat, sometimes it's not possible for him to use the stairs when he's particularly fatigued and so he can't get out for movement. We live in London and it can be a long way to travel to green space which can be a barrier too.
  
  I was just reading Tyler's story here from Mental Health UK on how accessibility is the main barrier to movement - he's a wheelchair user and physical activity has brought a sense of balance in his life and has really helped improve his wellbeing. But he's faced so many barriers to continue doing what he loves, such as gyms not being particularly accessible. Unfortunately it's a sad truth that society has a long way to go to break down some of those barriers.
  
  I think what I would say is that the main aim of this year's MHAW campaign, notwithstanding those barriers, is to showcase many people's stories for how movement (of any kind, no matter how small) can in many cases positively improve our wellbeing on that day-to-day level. But I agree that your points around accessibility and navigating barriers to movement is something that should be discussed amongst this campaign and I do believe there is space for that discussion here.

  Post edited by Gemma on May 14

  4
• Options

  sinead276 Posts: 1,100 Wise Owl

  May 15

  Happy Mental Health Awareness Week
  
  I definitely see both sides of this argument - whilst I understand the promotion of movement as a means of boosting well-being and mental health, I can also see how for some, movement is something with barriers in the way that may prevent them from doing it to the same extent as others.
  
  But I think ultimately as long as we do things that can benefit our mental health, it doesn't matter what form it takes. It's our own personal journeys with mental health and although research suggests potential avenues to go down for improving mental health, it is never a 'one size fits all' approach.
  
  So I say to move or not to move? that is the question 😂. But either way, remember that your mental health is YOUR mental health, and do what's best for you in ensuring it is protected as well as it can be
  
  Sending big hugs to you all
  Sinead

  4