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Mental Health Awareness Week 2022 with Birmingham Mind at Bullring
Via East Village for Birmingham Mind
This week: The Bull a much-loved Birmingham landmark at Bullring (Bullring and Grand Central), will be out of public view all of this week, as part of a Mental Health Awareness Week campaign. Teaming up with NHS Birmingham and Solihull, Birmingham Mind and Living Well UK, Bullring is encouraging people to be totally open about their mental health state with No Bull.
The famous statue first unveiled in September 2003, the third most photographed landmark in Britain – has vanished this week, in a bid to remind people to use No Bull when talking about their mental health. Instead, the Bull is cased in a box, signposting people to places to ask for help in managing their mental health and finding support.
One in four of us experiencing significant mental health difficulties each year and this year’s campaign is designed to encourage people to be open about the feelings they face, helping to remove the stigma around speaking out.
While the Bull may be missing, Bullring has gained a new addition, in the form of a Wellbeing Drop-In Hub. Headed up by Birmingham Mind, in collaboration with NHS Birmingham and Solihull and Living Well UK, the Hub is open from 10am-4pm until Saturday 14th May, giving passers-by the ability to drop in and chat. The Hub – located in the former GAP retail unit – has a host of friendly experts available to talk. Whether you’re looking to have a quick chat about services available; or to ask for advice and support: the team is there to offer a helping hand and a listening ear.
Commenting on the collaboration for Mental Health Awareness Week, Helen Wadley, CEO of Birmingham Mind said:
We’re so pleased to be working with the Bullring team this Mental Health Awareness Week, and I’m sure we can all agree that it’s time for ‘No Bull’ when talking about wellbeing. Since the launch of our one-stop mental health phone line for residents of Birmingham and Solihull during the first Covid lockdown, we’ve seen an ever-increasing incline in calls, which we hope is a sign that people are feeling more confident, secure, and ready to reach out than ever before.
Mental health doesn’t discriminate and you – or those around you – may be struggling with more bad days than good. For anyone who wants to talk about the challenges they are facing, be assured that our team is friendly, supportive, and they want to hear from you.
There is help out there, and most importantly, it is free, accessible, and available to you today. Whether you’re in the Bullring and want to see us; would rather type your feelings via our Live Web Chat; or speak over the phone, at any time of the day: we’re here to talk.”
The suite of services available at the Wellbeing Drop-In Hub are provided by trained specialists from Birmingham Mind, who are there to talk and offer advice – whether it’s information on how to improve low mood or support if they are experiencing a crisis. The partners hope that this week-long campaign will highlight the services that are provided by Birmingham Mind, NHS CCG and Living Well UK all year round, which give those in the region access to immediate mental health support.
Lisa Stalley-Green, Deputy Chief Executive and Chief Nursing Officer, NHS Birmingham and Solihull concluded:
We can all have struggles with our mental health. Just like with our physical health, we can benefit from taking the time to care for our wellbeing. One of the best things we can do is to share how we are feeling. No matter what we are going through, talking to those around us – whether that’s a friend, family member or colleague – can really help to improve our mental health during difficult times.
This isn’t always easy, and that’s okay, because thanks to our local mental health helpline there will always be someone to listen and help.
If you want to talk, or know someone who could benefit from support, our mental health helpline is open 24 hours a day, seven days a week. If you pick up the phone today, or join us on webchat, you’ll be speaking to our caring and professional colleagues who can provide advice, resources and explain how various services provided by the NHS and specialist other organisations could help you.”
The Bull will be covered until the end of 15th May. To seek mental health and wellbeing advice, support, counselling or mental health crisis support, call the 24/7 helpline on 0121 262 3555. You can also visit the Wellbeing Hub in Bullring from 10am to 4pm Saturday 14th May at the former GAP unit.
Discover more about Birmingham Mind here: birminghammind.org
