To celebrate World Mental Health Day 2023, which took place on Tuesday 10 October 2023, our offices took part in a painting class lunch. The lunch was hosted by our team of Mental Health First Aiders.

Getting out our paints and brushes (and covering our clothes in the event of paint accidents) we painted some of these lovely pictures and by doing so, hopefully reduced some of our anxiety and stress. The sandwiches and cakes also helped!

Since the 1900’s, art therapy has helped thousands of people address a range of mental health symptoms.  Numerous studies have shown that drawing and art can minimise anxiety, reduce stress and uplift your mood.  You don’t even have to be artistic, colouring in can have the same effect.

By putting brush to canvas, or pencil to paper, you focus on the here and now, giving yourself space from unwanted, uncontrollable thoughts.  The art completely takes over.  You are completely focused on the creative process and therefore not on the negative thoughts, which are associated with anxiety.

Also it can be fun! Particularly if you can do it with friends.

World Mental Health Day is a day to talk about mental health and show everyone that mental health matters. It’s also a day to let people know that it’s okay to ask for help, no matter what you’re going through.

Tips for talking about your mental health:

1. Choose someone you trust to talk to

This might be a friend, family member or a colleague. Or you might be more comfortable talking to someone you don’t know, for example, through a support helpline. It can help to do a pros and cons list about talking to someone.

2. Think about the best place to talk

It’s important to choose a place where you feel comfortable enough to open-up. You might want to choose somewhere private where you’re less likely to be disturbed. You also might want to talk while you do an activity, like walking together.

3. Prepare yourself for their reaction

Hopefully, you will have a good experience when you open-up to someone. But there’s a chance that they may not react in the way you hope. This may be for different reasons, like they may be worried or not fully understand at first.  If that’s the case, try to give them time to process what you’ve told them. It might help to give them information to read to help them understand. And don’t forget to be kind to yourself and practise self-care.