Mental Health Solicitors

Bristol City Council is to mark Mental Health Awareness Week beginning on Monday 8 May with a series of events marking Five Days of Wellbeing.

The council says the week will raise awareness about the little things that people can do every day to improve mental and emotional health.

The Five Days will be based around the principles that connecting, being active, taking notice, learning and giving can help everyone get more out of life.

The council has teamed up with NHS Bristol Clinical Commissioning Groups (Bristol CCG), Bristol Mental Health, Missing Link, Second Step, St Mungo’s, Bristol Anti Stigma Alliance (BASA), Community Access Support Service and others to promote the wellbeing message.

Activities will be taking place across the city based around a different theme each day – from a gardening project where local people can connect with others while planting sunflowers, to a mindful walk around the historic docks, as well as a treasure hunt at Blaise Castle, learning workshops and skills swaps. The council says the week will offer a wide variety of different experiences open to everyone – and encourage conversation about mental wellbeing.

Director of Public Health at Bristol City Council, Becky Pollard, said:

“Most of us know that eating five pieces of fruit and veg a day is good for us, but not so many people know about the five simple ways to improve our mental health.

“Prevention is so important and good mental health is something that needs to be maintained and worked on – we want to see mental health put on the same footing as physical health, so we all know how to look after our minds.

“Simple changes can make a world of difference – and it is fantastic to be working with so many different partners to get this message across.

“I’d encourage as many people as possible to get involved with the Five Days of Wellbeing and find out what it’s all about.”

Alongside the main events, local people are being invited to host their own events in their communities based around the different themes – schools are also being encouraged to get involved.

Clinical Chair of Bristol CCG, Martin Jones, added:

“One in four people will experience mental health distress during their lifetime and it can affect anyone, from any walk of life.

“By dedicating Mental Health Awareness Week to the Five Ways of Wellbeing, we are encouraging people to take small steps that can make a difference to their mental and emotional health.

“The people in our lives – from family and friends, to colleagues and neighbours – are incredibly important to our wellbeing and help protect and sustain our mental health.

“Providing effective and responsive mental health services to meet the needs of the local population is a priority for Bristol Clinical Commissioning Group, and there are lots of local services available to help you.”

Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors

Duncan Lewis is the UK’s largest provider of Legal Aid mental health services and can advise mental health patients on a wide range of issues – including access to NHS mental health services and detention under the Mental Health Act.

Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors regularly visit NHS hospitals to advise on mental health law – and are available across England and Wales at short notice for hospital and police station appointments.

In some cases, Duncan Lewis mental health solicitors may be able to advise the nearest relative or carer of a mental health patient on a range of issues, including initiating treatment reviews where appropriate.

For expert legal advice on mental health law, call the Duncan Lewis Mental Health Solicitors Helpline on 020 3114 1124.