Highland project aims to help with mental health issues
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A NEW project which aims to help mental health is being launched in the Highlands.
The Think Health Think Nature’s Pop It On A Postcard campaign encourages people from all over the north to get out into nature, and to write or draw about how it helps their wellbeing. The project runs throughout Green Health Week from May 8-16 – and also coincides with Mental Health Awareness Week.
Completed cards will be scanned or photographed and sent in to be displayed in a virtual exhibition with prizes of book and food vouchers on offer for different ages, including primary, secondary, young adult and adult.
Ailsa Villegas, senior development officer for green health at NHS Highland, said: "It has been great to have nature as a central theme to this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week. Time in nature is known to help with stress, improve sleep and reduce the symptoms of depression.
"We wanted to create an activity that would be accessible to all, regardless of where we may be on the route-map out of Covid. We hope this creative writing exercise will help to demonstrate how nature has played a valuable role in helping us to cope through what has been a challenging year."
Throughout the week, Think Health Think Nature will be sharing top tips on its social media channels for ways to connect with nature to improve mental wellbeing. The partnership has also pulled together a collection of resources on its website offering ideas, advice and guidance.
Steve Walsh, the chief executive of High Life Highland said: "I am delighted to support this fantastic initiative. Time spent outdoors is great for both our physical and mental wellbeing. As High Life Highland services re-open and visitors and staff return, Pop It On A Postcard provides an opportunity to reflect.
"Our collective experiences will provide comfort and raise awareness of the valuable contribution time in nature has made to our wellbeing. Look out for the postcards in some of our High Life Highland services across Highland."
Think Health Think Nature is part of a programme being delivered by the Highland Green Health Partnership which is aiming to encourage more people to make use of their local green and blue spaces as part of Our Natural Health Service.
There is evidence to show that regular participation in some form of outdoor activity brings improved health and well-being benefits by reducing social isolation and stress, improving physical inactivity and promoting improved mental well-being.
The partnership is supported nationally by NatureScot, Forest and Land Scotland, NHS Health Scotland, Transport Scotland. Local partners include NHS Highland, High Life Highland, The Cairngorms National Park Authority, The Highland Council, Paths for All, Highland Third Sector Interface and the University of the Highlands and Islands.
Members of the public can pick up the postcards from the High Life Highland Botanical Gardens in Inverness as well as libraries, leisure centres and other community hubs across the Highlands – or can download a digital copy at: www.thinkhealththinknature.scot/greenhealthweek
For more information, visit www.thinkhealththinknature.scot or follow Think Health Think Nature on Facebook, Twitter and Instagram.
