Tackling Mental Health

As part of our ongoing Tackling Health Inequalities Programme, the Beacon Community Charity Foundation responded to the growing demand for mental health awareness by hosting a series of comprehensive training workshops.

These sessions aimed to provide individuals and charitable organisations with essential knowledge and skills to better understand and support mental health issues.

Workshop Topics Covered

Understanding Mental Health: Participants gained insights into the concepts of mental illness and mental health, distinguishing between the two and understanding common misconceptions.
Causes of Mental Health Issues: The workshops discussed the various factors contributing to mental health challenges, including biological, psychological, and environmental influences.
Impact of Stigma, Discrimination, and Stress: The detrimental effects of stigma, discrimination, and stress on mental health were explored, highlighting the importance of addressing societal attitudes and providing support.
Improving Mental Health and Supporting Others: Practical strategies for enhancing mental well-being and supporting others in times of need were discussed, empowering participants to take proactive steps towards better mental health.

Key Takeaway

The 5 Ways to Wellbeing

A central theme of the training workshops was the “5 Ways to Wellbeing,” which is a set of evidence-based actions that promote mental wellbeing:

Connecting with People: Fostering meaningful relationships and social connections.
Being Active: Engaging in regular physical activity to boost mood and reduce stress.
Taking Notice: Practising mindfulness and being aware of one's thoughts, feelings, and surroundings.
Keep Learning: Continuously seeking opportunities for personal and professional growth.
Giving Back: Volunteering time and resources to support others in the community.

Participant Feedback

Attendees found the workshops highly informative and thanked the Beacon Community Charity Foundation for addressing their need for mental health training. They addressed the importance of organising more sessions for grassroots communities. They also advocated for the training of community influencers such as religious leaders, councillors, and community centre managers. Suggestions for separate sessions curated specifically for women’s mental health needs were made.

Message from Chairman

☆☆☆☆☆ 5/5

“We all have mental health. Good and poor mental health will look different for different people. It is important to remember that we can recover from poor mental health or illness.
Don't think you are alone.
Support from friends, family, and community organisations is important for recovery and don’t forget that professional help is available when and if needed.”