Ten ways to get involved with Mental Health Awareness Week in Bristol

Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from Monday, May 13 to Friday, May 18. Creating conversation, beating the stigma and fundraising for mental health charities, events begin in Bristol from Sunday, May 11.

Moments of Mass Mindfulness (MOMM) 

Starting the week off on May 11, Bristol Mindfulness‘ MOMM event invites participants to relax and connect through meditation and mindfulness. A free event on College Green, the event will be introduced by councillor Celia Phipps, the session begins at 12pm and will take place at the same time as thousands of MOMMs worldwide.

Tickets are available to reserve via at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/moments-of-mass-mindfulness-tickets

Autism and Mental Health Day

Social enterprise The Curly Hair Project, which supports people on the autistic spectrum, have created a full day of talks and videos at the Winter Garden Pavilions to help its people “learn about autism and how to improve mental health and wellbeing.”

The day is aimed at adults with autism, parents/carers of autistic children and anyone working with those who have autism.  The day begins at 9:30am and takes place on Sunday, May 11 in Weston-super-Mare.

Tickets range from £17.05 to £125.93 and are available at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/autism-and-mental-health-day-weston-super-mare-tickets

Desk-based yoga

For those stuck in the office, Horizon Live is streaming lunchtime desk yoga sessions to raise money for Bristol Mind.  Taking place on Tuesday, May 14, there are two free 30-minute classes to dial into via video or audio conference.

To get involved, go to www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/desk-based-yoga-tickets or email helloyogadad@gmail.com

Illustrate

Illustrate, Park Street’s shop-come-cafe, is hosting two events in aid of Mental Health Awareness Week.

On Wednesday, May 15 at 6pm, focusing on this years Mental Health Awareness theme: Body Image, Illustrate are hosting an exclusive exhibition, We are One of A Kind. Additionally, there will be a panel discussion, talks and a Q&A on “finding peace around food, weight and body image”, and afterwards guests will be invited to mingle and experience free massages, drinks and cakes.

On Thursday, May 16 the cafe/shop will host an evening of  workshops and speakers to encourage conversation regarding mental health, self care and body image.  In this event, guests can learn how to make body oil, macrame key rings and a personalised notebook. Mental health organisations Off the Record and Freedom of Mind will provide interactive areas as well.

Tickets are £35 and are available at www.illustrate.co.uk/collections/illustrate-presents/products/mentalhealthmattersbodypositivityevent. Tickets include drinks, cakes and a self-care goodie bag and all proceeds go to Off The Record.

Let’s Talk About Body Image

On Wednesday, May 15, Off The Record and Community Access Support Service invites Bristol residents to talk about body image.

Discussion will centre around how mental health can be worsened by body image pressure and how ideals change.  Hosted at 8-10 West Street, the event will encourage participants to share views, perspectives and solutions while signposting local services.

The free event takes place 3:45pm to 5:15pm and tickets are available to reserve www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/lets-talk-about-body-image-mental-health-awareness-week-2019-tickets

Nu:Motive x SlamJam at Blue Mountain

Nu:Motive x SlamJam’s fundraiser at Blue Mountain is raising money for Bristol Mind. On Thursday, May 16, three of the biggest drum and bass artists add to a great lineup that will perform across two rooms. It’s a chance to get down to some of the best drum and bass and raise money for an important cause at the same time.

Tickets are £5 in advance from www.fixr.co/event/blue-mountain-mind or £10 on the door.

Mental Health Awareness Training

Employers are increasingly recognising the importance of good mental health among their employees. This Mental Health Awareness Week there are several opportunities to increase skills and knowledge surrounding mental wellbeing.

A two-day Mental Health First Aider training course provided by EDP Training on Wednesday, May 15 and Thursday, May 16 for £315 will take place at The Greenhouse in Bedminster from 9am until 5pm each day.

Tickets are available at www.eventbrite.com/e/become-a-mental-health-first-aider-certificated-2-day-course-tickets.

Alternatively, WECIL are running Mental Health Awareness Training on the Wednesday, May 15 at Barton Hill, from 9am to 5pm.

Tickets for the day cost £105 and are available at www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/mental-health-awareness-training-tickets.

Mental Health Mastermind

The Chartered Institute Of Business, Novus Bristol and CIAT aspirATion Wessex are hosting a pub quiz at The Drawbridge in central Bristol on the Thursday, May 16, with a grand prize of up to £5,000 and a raffle and charity auction on the night as well.

Rather than paying on the door, teams donate £10 per person (up to six in a team) to the Just Giving page. The event begins at 6:30pm and raises money for Mates in Mind, is a construction based mental health charity.

To get involved, go to www.justgiving.com/fundraising/ciob-ciat-pub-quiz

Bristol Mixer

On Friday, May 17 Sunrise Foundation is hosting an event Bristol Zoo Gardens. Their spring celebration is raising money for three Bristol-based charities: mental health charity Changes Bristol, Caring Bristol and KIDS.

Beginning at 6:30pm, guests can enjoy a range of events ,including a pub quiz , a three-course meal and dancing until midnight.

Tickets are £60 and available here at  www.eventbrite-bristol-mixer

Body Cons Body Love

Body Cons and Body Love is an exciting body-positive, nude photo shoot with Molly Forbes and Lottie Storey. At The Forge on Saturday May 18, ten local mothers accompanied by a female guest, will also enjoy a live podcast recording of Body Cons, talks and workshops in an “intimate, empowering bonding experience”.

Tickets are £53.89 and profits go to The Mental Health Foundation. Tickets are available at www.eventbrite.com/bodyconsbodylove

Main image illustration by Tanya Tong

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