Each year, on the 10th September, communities and organisations across the world unite to raise awareness and spread messages of hope on World Suicide Prevention Day. This year, our Touchstone colleague, Susan, has put together the following information to help raise awareness of suicide, its impacts and how we can create a world where fewer people die by suicide. Please note: this blog contains references to personal experiences
September is World Alzheimer's month. To mark this month, and continue to raise awareness around Alzheimer's, dementia, and memory loss in BME communities, a member of our BME Dementia Service has put together a short blog around their experiences with the group. During the pandemic, in September 2020, I read an online article about a café group in Leeds for South Asian elders who had Dementia. Noting the name
On Friday 7th July, third sector organisations will launch Being You Leeds, a new partnership to support people in Leeds to connect with others and stay well for longer. Being You Leeds will support Leeds residents, aged 16+, through three key ways: Running fun and welcoming wellbeing groups and activities, 7 days a week, including evenings and weekends, with activities chosen by group members. Providing training and awareness-raising sessions
As we approach the festive season, one of our Touchstone staff members, Shuria, takes a moment to shed light on the significance of Eid ul-Adha, which is an important religious observance for Muslims worldwide. Eid ul-Adha, translated as the "Festival of Sacrifice," is celebrated on the 10th day of Dhul Hijjah, the twelfth and final month of the Islamic lunar calendar. It follows the completion of the annual Holy
In a newly released report, Mentally Healthy Leeds, a Touchstone service, have undertaken research into the effects of the Cost of Living Crisis on the mental health of people in Leeds. Read on to find out more… This research looks at the effects of the ‘Cost of Living’ crisis on the mental health of people in Leeds, as well as trying to understand what forms of support were effective
Throughout June, Touchstone will be celebrating Pride Month. Our programme of events for staff contains a mix of fun, celebratory activities, alongside educational events aimed at raising awareness of how far we still have to go in ensuring everyone with LGBTQ+ identities can feel safe, valued, and respected in society. Our first event of the month has been to paint our bench at Touchstone House in the colours of
Mentally Healthy Leeds, a Touchstone service, have undertaken research into Disability In the Pandemic, asking "How has the pandemic specifically affected the lives and mental health of disabled people in Leeds?" Read on to find out more... This report looks into how disabled people have been particularly affected by the pandemic. We used a survey method to identify ways in which COVID and the policies and precautions associated with
This Mental Health Week, LMWS Coproduction Coordinator Beth shares her own experiences around getting mental health support and how you can join the Coproduction Network to make positive changes to mental health systems in Leeds. During Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 – and every other week! – Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service Coproduction Network are considering our own experiences with mental health difficulties. I’ve struggled with my mental health in
TW: References to physical experiences of severe anxiety. The theme for this Mental Health Awareness Week (15-21 May) is anxiety. As part of this week, Jenny, one of our Peer Support Workers with the Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service team, has shared their experiences with anxiety, how they manage it, and how their experiences help them in their role. My First Experiences of Anxiety My first experience of anxiety was
Our Leeds Mental Wellbeing Service's (LMWS) Inclusion Team have released impact reports on their last year of coproduction and peer support work. Drawing on all their work with volunteers, service users and members of the public, their reports highlight their achievements in improving mental health systems across Leeds and their vision for continuing this positive work in the upcoming year. Click the links below to find out more about