If you are struggling with your mental health, there are a lot of places and people that can help. This World Mental Health Day, we are sharing info about the support Touchstone's mental health services offer and how you can access them. Take a look below to find out more about our Crisis Services, Group Support, Community-Based Support, Clinical Support, and Co-production and Peer Support: Crisis Services Touchstone offers
Our brilliant BME Dementia Service are really pleased to announce that our initiative has been shortlisted as one of three finalists and, as such, we will be presenting our initiative at the Alzheimer Europe Conference in Helsinki, Finland. The 2023 award call focused on projects, campaigns, films/videos or publications/books, which aim to address the stigma attached to dementia. In particular, it focused on initiatives and campaigns addressing the stigma
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