The countdown to Great Mental Health Day 2023 has started
We’re delighted to confirm that Great Mental Health Day is returning and will take place on Friday, 27 January 2023.
Sign up for Lambeth’s walk to mark the 2nd year of this London event, which this year celebrates community kindness. Read more here
https://www.lambethcollaborative.org.uk/16460
On the last Friday of January 2022, we marked London’s first ever Great Mental Health Day. Thousands of you across the capital came together to get each other talking about how you support your mental health and wellbeing and to celebrate the great services, groups and initiatives which are doing this locally.
More than 60 events took place across London, many of which were held in-person, involving local walks, coffee mornings and workshops. Read more about what happened in 2022.
Celebrating the power of community kindness
In a year that’s remained challenging for many of us, it has been our communities, friends and families which have played the most important role in in getting us through difficult times together. That’s why Great Mental Health Day 2023 will celebrate the power of community kindness and tell the story of how we’ve come together for one another across London.
With plans already taking shape for what promises to be an action packed day, we’re asking you to think about how you’d like to get involved and celebrate Great Mental Health Day 2023.
This could be holding a free event locally, getting people talking about wellbeing in your workplace, creating a space to make or share art, holding workshops, or an exercise class. All events organised for Great Mental Health Day will be advertised on our interactive map of London, allowing Londoners across the capital to search and find events they would like to attend.
The aim of Great Mental Health Day is to get us talking about our mental health and wellbeing and to help break that stigma that so often exists around the subject. It’s also an opportunity to share awareness of the local support services that are available.
Great Mental Health Day 2023 acts as a reminder that we can all do our bit to spread hope and kindness, and to help each other.
How do I get involved?
We have put together an introductory Great Mental Health Day campaign toolkit which we hope gives you time to consider how you might get involved with Great Mental Health Day, either leading up to the day or on Friday, 27 January 2023 itself.
We’d love to hear from you – so if you’re making plans for the day or have any questions, please get in touch. You can also explore our FAQs below.
You can help us raise awareness about Great Mental Health Day 2023 by spreading the word about the day with your families, friends, neighbours and colleagues. Or even just simply share your thoughts and plans on social media using #GreatMentalHealth.
Want to plan a Great Mental Health Day event but not sure where to start?
Great Mental Health Day tips
- Be as creative as you like! Great Mental Health Day events do not need to follow a specific format or idea, they are not intended to be restrictive. Essentially, the day is whatever you make it.
- Try and make your event inclusive. Events should be free to attend where possible and accessible.
- The aim of the day is to get us talking about our mental health and wellbeing. Think about what you like to do to keep yourself well. Is this something you could share with or teach others to do
- Are there any events you already run locally that you could hold on Great Mental Health Day 2023?
- This years GMHD 2023 aims to celebrate community and togetherness. Look for opportunities to create a safe space or opportunity for those in your local area to get together.
- Your events do not have to be held physically. Last year saw a mix of virtual and physical events, all which were well attended.
Inspiration and taking ideas from others
If you’re looking for inspiration for the type of event or initiative you might want to organise, below is a list of ideas and previous GMHD activities to give inspiration for your own:
- Organised group walk around the local area
- Yoga Class
- Coffee morning
- Painting class
- Group Meditation
- Mindful art workshop
- Organised safe space to discuss mental health and wellbeing challenges
- Organised tour of local mental health and wellbeing services available to you and your neighbours
- Drama workshop
- Open mic night event
- Local poetry competition
- Parent and baby exercise classes
- Pet therapy sessions
- Shared experience talks/panel discussions
- Art exhibition showing local artists
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is London’s Great Mental Health Day?
Great Mental Health Day is an awareness day with the aim of getting Londoners talking about mental health, to highlight the great support available, and, crucially, take the stigma out of asking for help when needed.
When is Great Mental Health Day?
Great Mental Health Day takes place annually on the final Friday of January. For 2023 this will be Friday, 27 January.
Who organises Great Mental Health Day?
The day began as a local celebration in the London Borough of Haringey before expanding to become a day of celebration for all Londoners, facilitated regionally by Thrive LDN and Good Thinking. The day is also supported by the NHS in London, London boroughs and London Councils, the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities – London, and the Mayor of London.
How do I host a Great Mental Health Day event?
Essentially, however you like! We just ask that all Great Mental Health Day events are free where possible and inclusive to everyone. Other than that, a Great Mental Health Day event is whatever you make it. You can read our list of tips and ideas.
The day is also designed to help support a showcase of other initiatives and resources too which we can include and link to from the interactive map.
Once you’ve organised your event, email the Thrive LDN team on [email protected] with the name of the event, location, time, and any other information about you or your organisation you’d like to include. From here, we will post it on our interactive event map for the day and events listings.
I’d like to organise a Great Mental Health Day event or initiative but I’m not sure where to start. Can you help?
Yes, we’d suggest you take inspiration and ideas from our list of tips and ideas. Also have a think about what is already happening on or around Friday, 27 January 2023 and if this could be adapted to support a Great Mental Health Day event or initiative. The day is also designed to help support a showcase of other initiatives and resources too which we can include and link to from the interactive map.
You can also send us an email at [email protected] and we will get back to you to have a chat through your plans and ideas.
How do I attend a Great Mental Health Day event?
You can use our interactive map to search and find events taking place near you or in any London borough on Great Mental Health Day. Online (virtual) events are listed in the Thrive LDN calendar too.
Can I use Great Mental Health Day to fundraise?
Great Mental Health Day is primarily designed as a collective, regional awareness day and is therefore not a fundraising day. We ask that all Great Mental Health Day events are free for those attending where possible. The day is also designed to help support a showcase of other initiatives and resources too which we can include and link to from the interactive map.
How do I let you know about my Great Mental Health Day plans?
You can let us know you’re planning or want to share by emailing [email protected] with the name of the event, location, time and any other information about you or your organisation you’d like to include and we will post it on our interactive event map for the day.
Can I order Great Mental Health Day printed promotional materials?
For sustainability reasons we won’t be producing printed materials or resources but we are planning to provide promotional materials which you can access for free in the coming week, such as downloadable posters, logos and social media graphics.
I have another question not listed here, who am I best speaking to?
The Thrive LDN team. You can contact the team and we will get back to you to have a chat through your plans and ideas.
Sign up for Lambeth’s walk to mark the 2nd year of this London event, which this year celebrates community kindness. Read more here
https://www.lambethcollaborative.org.uk/16460
