Organisations across Sefton are championing the benefits of the great outdoors during Mental Health Awareness Week (10-16 May), as well as sharing resources and services to help residents boost their mental health.

The theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is ‘nature’. Sefton Council, NHS South Sefton Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) and NHS Southport and Formby CCG are sharing a video encouraging residents to get outdoors and reap the health benefits of the borough’s bounty of beauty spots.

Sefton boasts outstanding green spaces such as Formby nature reserve, Rimrose Valley Country Park, many golf clubs and local parks throughout the borough. There are also miles of beautiful coastal trails and beaches stretching from Waterloo in the south to Marshside in the north.

Fiona Taylor, chief officer of the CCGs in Sefton, said: “Spending time outdoors in green spaces, or bringing nature indoors into your home environment, can be of huge benefit to your mental health and wellbeing. We are lucky that, in Sefton, we are surrounded by fantastic  scenery that ranges from wide ocean views and coastal trails to local parks, trees and roadside planting in urban areas.

“Spending time in nature can help us stay physically active, connect us with other people and give us opportunities to learn new skills. It can also be useful to help us practice mindfulness, by paying more attention to the present moment, to our thoughts and feelings, and to the world around us. All of these can help positively change our mood and protect our mental health.”

Cllr Ian Moncur, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing said: “From our stunning dunes to our leafy parks, Sefton is a borough bursting with nature. During this past year we’ve seen more people than ever spending time at these amazing spaces, reflecting on these challenging times but finding comfort from a connection with nature.  

“I know that for many of our residents, daily walks have kept them going and many have found beautiful places right on their doorstep that they hadn’t realised were so close to home.

“Spending time outdoors has been shown to really promote good mental health and I would encourage everyone to take a moment this week whether it’s listening to birdsong from your window or walking with a friend down your street to appreciate nature and talk about your mental health.”

As well as connecting with nature, there are many other activities and services across Sefton that are available to those seeking help or support with mental health concerns at any time. Many of these services in Sefton will be sharing advice, tips and resources on social media using the hashtag #SeftonInMind throughout the week.

Talking Matters Sefton, Sefton’s talking therapies service, is launching its first online workshop this month, focusing on ‘coping with low mood and depression’ for those aged over 16. You can find out more by calling 0300 303 2708 or online at: www.mhm.org.uk/talking-matters-sefton

Sefton Council for Voluntary Services (CVS), is using Mental Health Awareness Week to promote ‘walking for health’. It is asking Sefton residents to share photos on social media of ‘things that make them smile’ on their local walks, using the #SeftonInMind hashtag.

You can search for the #SeftonInMind online and follow the Sefton Council and Sefton CCGs on social media to see more content about Mental Health Awareness Week here:

Sefton Council: Facebook: www.facebook.com/onesefton  Twitter: @seftoncouncil

NHS South Sefton CCG Twitter: @NHSSSCCG

NHS Southport and Formby CCG Twitter: @NHSSFCCG

If you would like to find out more about the green spaces you can visit in Sefton, visit the Sefton Council website here: www.sefton.gov.uk/around-sefton/parks-and-greenspaces