EPIC Risk Management is celebrating Mental Health Awareness Week 2022
Throughout our organisation, the sense of isolation that is felt when problem gambling grips an individual is known all too well for our team members with lived experience, so we’re proud to offer our support to Mental Health Awareness Week’s 2022 theme of ‘Loneliness’.
Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, the UK’s national week to raise awareness of mental health is in its 22nd year and runs from 9th – 15th May.
Across the country, people will be reflecting on loneliness and how it impacts our mental health. Long-term loneliness is closely linked to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.
In the UK, EPIC Risk Management’s wellbeing working group – who are working on their vision to create a positive, inclusive, and authentic workplace culture and implementing a successful wellbeing strategy – will be announcing their new initiative ‘Time to Talk’, encouraging employees to take time out of their working weeks to check in with their colleagues; of whom 50% have lived through their own experiences of gambling harm and mental health.
Throughout the week, EPIC Risk Management will be participating in the Mental Health Foundation’s #IveBeenThere conversation, sharing short stories and experiences of loneliness to support others. As an organisation, EPIC know the devastation that is caused by mental illness and addiction.
EPIC’s lived experience team understand first-hand the struggles of loneliness and mental health and in their roles, deliver their inspirational stories to communities across the globe to prevent gambling-related harm, reduce stigma and raise awareness of addiction and its accompanying effects on mental health. Sharing lived experience can make a huge difference to others.
Mark Rowland, chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation, is hoping that the awareness week will encourage those feeling isolated to reach out for help, or for others to offer it to those in need, explaining:
“We hope this year’s theme of loneliness will strike a chord with many of us who felt lonely and struggled throughout the Covid pandemic.
“Millions of us experience loneliness from time to time. We know that some people are at higher risk of experiencing loneliness and the evidence shows the longer we feel lonely, the more we are at risk of mental health problems.
“Loneliness deserves more attention and we’re calling on everyone who has struggled as a result of being lonely to share their experiences. We must work together – as individuals, as a society and through government policy – to reduce loneliness and prevent mental health problems by investing in welcoming, social spaces and new community initiatives.”
Some of the ways people can participate in Mental Health Awareness Week:
● During Mental Health Awareness Week use the hashtag #IveBeenThere to share experiences of loneliness to support others and give the campaign momentum.
● Sign up to walk, run or job as part of our 80 Miles in May challenge and share your photos using #80MilesinMay and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek.
For more information about this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week visit mentalhealth.org.uk/mhaw or join the conversation on social media using #IveBeenThere and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek.
