An annual County-wide event to help raise awareness amongst young people about mental health and mental health stigma is set to take place on Friday 9th February.
As part of the NHS and Northamptonshire County Council Mental Health Stigma Programme (MHSP); Northamptonshire schools will be taking part in mental health awareness day by getting involved in activities to raise awareness of mental health stigma in lots of interesting, fun and inclusive ways.
And to ‘kick-off’ the lead-up to Northamptonshire’s Mental Health Awareness Day, Tessa Parkinson - one of the Programme Managers for MHSP in Northamptonshire - has been challenged to visit as many schools as possible before the day.
She started on Saturday (20 January), from Sixfields, and Tessa will be visiting over 70 schools, getting an MHSP overall stamped by students, having photos taken with staff and pupils/students and delivering key mental health messages and resources for schools to use on February 9.
Northampton Town Football Club is proudly supporting the campaign and welcomed schools from across the county at the Milton Keynes Dons Game on Saturday 20 January. They presented awards to those who have demonstrated their commitment to improving mental health in their schools.
Tessa Parkinson, Programme Manager at the Mental Health Stigma Programme, said “We all have mental health and mental health needs. It’s just that some of us can meet our own needs and others need help or support – and that’s ok. Mental health is everyone’s business and it’s our business to change people’s views and perspectives to reduce mental health stigma. I am really looking forward to visiting so many schools in the lead-up to the day and am encouraged by the number of schools getting involved. We would also like to take this opportunity to say thank you to Northampton Town Football Club for their support and commitment to reducing mental health stigma in Northamptonshire.”
Kelvin Thomas, Chairman of Northampton Town Football Club added, “We are proud to support the Mental Health Stigma Programme. No one, of any age, should feel alone or without help. It is not a sign of weakness to ask for help or support, at times in our lives we all need some help and support and we are pleased to help with this campaign.”