Last week the ProspectSoft team got involved in Mental Health Awareness Week. Run by the Mental Health Foundation, a week in May is dedicated to showing support. Each year, a new theme helps raise awareness for different mental health challenges people face. This year’s topic is loneliness – something that many people will have been affected by during the pandemic and with the rise of working from home.

Mark Rowland, CEO of the charity, has revealed that since the Covid-19 pandemic, loneliness is 3 times the level it was pre-pandemic, with 1 in 4 adults feeling lonely some or all of the time. These hard hitting stats indicate the importance of shining a light on loneliness. He defines loneliness as “the feeling we experience when there is a mismatch between social connections we have and those that we need or want.” Studies have found that loneliness is one of the key indicators of poor mental health, and that being connected to others in a way that makes us feel valued is fundamental to our wellbeing. The intention of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is to raise awareness and reduce the stigma around loneliness so that we can all normalise the topic and not be ashamed to ask for help.  

How ProspectSoft has been getting involved?

1. Badges to Support the Mental Health Foundation 

Getting green ribbon pin badges sent out to the whole team was a great way for us to donate to the Mental Health Foundation, but also served as a great reminder for each and every team member to think more about how they can protect their mental health. The team have proudly worn these badges and felt it was a great way of coming together to show support and connect! 

2. Building Awareness via Socials

To further raise awareness of the cause, our Instagram and Facebook platforms have been packed full of great resources and advice. Each day, we’ve posted about a different charity whose cause is centred around supporting mental health. The likes of Mind, Mental Health Foundation, Samaritans, Nightline and CALM are incredible charities that make a huge difference to those in need every day.

3. Dedicated Time for Employee Mental Health

To honour the week, all members of the team were given additional time off to do something positive to contribute towards positive mental health. Whether it be walking, going on a run, reading a book - or just taking some time to slow down - the time gave us all a chance to reflect and take a break from our screens.

What can you do if you feel lonely?

1 in 5 of us hide our feelings of loneliness. The Mental Health Foundation have created a page for people to open up about their feelings of loneliness and offer advice based on their own experience to show just how normal these feelings are. The charity have also shared some positive actions to take if you are struggling with this:

• Do something enjoyable that will keep you busy
• Do something that will stimulate your mind
• Do a physical activity
• Engage with people you meet in daily life
• Find people that ‘get you’
• Spend time with pets
• Use social media in a positive way
• Talking therapies