Last week was Mental Health Awareness week 2021. This year's theme was all about how nature can improve your mental health and the importance of being able to #ConnectWithNature. 

In addition to providing resources on ways anindividual can #ConnectWithNature and improve their mental health, the Preston-based not for profit, Breathe Therapies launched their own campaign entitled #BreathOfFreshAir. The campaign aimed to encourage those struggling to ask for help and focused on how the feeling of relief once making the first step is like a 'breath of fresh air'.

Breathe included several testimonials from those who have recovered from eating disorders and mental illness about how it felt when they asked for support for the first time. These testimonials were shared throughout mental health awareness week. 

The first comment of the week came from the organisation’s Clinical Director and Nurse Specialist Shelley Perry, who opened up about her experience of recovering from an eating disorder and mental illness (before training to become a nurse). She explained: “Getting the support I needed and the understanding from professionals and church felt like a breath of fresh air. Recovery felt like I could breathe again." 

Breathe Therapies’ ambassador April Banbury also provided an account of her journey to recovery: “I remember when I reached out for help for the first time, I was so nervous. However, once I made that first step it felt like a massive weight had be lifted off my shoulders. Just like being in nature, I felt like a weight had been lifted, like I had taken my first breath of fresh air." 

Theorganisationended the week by sharing an inspiring message from an ex-client who explained: "...taking that first step, that first and difficult step allows you to be able to breathe, when I finally spoke about even a little of what I was hiding; that thing inside couldn’t squash me anymore and my lungs filled with air, the tightness around my body released ever so lightly and I could breathe, life could finally flow through my blood again…"

Breathe Therapies continues toadvocateand raise awareness for mental health and stresses that the conversation on mental health needsto continue beyond the awareness week, emphasising that this week and every week after, mental health matters.

Breathe Therapies want to encourage individuals to take that first step to start their journey of recovery. For more information on how they can help you or a loved one, you can call them at 01772 915735.