Suffolk Libraries is marking World Mental Health Day on Thursday 10 October by promoting five key ways the library service can improve your wellbeing.
Suffolk Libraries is constantly working to show people the wider value and impact of the library service and how almost everything offered by libraries – even the books! – can help people with their wellbeing.
Suffolk is one of the only library services with its own mental health and wellbeing team – offering a wide range of services, activities and information and signposting people to the many other organisations who can help.
World Mental Health Day is organised by the Mental Health Foundation and takes place on October 10th every year. It’s a chance for everyone to talk about mental health and ways which can help us all cope with life’s ups and downs. This year’s theme is workplace mental health - an area Suffolk Libraries have some specific projects in place to support.
Jane Cox, Suffolk Libraries Community Mental Health and Wellbeing Manager, said:
“Whether it’s in the workplace, a library or at home – talking about mental health and helping to support each one another’s wellbeing is vital. We all need some help at some point in our lives – whether that’s just someone to talk to or that helpful nudge towards one of the many national and local organisations who can help you. We’re getting behind Mental Health Day to remind everyone that organisations like Suffolk Libraries have a lot to offer and if you’re struggling why not make today the time to reach out to someone.”
Fit for Work: free support for staff wellbeing days for local employers
Fit for Work is part of Suffolk Libraries wider Moving Minds project funded by Arts Council England and offers Suffolk-based SMEs meeting room space within some of our libraries, free of charge for staff wellbeing events and away-days. Suffolk Libraries can also provide a free physical activity session and resources to support your staff and improve workplace wellbeing.
Any local business interested in finding out more about Fit for work can register their interest via our Fit for Work page.
Menopause & Me: resources and courses for local businesses
Suffolk Libraries Menopause & Me project, delivered in partnership with Suffolk Mind, offers a range of support for anyone going through the menopause and perimenopause – including specific support for employers.
One in 10 women who have been employed during the menopause have left work due to menopause symptoms, and eight out of 10 women say their employer hasn’t shared information, trained staff, or put in place a menopause absence policy.
Menopause & Me offers access to free employer training from Suffolk Mind and encourages employers to sign up to a Menopause pledge and access a range of free resources and support to help them create a more menopause friendly workplace. Menopause & Me is funded by the Department of Health & Social Care.
Signposting through SAGES
Suffolk Libraries works in partnership with Suffolk Mind and Suffolk Family Carers to deliver advice, guidance and emotional support service (SAGES).
SAGES is a partnership dedicated to supporting mental wellbeing in Suffolk. SAGES can help anyone worried about their own mental wellbeing or someone else’s. There are many services available locally and nationally which can offer support or information on a wide range of mental health and wellbeing issues. For more information visit our SAGES web section. SAGES is funded by the Mental Health Pooled fund provided by Suffolk County Council.
Improve your physical health with Moving Minds
Fitness sessions in the library? Another surprising service which Suffolk Libraries delivers is the Moving Minds programme supported by the National Lottery through Arts Council England.
Moving Minds has evolved from free online fitness sessions delivered during the pandemic to a now thriving programme offering physical fitness sessions for all ages and abilities both online and in the library. Plus, you can also borrow fitness equipment from the library! Our Fit for Work service is also part of Moving Minds.
Wellbeing sessions in libraries
Libraries are welcoming, accessible and non-judgemental places which can provide an ideal environment for a range of regular drop-in sessions and activities for people to come together to find support and someone to talk to. Open Space sessions run in eight of our libraries, and we also run Men Can Talk, Reading with Dementia, M-powered menopause support groups as well as Know Another alcohol awareness drop-ins and compassionate cafes for those struggling with bereavement. We also work with local wellbeing organisations to host a variety of workshops within our library spaces.
You can check out our wellbeing page and what’s on page to find out more.
Suffolk Libraries is also looking for volunteers to support its Moving Minds and Explore Together projects.
For more information about World Mental Health Day visit www.mentalhealth.org.uk.
