Local mental health charity, Dorset Mind has just announced the NEW ‘Courageous Conversations’ Conference that will shine the spotlight on the importance of talking about mental health. To be held for FREE and for the community, on 18th November2022 at Lighthouse in Poole; it falls close to International Men’s Day and within Men’s Mental Health Month – a very important audience when it comes to talking about mental health.
Why is it still SO difficult to speak about our wellbeing?
1 in 4 people in the UK will have a diagnosable mental health condition in their lifetime – and this is collated from data of the people that ARE accessing support. If this is so common, then what is stopping people in our local communities from seeking the help that they deserve?
In times where we are uncertain but are expected to constantly ‘stay strong’ and build resilience, it is clear to understand why so many people are struggling to express their feelings, especially with the added pressures of the cost-of-living crisis.
Importantly, 74% of UK deaths by suicide are men. And men notoriously struggle to speak about their feelings and emotions. We NEED to get our community talking and that might start with people that support men – their loved ones.
The Courageous Conversation Conference is for everyone. It’s for you if you simply want to learn how to tackle a conversation about mental health. It’s for a friend, family member or even amanager who might want to address those challenging conversations with a colleague – and it’s for you if you want to access support but don’t know where to begin.
Guided by Dorset Mind Works’ expert trainers and guest speakers, you can educate yourself about the stigma around mental health, suicide, and the power of talking and recovery.
All the charity asks is that you take away #onesmallaction from the Conference, to help provide support for yourself or someone within your local community.
This aim is in line with the Dorset Mind Works’ team promise to continue spreading awareness and help to educate individuals and communities to create a mentally healthy Dorset.
Linda O’Sullivan, Dorset Mind CEO explains, “An important part of what we do here at Dorset Mind is to educate about mental health conditions, signs and symptoms; however, we also try to use education to challenge the stigma of complex conditions we still too often see within our communities. And these issues are growing due to the impact of the cost-of-living crisis. By making mental health everyone’s business, we open the conversation up for us all to be involved. This has the effect of empowering people in Dorset to start talking more about mental health and the part they can play in their own recovery and wellbeing.”
Dr Andy Mayers, Patron for Dorset Mind and Principal Academic at Bournemouth University, said “We need to help more men to speak up about mental health. Traditionally, the masculine role in society is to keep quiet about such things. But all this does is internalise the mental health problem. This can then escalate to the point where the man is at even greater risk of suicide.
We need to change that and encourage to talk more openly about mental health and seek help. The sooner they do that, the sooner they can get the help they need.”
Lighthouse Chief Executive Elspeth McBain commented, “Lighthouse is delighted to sponsor Dorset Mind’s Mental Health Conference. We see mental health as one of our main priorities for our staff, volunteers, audiences, artists, young people and communities. As such, we are pleased to make strong partnerships with charities that can help us embed best practice around mental health and wellbeing.”
Steve Cuss, AFC Bournemouth Head of Community: “AFC Bournemouth are delighted to be supporting the Dorset Mind Conference. Having open discussions around Mental Health is important, as we look to support ourselves and others with a positive wellbeing. I’m looking forward to presenting and meeting the attendees at the conference, sharing some of the projects for participation available with AFC Bournemouth Community Sports Trust”
Trethowans Managing Partner, Mike Watson: “We are proud to be sponsoring Dorset Mind’s Courageous Conversations conference in November. As a firm, we are aware of the importance of encouraging our people to speak about their mental health and in partnership with Dorset Mind we hope to continuously improve our approach and build awareness around the topic.”
Tickets for the conference are FREE – with an optional donation to help support the charity’s work. A light lunch is also included.
The format of the conference includes educational workshops and activities to support the conversation around difficult conversations and the impact of recovery. Please take time to consider your self-care needs before, during and after this conference.
Book your place here: https://bit.ly/DMSpotTalking
Find out more about Dorset Mind’s 1-2-1 and group support, education and training for adults and young people in Dorset via their website: https://dorsetmind.uk
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