Staff and residents at Barchester’s Austen House care home in Lower Earley, Reading have been marking World Mental Health Day by taking part in a range of different activities to promote good mental health.

World Mental Health Day took place on Thursday, October 10, the idea behind the day is to encourage people around the word to talk about mental health in general and how we all need to look after our mental health by talking about things and sharing our challenges. 

The theme this year is ‘It is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace’. The World Federation for Mental Health has been working for over 70 years to make sure mental health is treated on a par with physical health.  World Mental Health Day is also an opportunity to ask for help if you are struggling.

The staff, residents and family members got into the spirit of the day by taking part in a relaxation session, listening to a local healthcare professional, Anna Brooks, BACP registered Therapeutic Councellor, about mindfulness and the importance of staying positive, hosting an mindfulness session and taking the time to talk about their feelings and sharing their challenges.

General Manager, Arturas Repkovas, said: “Our residents and relatives have had a great day, it is so important to talk about our feelings and allow ourselves some time for self-care.  Everyone really enjoyed the relaxation session and the mindfulness talk with Anna, it was really interesting to learn some new techniques to help us switch off and recharge from time to time.”