As we celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week, Ecolution Group joined today the British Red Cross webinar where it was discussed the impact COVID-19 and the resulting lockdown is having on our mental health.

2020 Mental Health Awareness Week theme is focused on the power and potential of kindness ”because of its singular ability to unlock our shared humanity. Kindness strengthens relationships, develops community and deepens solidarity. It is a cornerstone of our individual and collective mental health. Wisdom from every culture across history recognises that kindness is something that all human beings need to experience and practise to be fully alive.”

Mark Rowland, chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation, said: "We want to use Mental Health Awareness Week to celebrate the thousands of acts of kindness that are so important to our mental health. And we want to start a discussion on the kind of society we want to shape as we emerge from this pandemic.”

In today’s webinar session held by The Red Cross, we had the chance to listen to psychosocial experts, prominent business leaders, researchers and campaigners and learn how we can support ourselves and each other during this challenging time.

Hosted by Louis Munday, the panel discussed new challenges being faced during the lockdown, and how these are affected by mental health stigmas at work.

An insightful session where we could find out from the panellists how to enhance mental health support for staff and reintegrating into work after lockdown.

Protecting our mental health is going to be central to us coping with and recovering from the coronavirus pandemic so an important recommendation for us all is to stick to a routine, exercise, sleep well, keep in contact with friends and loved ones and relax with mindfulness techniques.