UK,
10
May
2021
|
10:57
Europe/London

McFly’s Harry Judd Backs Campaign To Highlight The Role of Nature In Managing Mental Wellbeing

  • The musician and mental health champion has teamed up with Simplyhealth and the Mental Health Foundation to embrace the mental wellbeing benefits of the natural world.
  • To inspire the nation to ‘Take a Breath’, they have created a free downloadable e-book, packed full of ideas and activities to connect with nature.
  • For each copy downloaded, Simplyhealth will donate £5 to the Mental Health Foundation.

 

Simplyhealth, a leading UK health solutions company, has partnered with McFly musician, Harry Judd, and the Mental Health Foundation on a new campaign to shine a light on how connecting with the natural world can support our mental wellbeing.

The Take A Breath campaign – launched during Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 – will see Simplyhealth provide the nation with the tools and resources to better understand their mental wellbeing and embrace the positive benefits of nature on their psychological and emotional health.

 

 

Mental ill health on the rise

Unfortunately, mental ill health is common, with rates of anxiety and depression on the rise. This has been amplified by the ongoing pandemic, which has dramatically changed the way we work, live and socialise. For instance, a survey undertaken by Simplyhealth in 2020 revealed that 42% of UK adults felt their mental health had suffered since the outbreak of Covid-19i.

However, there is an abundance of research which shows that the natural world plays a significant role in supporting mental health, from reducing stress and easing anxiety to increasing positivity and inspiring creativity.

 

New downloadable ‘Take a Breath’ e-book

To help people to look after their mental health, Simplyhealth, in collaboration with Harry Judd and the Mental Health Foundation, has created a new e-book titled ‘Take A Breath, which is packed full of ideas, exercises and activities to inspire readers to connect with nature.

The e-book, which is free to download from the Simplyhealth website from Monday 10th May, includes personal anecdotes and advice from mental health champion Harry Judd, and insight from the Mental Health Foundation into the link between nature and wellbeing.

For each download of the e-book, Simplyhealth will donate to the Blue Prescribing Project, a joint project between the Mental Health Foundation and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust. This initiative aims to tackle poor mental health through hands-on nature-based activities and will see 300 people needing mental health intervention given access to wetlands nature.

Harry Judd, McFly musician and Simplyhealth partner
I’ve suffered with anxiety throughout my adult life. Anxiety can be so isolating and sometimes makes you lose yourself. In those moments, I felt scared to share how I was feeling. When I finally found the courage to reach out and ask for help, I felt so relieved – it was like a weight had been lifted off my shoulders.

It’s easy to forget that our mental wellbeing is every bit as important as our physical health. If you break a bone, you seek medical help, yet many people are hesitant to ask for support with their mental wellbeing. I completely understand the courage it takes to speak up but reaching out for help was the best thing I ever did.

Embracing fitness and the outdoors has also been a fundamental part of my personal mental health battle. Whether it is in the park, at the beach or in the garden, I believe that spending time in nature, embracing the fresh air and getting our bodies moving can benefit our mental wellbeing and redress the balance in our lives.

I’m supporting Simplyhealth’s Take A Breath campaign as I want to help others who may be going through similar experiences with their mental health. As part of the e-book, I’ve contributed to a nature-inspired activity checklist, with the hope of giving people some everyday ideas for making the most of nature and the great outdoors.
Harry Judd, McFly musician and Simplyhealth partner
Catherine Rutland, Clinical Director at Simplyhealth
Looking after our mental health and wellbeing isn’t always easy. However, there are actions we can take to help maintain balance, and a vast body of research supports the idea that spending quality time in and around nature reduces stress and increases feelings of positivity.

Through the Take A Breath campaign, we hope to provide information, activities and tips that are fun and inspirational. Our aim is to encourage people to experiment with what works for them and their circumstances. It’s time to seize the power of nature and take a step – however small – to nurture and protect our mental wellbeing.
Catherine Rutland, Clinical Director at Simplyhealth
Nature is so central to our psychological and emotional health, that it is almost impossible to realise good mental health for all without a greater connection to the natural world.

At the Mental Health Foundation, we know that by working with organisations like Simplyhealth, we can reach more people to help them experience the benefits of our natural surroundings. With the challenges of the last year, there could not be a more important time to understand the links between nature and mental health.
Mark Rowland, CEO at the Mental Health Foundation

How Simplyhealth can help

The way people think and, more importantly, talk about mental health has changed for the better, but too many people still suffer in silence. For instance, 1 in 4 will be affected by a mental illness, yet almost two-thirds will never seek helpii.

Through its healthcare plans, Simplyhealth offers access to 24/7 online GP, physio, counselling and advice, in addition to coverage for a variety of everyday health and wellbeing needs, from £7.50 per month. The free to use SimplyMe app is also a great tool for tracking mental and physical wellbeing. With daily mood and emotional health check ins, it shows users how to make simple changes to their normal routine that will support their overall wellbeing in the long term.

During Mental Health Awareness Week, Simplyhealth will donate a further £5 to the Mental Health Foundation for every 20 minute walk that is recorded on the SimplyMe app.

To find out more about Simplyhealth or to download the Take A Breath e-book visit www.simplyhealth.co.uk/our-partners/mental-health-foundation/take-a-breath.

The SimplyMe app is available to download via the App Store or Google Play store.

Notes

References:

[i] Nationally representative survey of 2,082 UK adults carried out by Deltapoll on behalf of Simplyhealth in August 2020.

[ii] SimplyMe

The Take A Breath e-book will be available to download from Monday 10th May at www.simplyhealth.co.uk/our-partners/mental-health-foundation/take-a-breath.

The SimplyMe app is available to download via the App Store or Google Play store.

To find out more, visit www.simplyhealth.co.uk.

Press Contacts:

The PHA Group: simplyhealth@thephagroup.com // 020 7025 1350

About Simplyhealth

Since 1872, we’ve been helping people make the most of life through better everyday health. Our plans make sure individuals, families and employees can easily access in-person and virtual wellbeing services, and afford to stay healthy by claiming costs back on dental treatments, visits to the optician, complementary therapies and much more.

Today we’re delighted to be the UK’s leading health solutions company, with almost 1000 colleagues serving 2.3 million customers. We don’t have shareholders, so we’re led by our purpose of improving access to healthcare, for the many, for the long term. We’re passionate about using our voice in public health affairs and partnering with charities to reduce health inequality – each year we commit to giving 10% of pre-tax profits to a range of community causes. And we ensure our business takes care of the planet too, achieving Carbon Neutral + status in 2021.

About SimplyMe

SimplyMe works by monitoring data that the user puts in, as well as synching information from a wearable device (FitBit, Garmin, Apple Watch or Apple Health app, or a simple pedometer) to track the user’s sleep, weight, heart health, emotional wellbeing, and activity. Using science-based algorithms to spot patterns, the app gives users personalised insights and ideas to help them readdress the balance and feel better and healthier.

The SimplyMe app is available to download now via the App Store or Google Play.

About the Mental Health Foundation

  • Our vision is of good mental health for all.  
  • The Mental Health Foundation works to prevent mental health problems.  
  • We drive change towards a mentally healthy society for all, and support communities, families and individuals to lead mentally healthy lives with a particular focus on those at greatest risk.  
  • The Foundation is the home of Mental Health Awareness Week. 
  • www.mentalhealth.org.uk  

About the Blue Prescribing Project

Put aside technology and, at our core, human beings are part of the natural world. Spending time outside is so good for our mental health. But many disadvantaged people rarely get the chance. That’s why Simplyhealth, the Mental Health Foundation and the Wildfowl & Wetlands Trust have launched an important project, that will allow more people to benefit from time outdoors.From working on conservation projects to bird-watching, we’ll help people feel grass under their feet, wind on their faces and a closer relationship to nature. In an increasingly fast-paced world, nature plays a vital part in strengthening mental health. Studies suggest that ‘watery’ nature such as wetlands can be particularly beneficial to people’s wellbeing. When people take a breath in the great outdoors, they develop healthier minds – and healthier lives.