Today is the start of Mental Health Awareness week. The theme this year is Nature 
So this week we wanted to look at the different ways that nature can benefit our mental health, celebrate the nature we have around us locally and also provide some tips on how we can increase our interactions with nature. We will also highlight some of the brilliant mental health charities/organisations operating across Derbyshire.
So this week we wanted to look at the different ways that nature can benefit our mental health, celebrate the nature we have around us locally and also provide some tips on how we can increase our interactions with nature. We will also highlight some of the brilliant mental health charities/organisations operating across Derbyshire.The evidence is clear that access to nature is crucial for our mental health, as millions of people discovered during the lockdowns. Mark Rowland Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation said “Our research on the mental health impacts of the pandemic showed that going for walks outside was one of our top coping strategies and 45% of people reported that being in green space had been vital to their mental health. It was as if we were re-discovering at our most fragile point, our fundamental human need to connect with nature.”
We are fortunate enough to be surrounded by beautiful nature in Chesterfield with the Peak District on our doorstep 
Here is a picture of the stunning view from Curbar Edge.
For more information/resources on mental health awareness week or mental health please go to www.mentalhealth.org.uk 