It’s time to talk about wellbeing – join the Greater Manchester conversation

Participants in the conversation will be entered into a prize draw that will see 20 people win a £25 One4All gift card, that can be used at more than 130 stores nationwide and with online retailers.

Mental wellbeing does not have one set meaning. It might be used to talk about how someone is feeling, how well they are coping with daily life or what feels possible at a specific moment.

Good mental wellbeing does not mean a person is always happy or unaffected by their experiences. But poor mental wellbeing can make it more difficult to deal with the day-to-day.

Struggling with poor mental wellbeing is not necessarily a mental health problem, but people that feel low for long periods of time are more likely to develop severe conditions.

The types of issues that negatively impact on mental wellbeing will have been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic.

Anxieties caused by problems like job insecurity, a troubled homelife, smoking or drinking too much, or health issues will all have been felt more intensely during this period. The current climate means it is more important than ever that the causes of poor mental wellbeing, and how they can be alleviated, are better understood.

Greater Manchester’s Big Mental Wellbeing Conversation is being run by the Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership and the Independent Mental Health Network. The Independent Mental Health Network is a membership-led organisation that represents a diverse community of past, current and future users of mental health services, as well as those with lived experience of mental health

Everyone in the city-region is being asked to take part in the survey about their mental wellbeing. Responses to the survey will help shape future initiatives to improve mental wellbeing in Greater Manchester, making sure they reflect the needs of local people.

Warren Heppolette, Greater Manchester Health and Social Care Partnership executive lead for strategy and system development said:

“We want to help everyone in Greater Manchester to have good mental wellbeing. The way we feel not only impacts on our mental health but can be detrimental to physical health and our relationships with other people too.

“We can’t expect to improve people’s mental wellbeing without listening. If we don’t speak to people about their concerns and worries, we cannot hope to address the barriers to good mental wellbeing.

“That’s why we’ve launched Greater Manchester’s Big Mental Wellbeing Conversation – to better understand what action is needed to improve mental wellbeing. Collectively, we can – and must – do more to build a culture that supports and encourages wellbeing and positive mental health.

Tom Renhard, CEO of the Independent Mental Health Network, said:

“Our mental wellbeing is affected by our circumstances, including having friends, a job and a place to live.

“We want to hear from people and communities across Greater Manchester about what’s important for their mental wellbeing. This information will then be used to understand what matters and what needs to change at an individual and community level.”