We have combined our Managing Anxiety group with our Mens peer support group via zoom to enable the much needed social support, especially during these uncertain times. On 22nd May we discussed ‘Kindness’ in line with these years Mental Health Awareness Week.
We broke the subject into 3 areas:
Acts of Kindness received
- Food parcels delivered during Covid 19 Lockdown.
- Calls from mental Health Charities such as Life Links to ensure they are supported.
- Local fire service called into one attendee’s home to see if he was OK and if there was anything he needed.
- A Neighbour came to tidy up the Garden for an attendee.
Acts of Kindness given
- Saved somebodies life when they took ill.
- Intervened when seeing Domestic Violence and staying with the victim to ensure their safety.
- Following social distancing guidelines – doing their bit to keep people safe.
- Delivering food parcels to vulnerable people for Royal Voluntary Service.
Self Compassion/ Self-kindness
- Reading Books.
- Cleaning their homes. Quotes: “Clean home, clean Mind” and “Cluttered house cluttered mind”.
- Have a Hobby to help you switch off.
- Turn the TV/Internet off to be in silence for short periods- being ok with your own company.
- Be outside and gardening
Some ending comments included “always leave the group on a positive note” and “Being positive grows”. A final thought which sums up this subject “if your compassion does not include yourself, it is not complete” (Mentalhealth.org.uk/mental health awareness week)
-Steve, Peer Supporter
Peer groups
