Walk of Thanks recognises mental health 'stars'

The unsung heroes providing care to people with mental health problems in the North East have today been recognised for their work on a 'Walk of Thanks' to mark World Mental Health Day.

Staff and service users from housing association NomadE5 visited 16 award winners in their work places across Newcastle, Gateshead, North Tyneside and South Tyneside, before coming together for an awareness raising rally at Grey's Monument in Newcastle city centre.

Since the theme of this year's World Mental Health Day (WMHD) is primary care, NomadE5 staff and service users thought it would be a good idea to say 'thank you' to all those people who go the extra mile to care for those with mental health issues.

All 203 people who NomadE5 staff work with had the chance to vote for their favourite primary care workers - whether they were doctors, community psychiatric workers, or dentists, all had the chance of recognition.

NomadE5 is highly regarded for the quality of its mental health services, scoring 'A' grades on the Government's Quality Assessment Framework.

The thank you packs presented with the awards contained mugs with service users' art and poetry displayed on them.

Charlie Culshaw, care and support manager (operations) for NomadE5, said: "There are so many primary care workers across the North East who are passionate about helping people with mental health problems in the community.
"We thought this year's theme of World Mental Health Day gave us an opportunity to recognise the many unsung heroes out there. We're delighted to give them the recognition they deserve."

World Mental Health Day aims to educate people about the reality of mental illness, and break down misconceptions.

Research shows 1 in 4 British adults experience at least one diagnosable mental health problem in any one year, and between 8% and 12% of the UK population experience depression in any one year.