Mental Health Awareness

This year Mental Health Awareness week is from 13 to 19 May. And what better reason to check in with yourself and those around you? If you’ve been feeling low for some time, we’d always advise seeking professional help. However, if you’re simply looking for ways to relax, calm your busy mind or boost your mood, there are lots of possibilities which could help.

We’re proud that Headspace  have recently become one of our Pay As You Go Rewards partners. Created by Andy Puddicombe (a former Buddhist monk), and Rich Pierson (an ex advertising executive turned meditation convert); Headspace gives you hundreds of meditations for everything from stress to sleep. All are based on Andy’s teachings. There are even bite-sized mini meditations for when you’re short on time. So be sure to check it out and see how it can improve all aspects of your life.

An article you may like to read is Wellbeing apps to help you focus on your mental health which includes apps like Catch It – Making sense of your moods and Aaptiv for personalised audio workouts and fitness. It’s worth remembering that keeping fit and active can also do wonders for your mind and self-esteem.

You may have to hold down a full or part time job, but could a more flexible working lifestyle give you the freedom to be happier and more stress-free? Have a read over our Flexible working: how and why it works article to find out more, and see if one of these options could be just what you are needing to get more of your work/life balance. Here at Three, we take mental health seriously. We’ve trained up over 200 employees to be mental health first aiders, and we give everyone in core functions a 2-hour lunch on a Wednesday (Wellness Wednesday), to do something which benefits their health.

To keep children safe online, we’ve recently teamed up with Internet Matters  who offer parents advice about cyberbullying, online reputation, inappropriate content, screen time and loads more. All of which can have a harmful affect on children’s wellbeing. Arm yourself with all the facts and guidance through videos, tools, articles, stories, Q&As, research and quizzes. We’re also setting up our own Online Safety Portal so watch out for this in the coming weeks too.

We understand that if someone has a mental health problem, they can struggle to pay their bills. If you’re having any troubles paying your Three bill, we’ve got various options to support you. Have a look over – Helping you pay your monthly bill.

There are lots of mental health charities who can help if you really want to speak to someone. You can call Samaritans for free on your mobile and their number is 116 123. Or if you’d prefer to reach out for support via text try Shout , the free text line for crisis support on 85258. Another great way to give your mood a boost is to help others; Shout are recruiting volunteers so check it out if you’re interested in joining their team.