Mental Health Awareness Week

9-15 May 2022

This year, Mental Health Awareness Week is about raising awareness of the impact of loneliness on our mental health and the practical steps we can take to address it.

At the RAD, we believe dance is a powerful tool for social connection, with an uplifting effect for young and old alike. See below for inspirational stories, training courses for tackling mental health concerns in dance students, and wider mental health resources.

Members can view further resources aimed at dancer wellbeing in the Wellbeing Toolkit in the Members’ Area, with articles exclusively available for RAD Registered Teachers.

Sarah Aspinall

“Growing up I was a painfully shy child and it showed itself in so many ways. Dance became a huge part of my life. I never felt shy when I was dancing.”

“I needed to try and find a better way of living my life for the sake of my mental health and wellbeing. It was finding a New York City Ballet Workout class that reminded me I had danced because I loved it and it happened to keep me in shape. So why not do that now?”

“Movement was the real catalyst for change…What has saved me as a child was saving me all over again.”

Read Sarah’s full story.

Mental health and wellbeing plan: discussion paper and call for evidence

The government in England have published a discussion paper and call for evidence, seeking views on what they can do to improve everyone’s mental health and wellbeing.

The consultation closes at 11:45pm on 7 July 2022. Find out more and participate.

Resources

• Every Mind Matters – NHS (www.nhs.uk)
• Wellbeing Support | Activities & ideas | British Red Cross
• A beginners guide | Loneliness Awareness Week | Marmalade Trust
• Loneliness Awareness Week 2021 – Wellbeing Info
• Feeling lonely? – advice and support from BUPA
• Loneliness: A guide for young people – YoungMinds