Insights

When the UK went into a national lockdown in March of this year, it’s probably fair to say none of us expected the impact would last as long as it…

The current times are often described as unprecedented. Most of us have been presented with new experiences and challenges to overcome. It continues to be a time where our limits…

Shawmind is a young charity on a mental health mission. In 2017 Shawmind raised 103,000 signatures to get the important issue of children’s mental health debated in Parliament – the…

Men really don’t ask for directions, and most also don’t speak about the mental wellbeing challenges that they go through. Either we feel we don’t want to burden our partner,…

How to Break Bad Habits Before They Break You Many bestselling self-help books are about creating healthy habits. You may have read several of them such as ‘The Seven Habits…

We are told to ‘switch off’ and ‘relax’ as business owners, but that’s easier said than done. Add in the backdrop of COVID-19 to the cocktail of commercial uncertainty, lockdown,…

Here at Shawmind we have lots of exciting events happening both in person and online between now and the end of 2020. Here, our Project Coordinator, Hannah gives you the…

During Homelessness Awareness Week (5th – 11th October), Shawmind began inviting supporters to take part in the second annual Newark Sleep Out. Launched by Newark and Sherwood District Council’s Housing…

The word perfect originates from 13th Century France meaning “consummate state or form, that degree of excellence which leaves nothing to be desired”. Nothing to be desired… We all strive…

We are under unprecedented levels of stress as a society. Even before the C word we were experiencing a stress epidemic. Stress is self-inflicted (sorry!) when you are trying to…

Let’s take a moment to consider Sigmund Freud, the so-called father of psychotherapy. A quick image scan on Google provides many images – most of which are similar; a stoic…

I’m in a street fight with Depression and it fights dirty, using all the sneaky tricks it can. It knows they work – they’re tried and tested on millions of…

If I wanted a 9-5, Monday-Friday routine then I definitely picked the wrong career. Working in events means that yes, some of my year is spent in the office working…

Preparations are under way as we plan to host a specialist wellbeing panel as part of a week-long festival led by Teachers Come First. On Friday 9th October,  just ahead…

A lot of aspiring authors believe they have a story in them. But sometimes, what they fail to realise that they are that story. Writing a memoir can certainly be…

Passionate about mental health and wellbeing? Want to help others access the support they need? Looking for a cause to rally around and fundraise for? You sound like a Shawmind…

Freshers’ Week activities have come a long way since our marketing manager went to university (back in 2001), but that doesn’t mean that her top tips for making it through…

We are pleased to announce the relaunch of our popular Breathe Café to provide nationwide mental health and wellbeing support. With social distancing rules continuing to limit the number of…

Donna is walking a mile with Shawmind in memory of her father, Graham, who she lost to suicide in 2008. Donna has attended one of our suicide prevention sessions and…

We are searching for brilliant Christmas card designs from talented Primary School artists to use in our Christmas Card Campaign to highlight the importance of children’s mental health and wellbeing.  Four designs will be chosen from the entries, and printed Christmas cards will be made available to purchase from our…

From Thursday 10th September 2020, Shawmind is inviting people to take part in its month-long activity to encourage gentle exercise, raise funds and increase awareness around suicide, mental health and…

This first full week in September has meant the return to school for millions of children in England after a six-month lockdown. For those who are starting at a new…

I’ve been a student for 7 years post high school. Studying both in my home town of Worthing and London, and now starting a Masters course in Brighton. It’s been…

Looking after our physical and mental wellbeing are things that more and more of us are starting to do, because we’re becoming increasingly aware of the long-term benefits. But what…

We’ve just renewed our partnership with Savoo, a money-saving and online fundraising website with thousands of great exclusive discount codes and deals from the UK’s biggest retailers. How do I…

With awareness of the support needs of children and teenagers growing, we are calling on the nation to ‘pay it forward’ and donate to ensure the next generation has the…

With almost daily headlines focusing on suicide rates and the rise in mental ill health, thanks in part to the Covid19 lockdown, we are planning to offer free suicide awareness…

We are delighted to invite you to join our Mindful Meander walking group. The group has been established thanks to funding from The National Lottery and Sport England, delivered through…

There has been great progress in the narrative surrounding mental health and education and it is wonderful that Shawmind, through their tremendous Headucation campaign in 2017, achieved the compulsory teaching…

Teenagers and their parents are set to benefit from free mental health and wellbeing taster courses thanks to a partnership between Shawmind and Newark & Sherwood District Council. The East…

The mental health and wellbeing of the nation has been pulled into sharp focus following the lockdown and subsequent limitations imposed on ‘normal life’ thanks to Covid-19. In a range…

In these challenging times, extra pennies can have a big impact and therefore Shawmind is proud to be available on Pledjar – a new and innovative mobile app. Through Pledjar you…

Our ManCave group was developed to encourage guys to open up, talk to and support one another. The next group meets this Wednesday, come along and talk or bring along…

The top tips I share below stem from yoga and are great ways to be more mindful, reducing both mental and physical stress. I hope you find ways to implement…

Men’s mental health was high on the agenda during Men’s Health Week (15th – 21st June) for mental health and wellbeing charity, Shawmind. Shawmind, which is based in Newark, Nottinghamshire,…

I have been sitting on my laptop, staring at my screen for the past hour trying to think of a way to introduce this blog, but I’m struggling. How do…

Anyone else remember how novel it was to work from home (WFH) for those first few days of lockdown? Many of us were casually checking in on friends and family…

For many people we look at what happened to them earlier in life as a reason for why they are shaped the way they are and for me this is…

‘Being a British man means that the idea of talking therapy or counselling with a stranger is like being asked to run naked through a funeral!’ This quote from one…

I wanted to share some of my more recent/ongoing experiences of mental health so throughout the week I’ve been jotting down a few thoughts on my Google Keep notes app…

Motor racing is more than just being able to drive fast, it’s about consistency, preparation, strategy, mental stamina and more. Excelling at anything, at work or home, calls for these…

As we approach the halfway point of the year you could be forgiven in thinking ‘I’ve had enough’. We should be looking forward to a summer of sport on the…

I work as a mental health researcher. That means one of my favourite things to do is look stuff up on the internet. And the pandemic has given me plenty…

Cricket enthusiasts from across the county are being invited to bowl around the clock on Summer Solstice to raise funds for Farndon Cricket Club and leading mental health and wellbeing…

I first experienced severe depression when I was twenty-three. Up until then, I’d had the odd bout of heartbreak but I’d been lucky enough not to have any serious mental…

I am personally delighted to see more empathy, promises of kindness, and trends to #bekind in the world right now. It is a shame that extreme events e.g. high-profile celebrity…

In my previous profession, I spent many years treating patients with, amongst other issues, insomnia, anxiety and depression. After a lifetime of being an ‘easy sleeper’, I never expected to…

In 2017 our charity championed children’s mental health education by raising 103,000 signatures for the landmark Parliamentary debate which led to children’s mental health education being made mandatory in schools…

As coronavirus arrived on our shores, we were celebrating a month of successful fundraising activities that included our Sock it to Stigma campaign which raised almost £1,000 in one day –…

In response to an increase in the number of people who are looking for mental health support during this crisis, we put out a call for volunteers – and are…