Do Blue! How to support Norfolk and Waveney Mind this World Mental Health Day

People are being urged to ‘Do Blue’ for World Mental Health Day on October 10th to raise funds for vital mental health services run by Norfolk and Waveney Mind.

Whether it’s by wearing blue clothing, dyeing your hair or lighting up a building blue for the day, showing your support will help the charity ensure that no one in our region has to face poor mental health alone.

Last year buildings across Norfolk from King’s Lynn Corn Exchange to Great Yarmouth Town Hall were illuminated blue on World Mental Health Day, as were Norwich Castle, Blickling Hall and the Pavilion Theatre in Gorleston among others. Businesses, councils, education providers and hundreds of individuals turned Norfolk and Waveney into a sea of blue to highlight the importance of tackling the growing problem of poor mental health.

This year with services coming under increasing pressure, the region’s leading local mental health charity is asking for more support to fund its work at every stage from prevention to crisis intervention.

Pete Boczko, chief executive officer of Norfolk and Waveney Mind, said: “We would love it if even more people and businesses could help us light up our region blue this World Mental Health Day to raise awareness and vital funds to support our work right here in Norfolk and Waveney. We want to build on last year’s success and keep people talking about this hugely important issue.

“It’s not just about major gestures such as illuminating your building’s frontage – anything from wearing blue clothes for the day, to baking and selling blue cakes, to being sponsored to dye your hair or beard blue will help raise awareness of the crucial services we provide.

“Every penny raised will help us to make a difference to people’s mental health in Norfolk and Waveney.”

City Hall in Norwich is one of the many prominent buildings that will be lit up blue this year. Councillor Cate Oliver, cabinet member for wellbeing and culture at Norwich City Council, said: “Good mental wellbeing is so important for the overall health of our city and at the council addressing this is at the heart of many of our initiatives.

“These range from measures to help reduce social isolation amongst our most vulnerable residents, to enabling a good work-life balance for the colleagues who deliver our services.

“We’re proud to ‘Do Blue’ by lighting up City Hall in the colour blue on the evening of October 10th to show our support and raise awareness for World Mental Health Day.”

All funds raised by people taking part in Do Blue events can be donated via Norfolk and Waveney Mind’s Do Blue online fundraising page, at justgiving.com/campaign/doblue2023

Mental health issues affect all of us, whether directly or by impacting someone we know. Up to 84 per cent of people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their lives. One in three GP visits is associated with a mental health issue, and in Norfolk, one in seven people lives with depression or anxiety.

To find out more about the Do Blue campaign, register your interest and download resources, visit norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk/do-blue.

For any other questions, contact Norfolk and Waveney Mind’s fundraising team on 0300 330 5488 Option 2 or email fundraising@norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk.

If you are concerned about yourself or a loved one then it is important to seek support. For information, resources and a list of all of Norfolk and Waveney Mind’s services, including its new REST Community Hubs, visit www.norfolkandwaveneymind.org.uk or call 03003305488.

For urgent mental health support, call NHS 111 option 2.