Bridgwater businesses were the target of an Open Mental Health campaign on the 10 October to mark World Mental Health Day. In addition to raising awareness about the excellent free services offered by Open Mental Health across Somerset, participants helped a shopkeeper in crisis.
The campaign was led by Open Mental Health Champions, Expert by Experience Leaders, Spark Somerset, Diversity Voice and Second Step. After meeting at The Hub on Angel Place, the team hit the streets, going to shops and businesses in pairs, distributing leaflets and letting people know about Open Mental Health.
Debbie and Jo, two of OMH’s Experts by Experience Leaders, were part of the team. Debbie said, “I’m not as experienced as Jo, and I still get really, really nervous for everything. And I’d not met any of the people before. But I thought, no, it’s not about me. It’s about spreading the word, which is obviously what needs to be done. And everyone was just so lovely.”
Seventy-seven shops, cafes, pubs and companies in the High Street were visited, and the message was well received. Hayley Scurr, Community Engagement Worker at Spark Somerset, said, “It was a brilliant day, talking to people in Bridgwater about mental health and letting them know that Open Mental Health is there for them. Everybody was supportive, many people telling us about their own struggles or their concerns for family members. The team really enjoyed getting out there and chatting, and everyone was interested to hear about what is available.”
The team were delighted with the response. Every venue took some leaflets, with many displaying them straightaway on the counter, notice board, shop window or in their staff room. New café Purple Spoon On The Go even offered free tea and cake to people to celebrate World Mental Health Day.
Debbie outside Purple Spoon On The Go cafe
Jo said, “As soon as they realised we were talking about mental health, it’s like the barriers just came down with most people.”
During the event, one woman told the volunteers she was desperate for face-to-face help but couldn’t phone to make appointments. Within minutes, Second Step staff went to see her and arranged a Crisis Safe Space appointment for later that day.
Debbie said, “Two members of the team spoke to a lady in one of the shops, and she was struggling. She spoke to her GP, but she wasn’t getting anywhere. But she was really, really struggling. And Hayley was like, well, that’s fine. Let’s get her some help. They went back and spoke to her, and she said she’d like to have a face-to-face appointment, so they emailed through and arranged for this lady to have an appointment that night at 6 o’clock. It was amazing because I’ve been in that place where it’s so difficult to reach out.”
Crisis Safe Space is an out-of-hours service Open Mental Health partners Mind in Somerset and Second Step provides for anyone struggling with their mental health. Instead of going to A&E, making an urgent doctor’s appointment, or suffering in silence, people can arrange a one-to-one session with a member of the Crisis Safe Space team who will be willing to listen and help.
“The team went out for lunch afterwards,” Jo said. “It was just so nice. Like that immediate connection, because you’re there for the same reason, because you want to reach people with the right support. We all went away feeling so positive and really connected with people that we didn’t know very well.”
Jo reflected on how Open Mental Health is developing: “It is working on many different levels, not just for the people who need the services but for those of us who are involved, whether we’re volunteers or whether we’re paid employees. It just feels like a lot of barriers are being broken down between people, and we realise that a lot of it boils down to kindness at the end of the day. And maybe people will think that’s a bit too simple. But it’s been the people on my journey who’ve been kind to me and gentle with me that I will remember forever.”