A New Normal | June

Mental Health

Awareness Month

Yesterday was the final day of Mental Health Awareness Month, so this week's newsletter focuses on methods for managing your wellbeing.

A cameo from Prince William is followed by a single mother's experience of loneliness before we dive into our favourite D&I news from the last week.

Men's Mental Health

Some of you may already know the statistic that suicide is the biggest killer in men under 40, but how can we better support the men that surround us?

The first step is communication, encouraging yourself and the men around you to talk about how they feel and how they manage their mental health. Prince William and a handful of Premier League football players discuss this and much more in the video above.

Watch

"I'm fine"

It can be difficult to open up to someone, especially when there's so much shame and stigma surrounding mental health. If you've noticed warning signs in someone you know, don't ask just once, but twice.

Warning signs can include:

Reduced contact and communication

Withdrawing from socialising

Difficulty concentrating

Reduced interest in hobbies

A sense of hopelessness

Extremely high or low moods

Learn More

Loneliness

The theme of this year's Mental Health Awareness Month is loneliness, an emotion we've all experienced but something we don't talk about enough. Some people find it awkward, embarrassing or uncomfortable to admit, but in truth, almost all of us will have experienced loneliness at some point in time. Talking about it can help you feel less isolated in this experience, and often feels like a weight off your chest.

We loved this story from Rhyana about her experience of loneliness while managing a degree, full-time job and caring for her child. She talks about the power of joining community groups and how she learned to be patient as she developed new relationships.

Read

This Week at A New Normal

Our team's tips for managing mental health

We met up in London!

1 in 4 of us will experience poor mental health in our lives, but how do you manage it?

We asked our team to share the things that work best for them when they're feeling low. Click the link below to read all four methods.

Our team usually works from home, so meeting up in London is always a treat!

Some of us met face to face for the first time, and we all enjoyed a great day in the office before having dinner together.

Our People

D&I News

Billie Eilish: Living with Tourette's is 'very exhausting'

The singer has recently opened up about her Tourette's, which she experiences through involuntary facial movements. She explains that initial reactions to her condition generally include laughter, as many people don't know about her condition and assume that she's joking.

This article highlights the importance of being aware that involuntary movements can be a symptom of Tourette's, and to refrain from commenting on them, just in case.

The News at Ten presenter has spoken out about his 20-year battle with depression. He outlines some of the signs that signal the decline in his mental health, similar to the ones discussed in this newsletter. Getting to know yourself and your warning signs can be a long journey, but one that's definitely worth doing.

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