DUT’s Clare Cox on ITV News for Mental Health Awareness Week

Clare from the Deborah Ubee Trust was interviewed on ITV lunchtime news on Monday. She talked about the how outdoor therapy can help improve your mental health. Some highlights from the interview: Mental Health affects us all either directly or indirectly and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek2021is so important because it encourages conversations to open up and effects greater understanding – particularly now as we emerge individually and collectively from the unique challenges the Covid has brought.

Outdoor therapy is a safe alternative to face to face or a zoom session. For many without access to a safe or private space at home, those without a garden, those without technology, outdoor therapy can be a lifeline. Being in natural light, being physically active and becoming more aware of our place in the natural world are all beneficial and help with anxiety, depression and improve a sense of well-being and understanding.

Sometimes we can see ourselves as part of the bigger picture in this way and when regularly meeting with a therapist outdoors, we can begin to find space to reconnect with ourselves and improve self-esteem. Some of us will have missed the daily commute – that punctuation to the working day – leaving us with little opportunity to go out – it can become a real effort – the shopping delivered, no school run, no work or working from home, we are potentially missing many opportunities to experience being outside. At DUT we offer sessions in local outdoor spaces in Lewisham and Greenwich.

Funded by Coronavirus Community Support Fund.

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