Fundraisers citing the importance of mental health awareness took to The Moor in Sheffield city centre this week, in a bid to get more people with mental health issues back into jobs.
Talk Out Loud is an organisation which speaks directly to individuals throughout the year who are struggling with mental health issues and find themselves unemployed.
The action coincides with national Mental Health Awareness Week.
A spokesperson for Talk Out Loud, who suffers with mental issues themselves and has been fundraising throughout the week, said: “It’s a work initiative to get people back into work who suffer from mental health issues, that’s what it primarily focuses on.”
Wristbands have been sold at £3 to raise funds and awareness.
“We print publication pamphlets and wristbands and it gives people a route back into work and a feeling of self worth for people who suffer with mental health issues,” said the spokesperson, who did not want to give their name to protect their health status.
All funds raised by the group are invested back into the organisation to help train and employ workers and produce more awareness merchandise.
“It’s a work initiative so the money goes to the person who suffers from mental health issues,” the spokesperson added.
Members of the public can approach the group with issues ranging from depression, anxiety, addiction and Borderline Personality Disorder, which have been on the rise recently.
“There’s been a massive increase in mental health issues over the course of the last few years. It’s caused by drugs, it can be caused from relationship breakdowns, gambling, it can be hereditary,” said the spokesperson.
“There’s a lot of people out there who are suffering”
They underscored the importance of speaking out during times of struggle.
“My advice would be just always speak out, make sure that you speak out.”
“Men especially. I’m not being sexist, but women speak amongst themselves but men don’t.”
Sheffield Mind notes rise in mental health need
Separately, Sheffield Mind is an independent self-funded charity which raises awareness and offers an array of support to those suffering from mental health.
The group is involved in fundraising and offering support in the form of professional help, meetings, and community outreach initiatives throughout the year.
With a spike in reports to the charity, Sheffield Mind are always looking for donations, and hope that mental health awareness week will spur on members of the public to see their mission.
Lindsay Doyle-Price, business development manager at Sheffield Mind, said: “We are forever trying to find donations to help fund our work.”
Donations are vital so the group can keep developing their services, after the cost of living crisis meant people were suddenly contacting the charity more.
Ms Doyle-Price said the cost of living crisis has meant that more people are “suddenly finding themselves in stressful situations”, which has seen more of a need for the charity to raise funds and awareness.