NHS Talking Therapies and Coventry City Council launch ‘Bin Feeling Down’ mental health awareness this winter

Coventry City Council and Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust have collaborated on the ‘Bin Feeling Down’ campaign, this winter, which aims to take some of the most common and difficult issues people face during the festive season and winter period and offer support.

The ‘Bin Feeling Down’ initiative will promote the importance of looking after one’s mental health this winter with the NHS Coventry, Warwickshire and Solihull Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression service. The campaign will highlight issues from financial debt, drugs and alcohol misuse, loneliness or poor mental health and the support available for those who need it.

This innovative initiative seeks to raise awareness about mental health during the winter season. The campaign involves placing stickers on rubbish bins in Coventry, as well as refuse lorries, encouraging individuals to prioritise their mental wellbeing.

Cllr Patricia Hetherton, Cabinet Member for City Services at Coventry City Council said: “We are delighted to be working with Coventry and Warwickshire NHS Partnership Trust to promote the ‘Bin Feeling Down’ campaign. It’s all about bringing some of the most common and difficult issues people face during the festive season and throughout the year to the forefront, such as depression and financial hardship. We want our residents to know that there is always someone to talk to this Christmas and all year round.”

Sonya Gardiner, Chief Operation Officer NHS Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust said: “The ‘Bin Feeling Down’ campaign is a crucial step in promoting mental health awareness and it is an honour that Coventry City Council is standing alongside us to get the word out. Our relaunch as NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression in early 2023 marked a commitment to providing recommended psychological therapies and ensuring well-trained therapists for our community. This campaign will prove that we are here to support individuals facing a range of challenges, such as stress, long-term health conditions and perinatal struggles throughout this winter and beyond."

Financial stress can have a big impact on mental health, including the current rising costs of living. Residents feeling anxious about money can access various types of wellbeing and practical support via the websites of Coventry City Council and Warwickshire Cost of Living.

Previously known as Improving Access to Psychological Therapy (IAPT), NHS Talking Therapies for anxiety and depression, had a national transformation at the beginning of the year. The transformation included adhering to three promises: 1) provide psychological therapies recommended by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence; 2) employ well-trained and supervised therapists 3) track and publish outcomes for every service. As mental health is considered one of the biggest health issues in the UK, it is important for services, like Talking Therapies to support those in need.