Greater Manchester supports Alcohol Awareness Week

Greater Manchester residents are encouraged to look after their mental health as Alcohol Awareness Week begins today (Monday 16 November).

The national week runs from Monday 16 November to Sunday 22 November, and will see organisations across the UK raise awareness of alcohol consumption, its impacts, and how people can stay healthy.

Each year, around one in four people in the UK experience a mental health problem and drinking too much or too often can increase our risk.

And now we’re staying at home more and we can’t go out socialising with friends and family, many people might be drinking more at home. 

But many of us are unaware of the link between alcohol and poor mental health and it’s often the first thing we turn to when we’re feeling low, stressed, worried or unable to cope.

Alcohol is also a strong factor in making poor decisions and can affect our behaviour so we all need to think about our drinking and how it may impact on those around us.

This Alcohol Awareness Week aims to get people thinking about how drinking affects our family and friends, our working lives, those living within our communities, and our society more generally.

For more information about Alcohol Awareness Week visit: alcoholchange.org.uk

If your worried about your, or a loved one’s drinking, help and support is available. Visit www.gmhealthhub.org/drinking to find out more.

You can also access a variety of mental health support across Greater Manchester, including:

• Shout: a 24/7 free crisis text messaging service
• Silver Cloud: online self-help services
• Kooth: online counselling and emotional well-being support for children and young people
• Living Life To The Full: delivers online courses for people affected by low mood, anxiety or depression
• Phone the Samaritans on 116 123
• Speak to Greater Manchester Victims’ Services – 0161 200 1950 or visit gmvictims.org.uk

Article Published: 16/11/2020 12:09 PM