This Mental Health Awareness Week, Health in Mind is partnering with the St James Quarter in Edinburgh to launch a new pilot, providing free, publicly-accessible Listening Spaces every week in Scotland’s largest shopping centre.
Running every Thursday for six weeks, the space will offer visitors to the Quarter one-to-one time with a trained expert to talk about their mental wellbeing and receive compassionate advice, support and resources. The free, weekly sessions will be delivered from 2pm to 4pm in the Guest Services Lounge.
Hazel Crombie, Head of Engagement and Income Generation at Health in Mind, said:
“We’re delighted to be working with the St James Quarter to help make mental health support and guidance more accessible to people in Edinburgh. We’re in our second year partnering with St James Quarter, and it’s been a beneficial partnership so far – they’ve already been a huge part of raising awareness and support for mental health.
“The fact that we are launching this new Listening Space now, in the middle of Mental Health Awareness Week is exciting, as we all deserve the space to speak openly about our mental health.”
Kerry Girdwood, Senior Services Manager (North) at Health in Mind, who will be managing the new drop-in Listening Space, added:
“Around 1 in 3 people in Scotland are struggling with their mental health, and with added pressures like the cost-of-living crisis, the fallout from the Covid pandemic, pressure on public services, and conflict around the world, that number is only climbing.
“We’ve run Listening Spaces in communities around Scotland, where people can chat through their mental health difficulties, access resources, and get connected to services. Thanks to this new pilot with St James Quarter, we’ll be doing all that in one of Edinburgh’s busiest community hubs.”
Jennifer Laseen, Hospitality Director and CSR Committee Chair at the St James Quarter, said:
“We know how hard it can be to make the first step and reach out for support, and sometimes you just don’t know where to start. As St James Quarter, we’re perfectly positioned to make mental wellbeing support more accessible in the city centre and we’re really excited about this opportunity to offer a Listening Space with Health in Mind.
“The Quarter is a welcoming and supporting place for all our guests and however you’re feeling this Mental Health Awareness Week, I encourage you to join us for a mindfulness session, enjoy some feel-good entertainment, or meet the team from Health in Mind.”
The St James Quarter has also been celebrating Mental Health Awareness week in many ways, with free entertainment throughout the week. There is an additional day of Health in Mind support today, when the Everyman Cinema transforms into a calming haven with a free mindful movement experience. On Friday, 16 members of the St James Quarter team are also putting on their walking boots to climb Ben Chonzie in support of its two charity partners, Health in Mind and Edinburgh Women’s Aid.