This #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, we’ve been talking to Emily about the difference between living and thriving, and how we can tackle this year’s theme of ‘loneliness’ by encouraging ourselves to ask for help.

“What does thriving mean to you?”

Just as we all live our lives in different ways, we also thrive uniquely to each other. For some, it might be challenging yourself to learn a new skill and for others it could be a change of environment. Emily told us what thriving means to her:

“Thriving in life is all about making decisions for yourself and finding fulfilment within that.”

Stepping out of your comfort zone can be daunting, but with the right support around you, taking risks can pay off. Emily is a great example of how trying something new can enable someone to thrive. After finishing a whole year in her first paid role, she has told us she can’t wait for her next challenge! Working with Lewis (one of our Ready, Willing and Able supported employment coaches), Emily is ready to try something new and we can’t wait to hear about it.

“Something that helps me to know I am doing well is constructive feedback. It took me a while to get used to taking feedback, but now I know how helpful it can be.”

But it isn’t all about work! For Emily, thriving also means taking taxis independently to and from church, socialising with friends and family and designing her own greeting cards – all activities that also support her mental health.

“What can we do to support others with their mental health?”

“It is really important to have empathy when someone is going through a difficult time. It can be hard to step into their shoes, especially without knowing them well, but simply listening is a great start.”

Aside from helping others, it’s essential to also look after yourself. Putting yourself first is something a lot of people find challenging. This is something Emily has put time into in the last couple of years:

“Over the last few years, something that I’ve worked extremely hard to improve is my ability to ask for help. I can sometimes really struggle with this but I’m learning the best way to communicate with those around me.”

Boost your mental health

Knowing your preferred ways to communicate can help your mental health. Being aware that other people want or need to communicate in different ways will improve your relationships and reduce loneliness.

This #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek, why not work on improving your communication skills to have a positive impact on relationships with people around you. Read our guide to improving your communications skills.

If you’re concerned about your mental health or the wellbeing of someone you know, the Mental Health Foundation has a list of ways to find help.