“Thanks to Mentally Fit York funding, I can run a therapeutic writing group for vulnerable women in York.”
In the UK 1 in 4 adults will be impacted by a mental illness. As waiting lists for treatment grow, and mental health problems impact the lives of ourselves and those around us - how can a University truly prioritise the mental health of the community?
Mentally Fit York is the University’s answer to this question. By providing funding to vital research, projects, and mental health nursing scholarships, it hopes to improve mental health in York and beyond.
One of these projects is a Therapeutic Writing Group run by Dr Melanie Forster, a Senior Lecturer in Psychology at the University of York. Building on research that shows expressive writing activities can help us work through difficult emotions and experiences, Dr Forster works with Kyra Women’s Charity and offers vulnerable women the opportunity to express their feelings in a safe and supportive environment.
“The group is designed to enhance individual coping, to provide group members with effective ways to live a happier and more fulfilled life, whilst potentially reducing the negative impact of past and future life stressors upon their emotional wellbeing.”
Melanie’s group is a vital resource for women experiencing mental health problems in York. Crucially, this kind of innovative group support isn’t offered by other services or mental health professionals in our community. It also provides a unique learning experience for Psychology students who help Melanie in delivering the group.
“At a time when therapeutic group work within the community in York is being reduced, and waiting lists for individual adult psychological support are increasing, this group is an invaluable intervention.”
Thanks to the funding from Mentally Fit York, Melanie can deliver this life changing support for free - providing members with an empowering and proactive experience that promotes their emotional resilience.
“The funding ensures that the group will be safe, nurturing and supportive, which is an essential part of the women’s therapeutic experience. Each member of the group receives a leather writing journal and pen, a set of self-care packages to help them prioritise their own wellbeing, and nourishing refreshments each session to communicate they are valued and cared about.”
Melanie’s story is a story of how our University-led projects can make a real-life difference to the local community. It’s thanks to donors to Mentally Fit York that improved mental health can become a reality for many in this city. As Melanie concludes:
“With the University being an institution that looks to support and promote ‘the public good’ this is a great example of how a short-term focused intervention can have a positive long-term impact upon emotional wellbeing and mental health.”
Read about more projects making a difference in the community through Mentally Fit York.