A Message from the Editor,

Sonia Last 📝

When we struggle with our mental health, it can be hard to do the things that may make us feel better. It can take huge effort to summon the energy and courage to actively self-care. Retreating from the world, staying in bed or isolating ourselves may sooth us temporarily, but being active kickstarts longer-term improvements in our wellbeing.

Tidying drawers or wild swimming could have a similar positive effect as both benefit us in some way. If nothing else, activity is a vital life enhancer. It moves us on, shifts our mindset and helps us feel more positive about ourselves and the world. Any activity will do...

Sonia

Sonia Last

Editor

Our free online Network Events have become the go-to ‘info and sharing sessions’ for those honing their practice as mental health champions.

Everyone is welcome to tap in for a listen or a chat with people from across industries and sectors who are implementing a range of initiatives and programmes in their workplaces.

The next event is on: Thursday 28 August, 12:00 - 1:30pm

BOOK YOUR FREE PLACE

The following reports bring insights from the UK and beyond, highlighting key trends, challenges, and practical steps to support workplace wellbeing in 2025:

UK Trends:

The Health Foundation exposes some important insights and statistics in their report: Mental health trends among working age people (January 2025), while Mental Health UK’s The Burnout Report 2025 outlines steps that employers and employees can take to avoid burnout.

A Global Perspective:

For a wider perspective, download the Gallup: 2025 State of the Global Workplace report.

Awareness days are a great way to kickstarting conversations around mental health and wellbeing, so you might want to create some activity in your working or community spaces:

10 September - World Suicide Prevention Day

10 October – World Mental Health Day

A little inspiration for your week…

We’ve chosen a few quotes that remind us to stay curious, appreciate others, and keep moving toward what matters - doubts and all.

‘And is living my friend, anything but a continuous adventure?’

– Mikhail Naimy (Lebanese writer).

‘Appreciation is a wonderful thing. It makes what is excellent in others belong to us as well.’

– Voltaire

‘Focus more on your desire than on your doubt, and the dream will take care of itself.’

– Mark Twain

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We are fortunate in being able to tap into a whole panoply of human expression that is positive, uplifting and life-affirming. They may come in the form of podcasts, documentaries, blogs, films, books, art, music, drama, poetry or any other artistic or creative expression – but we need to actively seek these out.

Finding positive sources of inspiration can protect us from the endlessly negative influences of bad news, bad behaviour and the general nastiness out there.

We hope you get into the light to be inspired, find your tribe and feed your mind.

Warm wishes,

Sonia and the MHScot Team

www.mentalhealthscot.land