K107fm is supporting Fife Health and Social Care Partnership across Mental Health Awareness Week

Next week marks the launch of Mental Health Awareness Week, the UK’s national week to raise awareness of mental health.  The week, which is hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, is in its 22nd year and runs from 9-15 May.   This year, the theme for the week is ‘Loneliness’ and aims to raise awareness of the link between loneliness and mental health problems and how we can prevent them. Fife Health and Social Care Partnership (FHSCP) will be facilitating a number of drop-in sessions on MS Teams to support workers and practitioners across the region. They will also be sharing content on what they do to alleviate loneliness across their social media platforms and local radio. Across the Kirkcaldy area, K107fm will be supporting Fife Health and Social Care Partnership with activities on-air, via social media and through the stations Listen Again service. The Kirkcaldy based station will also be launching its ‘Talk To Me’ campaign, combining advice, tips and signposting to services as part of a new, innovative radio series. This will see further activities in the coming months to highlight expertise and support available in Fife from various organisations. This project is supported by the Communities Mental Health and Wellbeing Fund through Fife Voluntary Action and the Scottish Government The first initiative will be tied to the theme of Mental Health Awareness Week and ‘Loneliness’ with K107fm set to donate radio sets to those experiencing loneliness across the area Radio provides access to entertainment and information without reliance on complex technologies or ongoing costs. It can increase the number of meaningful connections people have, and break the silence which many lonely people live with on a daily basis.  K107fm will be working alongside FHSCP, Fife Council and third sector partners to identify recipients in the area and will be distributing 80 radios locally across the coming weeks.  Annemarie Smith, Health Promotion Service, FHSCP stated:  “Loneliness affects millions of people in the UK every year and has a huge impact on our mental and physical health. The Mental Health foundation research has found that loneliness had been exacerbated by the COVID pandemic contributing to higher levels of distress. This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is taking steps to reduce the stigma surrounding loneliness through encouraging people to open up and talk about the impacts of loneliness. Fife has a great range of support services and opportunities to support people reduce the feeling of loneliness. Examples include volunteering opportunities, talking cafes, groups and activities linked to interests and hobbies. For more information on the campaign visit www.NHSFife.org”  Alex Airnes, Programming Team at K107fm said: “Radio continues to reach people when on their own, and is a proven medium for delivering messages on Mental Health, we’re proud to be supporting Fife Health and Social Care Partnership through Mental Health Awareness Week and beyond.  It is hoped that the provision of radio sets can provide another outlet to help alleviate loneliness for some in our area. This will be alongside the wider ‘Talk To Me’ initiative and we’ll join radio stations from across the UK to broadcast the Mental Health Minute at 10:59am on Friday 13th May.  K107fm are keen to use the power of radio to highlight support available to our listeners and local community.”