MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS WEEK: GP’S PRESCRIPTION TO ART AND ACTIVTIES HAS BEEN ‘LIFE-CHANGING’

The Mental Health Foundation – the charity behind Mental Health Awareness Week (11-17 May) – is urging people to ‘take action’ to support mental health as figures show that one in five adults in England are living with a common mental health issue such as anxiety and depression.*

Working with GP practices, social prescribers take action to support mental health by connecting people to activities, groups, and services in their community to meet the practical, social and emotional needs that affect their mental and physical health and wellbeing.

Thirty-year-old Zenith Wynters from Bury has battled depression and mental health challenges since sixth form. They said: “Sensory overload – especially sounds – can be extremely stressful. Using public transport or being in busy places makes me extremely anxious. For years I have felt overwhelmed by everything.”

They added: “My autism made me withdraw from life. I felt isolated, unmotivated and increasingly unhappy. My GP referred me to the social prescribing team and it’s opened up my world.”

Supported by Demi Kinsella, one of Bury GP Federation’s social prescribers, Zenith is now a regular at a weekly social drop-in and their confidence is increasing.

Demi said: “Zenith wanted to feel better about themselves, have a purpose, improve their fitness and meet people. With a love of the arts, a prescription to boost Zenith’s physical and mental health and wellbeing has included a storyteller’s group, creative arts and journaling, allotment work, exercise classes and social groups. They have made such a huge step forward in the past six months.”

Zenith said: “I now walk to the weekly ‘Cuppa and Chat’, I can make better eye contact and talk to more people. This may not seem much to some people, but it has opened up my world. I am planning to join art therapy, movement and mindset courses next month, and hope to take steps toward employment through volunteering experience.”

Julie Southworth is part of Greenmount Village Community which established the ‘Cuppa and Chat’ social drop-in post-Covid. She added: “Connections between community groups and social prescribers is making a real difference to peoples’ lives. Being part of a local group helps foster a sense of belonging and Zenith is a welcome regular who’s made friends here.”

Social prescribers work one-to-one with patients to tailor support for those feeling lonely, anxious, isolated and struggling with mental health issues. They also help people with bereavement, housing or debt challenges.

Kiran Patel, GP and Bury GP Federation’s Medical Director, said: “Patients often visit GP practices for help with non-clinical issues – such as loneliness – which can have a significant impact on their mental and physical health and which a prescription for pills can’t cure. Social prescribers support patients to tackle the root causes, not just the symptoms, to improve health and wellbeing.

“They have the time and knowledge to understand patients’ needs and goals and work with community groups and services who can provide help and support. For example, they may support someone bereaved who is struggling with loneliness and may benefit from involvement with local groups. Or work with national services, such as Citizens Advice, to relieve a patient’s financial stress which may be affecting their mental health and wellbeing. Social prescribing’s holistic approach is making a tangible difference to thousands of lives.”

According to Bury GP Federation figures, more than 5,850 patients benefitted from social prescribing from 1 April 2024 – 30 March 2025. In England, in 2023 alone, an estimated 1·3 million patients were referred to social prescribing.**

Zenith added: “My life has changed. I feel I have a purpose, more confidence and motivation. I’ve been supported to take steps forward at a pace that I can manage. I’m even working with a work coach to help me look at employment. This is the start of a new chapter.”

Patients can self-referral to the social prescribing team without the need of a GP practice appoint – see https://www.burygpfederation.nhs.uk/our-services/social-prescriber/ To contact the social prescribing team directly, please email [email protected]