Mental Health Awareness Week 2023

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	This week is Mental Health Awareness Week 2023. Mental Health Awareness Week is run by a charity called the Mental Health Foundation.
	Mental Health Awareness Week is a good time to think about how we look after our mental health.
	We are doing a research project called ‘Medications and My Mental Health’. It is about the role of medications in the lives of people with learning disabilities.
	One of the reasons that we are doing this research is because lots of people with learning disabilities are given mental health medications.
	But they are not often supported to find and take part in other activities that help their mental health.
	Research has found that spending time thinking about the things that make us smile is good for our mental health.
	Sunderland People First are a self-advocacy group run by and for people with learning disabilities, autistic people, and their families. Every week, they post on Twitter about the things that have made their members smile.
	We think this is a great way to think about the things that make us smile in life.
	Here are some of the things that have made Sunderland People First smile so far in 2023!
	January Things that made us smile this week: fun films, fave stout at fave pub in York, walks with friends in Dunbar, Espresso Martini on holiday, Halloween fun, sleepy Beric & Crowley.
	February Things that made us smile this week: sunshine through the trees, first flowers of Spring, walks with Dan & Frank, Diesel chewing his olive branch, happy memories of Percy, an otter drawing, wild flowers & my Valentine bunny.
	March Things that made us smile this week: a walk in the countryside, an old picture of me in my school uniform, my new record by Snayx, a photo of me, a birthday card from my daughter, my new hair cut & visiting the Friends TV exhibition.
	April Things that made us smile this week: cuddles with Berric, Hector waiting for his owner, Bundles snoozing in his favourite spot, my birthday meal with family, enjoying my work & a cheeky pint with a friend.
	May Things that made us smile this week: Coronation fun, my new Lego birdbox, my homemade card, out n about, dancing at the 80’s show, a bee seeing the sky for the first time, new bedroom ornament, message to a friend, cool & smart for a wedding & an important inclusion message.
	What has made you smile this week?
	Join in the fun and Tweet a photo of what has made you smile this week to @SunPeopleFirst.
	Thank you to Sunderland People First for letting us do this blog about them!
	Photos from Photosymbols.