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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. |
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