Giant sunflowers appear around Leeds to help boost mental health

Giant sunflowers have popped up in six of Leeds’ most popular parks to help remind people to look after their mental health.
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The 1.2 metre blooms have been installed by the NHS in Leeds at Temple Newsam, Roundhay Park, Kirkstall Abbey, Pudsey Park, Armley Park and Banstead Park until the end of April.

The flowers have been chosen as symbols of "strength, positivity and happiness" and all feature the phrase 'Looking after your mind is just as important as looking after your body'.

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Each also features a scannable QR codes which people can activiate with their smartphones to access an NHS web page with mental health support resources.

One of the sunflowers which has appeared around Leeds, in a bid to boost people's mental health.One of the sunflowers which has appeared around Leeds, in a bid to boost people's mental health.
One of the sunflowers which has appeared around Leeds, in a bid to boost people's mental health.

It comes as many mental health experts raise fears over the ongoing toll of the pandemic on people's well-being.

Over the past 12 months, the Yorkshire Evening post has been continuing our well-being campaign, #SpeakYourMind, which was launched in 2017 to tackle the stigma surround the issue of mental health - and is now timelier than ever.

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Dr Jason Broch, a GP in Leeds and Clinical Chair at NHS Leeds Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “We know that the past 12 months has put an enormous strain on many people’s mental health.

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"Getting out and about into nature is a great way to boost the mood so what better way to reach people than in some of the city’s most popular parks and green spaces.

“The sunflower is a symbol of strength, positivity and happiness and provides an eye-catching way to promote mental health awareness. As well as reminding people of the importance of looking after their mental health and the support they can access to help with their mental health.

“We’re delighted that Leeds City Council have let us use their parks for this campaign and hope that the new giant sunflowers will catch people’s eye and scan the QR code, so people know what support is available if they need it.”

The NHS Leeds CCG website includes information and support services for adults and young people who may be suffering from mental health issues.

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Visit www.supportnhsleeds.co.uk/mentalhealth for more information.

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