This month....
This month marks Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD) awareness, World Mental Health Day and baby loss awareness week. These are three areas that cross my path both at home and at work.
ADHD
ADHD is a brain condition that makes it hard to pay attention, control energy levels, and manage impulses, often interfering with daily life (https://www.adhdawarenessmonth.org/what-is-adhd/).
I know of a lot of children who have struggled in school because of ADHD, not because they have ADHD as such but more so because they have either been undiagnosed or schools don't know how best to support them. I find it sad that so many children are unable to flourish because of a system of shortcomings. However this is changing and I am also pleased to acknowledge that some schools are better than others and do offer positive and engaging support.
I have also known many adults who have only just found out that they meet the criteria for ADHD. Some choose to manage this with medication, for others it validates why they maybe struggled at work and school and it helps them develop strategies to help them manage and work towards their strengths.
ADHD awareness has changed over the last decade and I embrace that change.
Baby loss
Baby loss awareness week is 9th to 15th October. Baby Loss Awareness Week culminates with the global “Wave of Light” on 15th October, which is also a globally recognised event. This events invites families around the world to light a candle at 7pm local time for one hour to remember babies who have died too soon (https://babyloss-awareness.org/wave-of-light/).
I have worked with many parents who have had a baby loss, it is also something that has touched me in my personal life. I have seen all too often parents blaming themselves for their loss, questioning whether there was anything they could have done to prevent what happened. Sadly, the answer is usually that there is nothing that could have been done differently. Sometimes parents do not have answers as to why this happened and that can be hard to navigate.
Since the first baby loss awareness week in 2002 there has been more awareness in supporting bereaved families aided by organisations that include https://www.sands.org.uk the https://www.miscarriageuk.org/, https://www.tommys.org/ the https://ectopic.org.uk/, and https://www.arc-uk.org/. For many families they feel alone, for those whose babies were carried to term having to explain their loss to people asking how the baby is doing can be heart wrenching. For those whose loss was in earlier stages of pregnancy, having to explain that they are no longer pregnant can prolong the recovery. To anyone going through the bereavement of a baby loss, you are not alone, please reach out to any of the organisations that can support you, how ever long ago you were bereaved.
World Mental Health day
Each year there is a different theme for world mental health awareness day. The theme of World Mental Health Day 2026 has been decided as “Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change”. I am working with a client at the moment who is helping her new partner understand her mental health and ways to support her in times of crisis. She also draws on her lived experience in her work role. Although everyone’s mental health experience is different it is important that they are heard and considered when decisions about them are being made. This empowers people to manage their own wellbeing. Taking time to listen and having honest conversations with people affected by mental health can be difficult. A great resource can be found on https://mentalhealth-uk.org/help-and-information/downloadable-resources/#section-4 to help you support some of those difficult conversations.
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