A NEW mental health initiative from Bath Mind, A Season to Breathe, will be launched next month to support people across Bath and North East Somerset during what can be a challenging time of year.

This campaign’s aim is to encourage people across Bath and North East Somerset to pause, reflect, and prioritise their mental health during one of the most demanding times of the year.

The winter months can be a particularly challenging period for mental health; shorter days, colder weather and festive pressures can all take a toll. National polling indicates that around three in ten people struggle with their mental health over Christmas. A recent YouGov survey also found that 41 per cent of UK adults feel their mood is “somewhat worse” during the winter.

Increasing financial pressures are adding further strain. Studies from King’s College London report that around three in five people feel the cost-of-living crisis is having a negative impact on their mental health.

Launching on Tuesday, December 2, A Season to Breathe gently invites the community to slow down, take a moment to breathe, and let wellbeing be a priority throughout the festive season. Throughout December, Bath Mind will share a virtual “advent calendar” of daily wellbeing tips, service highlights, winter warmer recipes and mindful moments across Instagram and Facebook.

Resources will be available to read, download or print via Bath Mind's website, and the charity is encouraging people to share their own mindful moments and coping strategies to help build a sense of community throughout the campaign.

The charity encourages followers to share their own mindful moments, stories, or helpful coping strategies. Using #ASeasonToBreathe, the campaign hopes to create an online community of reflection, support, and collective wellbeing tips.

Lizzie Townson, marketing and communications lead at Bath Mind, said: “While the festive season can be full of joy, it can also be an incredibly difficult time for many. Feelings of pressure, loneliness, and exhaustion often sit just beneath the surface. A Season to Breathe is our reminder to pause, take a moment, and reconnect with your wellbeing. We want everyone in our community to know that support is here, and it’s okay to pause when things feel overwhelming.”

Bath Mind’s services, including Breathing Space and the Emergency Department Intervention Service for Adults (EDA), run 365 days a year, ensuring support is available whenever people need it. The campaign aims not only to provide everyday wellbeing tools, but also to highlight the importance of maintaining these services throughout the winter months.

This Giving Tuesday, Bath Mind is inviting the public to donate what they can to help the charity continue offering warmth, connection and hope to those who need it most. Follow Bath Mind on Instagram and Facebook (@bathmind) throughout December to take part in A Season to Breathe and find a moment to pause.

Further information, including downloadable resources, is available on Bath Mind’s website, and the charity hopes the campaign will encourage residents to take small but meaningful steps to support their mental wellbeing over the festive season.