A bright and colourful flower display will appear in Leeds train station this week intending to boost the morale of passengers.
Network Rail wants to "lift people's spirits" during their journeys with a sweet installation which reads "brighter journeys". The Brighter Journeys initiative - a campaign run between the rail industry and mental health charity Chasing the Stigma - aims to raise awareness of the free Hub of Hope app, which helps users access support if they are struggling with mental health.
The flowers will initially go on display at London Liverpool Street station between Monday and Wednesday to mark Mental Health Awareness Week, before being moved on to Leeds City Station. It will keep moving and also appear in Edinburgh Waverley, Birmingham New Street, Stevenage, East Croydon and Cardiff.
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A survey of 5,136 UK adults by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy indicated that 70 per cent of people say their mental health has been negatively impacted by the coronavirus pandemic. And 19 per cent of respondents described their mental health as "poor".
In a post n their website Network Rail said: "The Brighter Journeys project aims to challenge people's expectations of what our rail network looks like, and to provide them with signposts to services that can help improve their wellbeing."
Rupert Lown, chief health and safety officer at Network Rail, said: "We recognise that life since the pandemic is difficult for many people, with many challenges yet to be overcome. We hope that by running this campaign, we are bringing happiness and cheer to many passengers as they go about their daily lives, reminding them to take a pause and have a moment to connect with nature."
Jake Mills, founder of Chasing the Stigma and Hub of Hope, said: "Nature is really important for mental health, so we hope commuters enjoy seeing these floral installations and they put a smile on people's faces.
"We also hope that this acts as a reminder that no-one is ever alone, and mental health support is available at any time.
"You don't have to be in crisis to get help. If anyone is struggling or knows someone who needs help, please download the Hub of Hope app."
Anyone struggling with their mental health can download the Hub of Hope app. The Hub of Hope can be accessed through the app, Chasing the Stigma website or at www.hubofhope.co.uk.
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