LOCAL charity Mental Health Aberdeen (MHA), in collaboration with Aberdeen-headquartered design, print and digital expert XIC, has urged people and businesses in Aberdeen and the shire to focus on mental health this festive season with the launch of their MHA SQUAD Snood.
Graeme Kinghorn, trustee and treasurer at MHA, said: “Mental health has never been more important. The challenges of COVID-19 definitely don’t help matters and the festive season can be a tricky time for those experiencing difficulties. The stats say that one in every four Scots – at the very least – will experience mental ill-health at some point in their lives, so support is essential.
“We were delighted the team at XIC felt so strongly about mental health that they wanted to raise funds and awareness over the Christmas period. Working with them to create the branded snood was great fun, and we’re starting to see the results. The pennies are rolling in and MHA snoods are being spotted on the street – and online in #snoodselfies.”
XIC’s managing director, Murray Alexander, explains: “MHA has offered vital help to those who are struggling for more than 70 years – but only if the charity team knows about it. Support from local people, businesses across Aberdeen and Aberdeenshire, and other organisations can bridge that gap and help a lot.
“If wearing your MHA snood signposts just one person to the life-changing services they offer, your job is more than done.”
Graeme adds: “Anyone and everyone can do their bit to keep mental health on the radar locally. If your team is returning to work, give them confidence you’re there if they need to talk by kitting them out with snoods.
“If you’ve personally struggled with mental ill-health recently or in the past, show your strength with a snood. And if you just want to do good, break down stigmas and raise awareness, we salute you and would be delighted to kit you out for winter.”
The Mental Health Aberdeen SQUAD Snood is priced at just £15 with £2 going straight back into the charity’s important work in the city. They can be purchased online at www.squadsnoods.com.
