A Blackburn charity encouraged staff and volunteers to wear green for a day to help create more awareness of mental health.

The IMO charity's 'Wear It Green Day', was part of Mental Health Awareness Week and saw staff members and business development centre tenants join representatives from The Wish Centre and Newground Together.

Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 took place in May and the theme this year was ‘Movement: Moving more for our mental health’.

Health and well-being manager at IMO Charity, Salma Kathrada, said: "By organising Wear It Green Day, we aim to raise awareness about mental health and the importance of supporting initiatives in this field.

"Our efforts help us to deliver programs for various communities. We encourage everyone to go green and support our cause.

"Your physical health and mental health go hand in hand. There are three important things we need to do: good nutrition, good sleep, and movement.

"Spending some time outdoors helps as well. We deliberately designed today's lunch menu to ensure that it is nutritious and healthy."

Lancashire Telegraph:

Diabetes practitioner at IMO Charity, Sophia Karolia, added: "Making little changes in your food consumption can help control type 2 diabetes. For instance, swapping fizzy drinks with water and cutting down on sugar.

“Eating a wide variety of foods in the right proportions, and consuming the right amount of food and drink to achieve and maintain a healthy body weight, are crucial.

"Aim to eat at least five portions of fruits and vegetables every day, keep yourself hydrated, and get your 30 minutes of exercise daily."

Lancashire Telegraph: The day concluded with a canal walk for all those who attended 'Wear It Green Day'.

Lancashire Telegraph:

During the event, Sophia also shared valuable tips on healthy eating and maintaining a healthy body and mind through small changes and good habits. 

The day concluded with a leisurely canal walk, embracing this year’s Mental Health Awareness Theme.

Despite the weather, participants were encouraged to bring rain gear and join the walk, which also featured a photo competition capturing the essence of positive well-being.