Alongside the more obvious challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, there has been a second serious health crisis, affecting people of all ages, backgrounds and environments - from health workers, isolated people, or people struggling with lockdown restrictions – and that is the decline in people’s mental health and emotional wellbeing.

 

Mental health care has always been one of the most difficult areas of healthcare to work in, but even more so in the face of a global pandemic and the unprecedented restrictions on society of the last 12 months. However, the hard work, heroism and resilience shown by our mental health colleagues has been nothing short of astounding.

 

We know that mental health workers have continued to go out and check on some of the most vulnerable people in our society to keep them safe, even if it meant risking their own health to do so. They have increased their hours, made thousands of telephone calls to patients and still provided inpatient care when needed.

 

We are incredibly proud to sponsor this category and celebrate the incredible work, selflessness and compassion of our mental health heroes. Thank you for everything you do!