Automotive industry charity, Ben, reveals the full details of its annual mental health awareness campaign and fundraiser, Hats on 4 Ben 2020. This year’s Hats on 4 Ben campaign will reconnect the automotive family virtually during this difficult time and take action to support those struggling with their mental health.
With over 80% of the automotive industry currently furloughed or working from home, this year’s Hats on 4 Ben campaign will be entirely digital, taking place on social media using #HatsOn4Ben. This week-long virtual event is taking place during Mental Health Awareness Week from 18th – 24th May and is something the whole family can take part in.
Each year, over 50% of people who turn to Ben ask for help with mental health issues. This demand has increased over the past few months in light of Covid-19 and is set to continue growing. Therefore, the campaign raises awareness about mental health in the automotive industry and vital funds for Ben to provide much-needed support to those who are struggling.
Since launching in 2015, the automotive industry has raised over £50,000 through Hats on 4 Ben, supporting hundreds of people with mental health issues.
Take part in Hats on 4 Ben!
To take part in Hats on 4 Ben, Ben is asking people to do three simple things:
- Make / wear a hat, share a selfie on social & tag #HatsOn4Ben
- Tag 5 family members or friends to do the same
- Text HATS to 70480 & donate £5 (if you can afford it) to help us provide mental health support in our industry*
Ben continues to provide mental health support to automotive industry people, including access to mental health assessments, life coaching and telephone based counselling, as well as other talking therapies. Ben also recently launched a new digital platform for individuals to access self-help support programmes for anxiety, depression, resilience, stress, sleep, as well as mindfulness activities. In addition, a new programme called ‘Coping with challenging times’ has just been launched on the platform to help people through Covid-19.
Matt Wigginton, Fundraising Director at Ben, said: “We’re really excited to be running Hats on 4 Ben during Mental Health Awareness Week. The purpose of the campaign is to raise awareness of mental health in our industry and vital funds so we can support those who are struggling.
“It’s a tough time for many people, so we think Hats on 4 Ben is the perfect way to bring our automotive community together and do something fun, positive and charitable, with the whole family!The theme of Mental Health Awareness Week 2020 is ‘Kindness’, which we thought was very fitting. Being kind to ourselves, as well as to others, is crucial right now.
“Your support of Ben is even more valuable in this time of crisis. We expect the demand for our mental health support to continue increasing as the full effects of the Coronavirus pandemic are felt. Many people are concerned about what the future holds and how it will affect them.
“Through this campaign, we also want to make the whole industry aware that Ben is (and will continue to be) here for automotive people, providing the relevant health and wellbeing support. This is about reconnecting our automotive family during a tough time. We hope you’ll take part!”
For more information about Hats on 4 Ben, visit www.hatson4ben.co.uk.
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