An installation at Blackfriars Station has encouraged people to chat to strangers in order to improve their mental health.
Mental health charity Mind and Govia Thameslink Railway (GTR) decided to mark World Mental Health day on 10 October by creating an installation, alongside giving out free coffees to people travelling through the train station.
The partnership set up four train seats to mark the fact that one in four people will experience a mental health problem each year.
The installation encouraged people to sit and connect with others including Mind staff who could direct them to further resources.
Additionally, GTR surprised commuters with free coffee in cups with stickers of artwork with phrases such as ‘here if you need’ and ‘you’re valued’.
Mind’s message
Andrew Berrie, head of corporate partnerships at Mind, hoped the installation and collaboration with the railway franchise would spark a conversation about mental health.
“People think we’re expecting something,” he said.
“All we are expecting is to be someone to listen.”
He stated that mental health stigma can often be just as bad as the problems themselves, which prevents individuals from wanting to share their struggles.
Berrie quoted GTR’s survey which found that four in five people believe receiving a compliment or small act of kindness boosts their mood.
However, people are often reluctant to chat to strangers.
He said: “People can be anxious.
“They don’t know how.”
Clare, 42, a fundraiser from Penge, was one of the commuters who accepted a free coffee on Friday.
Clare shared she tries to talk to hospitality workers, but not complete strangers.
However, she felt there was a difference in attitude between those in London and her hometown, claiming her mother talks to people all the time but in London ‘people would think you’re mad’.
About people’s reluctance, she said: “You might be struggling yourself and have no headspace for anything else.”
‘It is not just the value of the single interaction itself, but what it adds up to’
Dr Gillian Sandstrom, a professor in the psychology of kindness at The University of Sussex, partnered with GTR for the project.
Sandstrom’s research is primarily in minimal social interactions between people who know each other a little or do not know each other at all.
About the impact of acts of kindness on mental health, she said: “Having a sense of belonging is a fundamental thing humans need.
“These small moments [are] sometimes all it takes to break someone out of that negative cycle that is happening.”
Sandstrom expressed how ease of modern society has meant individuals are inclined to avoid interactions with strangers.
However, she said: “It is totally normal people are gonna be a bit awkward at first.
“But then most people get over that and they realise you are just being friendly.”
Sandstrom emphasised that in her opinion, the biggest benefit is the personal impact on her view of other people.
“You feel a greater sense of trust in other people, realising that most people are pretty decent and okay,” she said.
“That feels like a transformative thing.
“It is not just the value of the single interaction itself, but what it adds up to.”
Although Sandstrom did not necessarily think that people in the capital are less likely to chat to strangers, she agreed they have a reputation.
She said: “I think humans are funny.
“We make up all these rules about when it’s okay to talk and when it’s not okay to talk.
“People think that people are less friendly [in London].
“[Community] is something we can create, it maybe feels a bit harder when we’re in a big city and you feel anonymous.
“[But], it is possible, it’s maybe a little harder in a big place.”
Sandstrom hoped people realise that whether they are slightly introverted or not they could be the person to start a conversation.
“It can help people think maybe I can do something to help someone who is struggling,” she said.
“If you just acknowledge people and say a few words you can really make a difference.”
The researcher’s advice to those who want to engage in these acts of kindness is to use your observational skills and comment on things someone is doing to express themselves, rather than physical things.
She said: “It feels like a really safe way to have these moments of connection that benefit you and the other person.
“There is something beautiful about that.”
The train seat installation will remain at the station until the end of October.
The artwork was created by illustrator Rosie Pink, while the coffee was provided by Buzz Coffee.
Mental health resources can be found on Mind’s website.
Featured image credit: Saskia Lonergan
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