News Release, 7 April 2007
To mark Mental Health Action Week, a host of top celebrity chefs including Gordon Ramsay and Antony Worrall Thompson are encouraging friends to get together and bake a cake. A new survey looking at the importance of friendship by the Mental Health Foundation reveals that over half (53%) of those questioned who have had a mental health problem say that their friends helped the most by providing practical support, such as being around to cook together.
Dr. Andrew McCulloch from the Mental Health Foundation says that cooking and eating with friends can provide social and psychological benefits that are positive for a person’s mental health:
“An activity, such as baking a cake or preparing a meal together can be a welcome distraction for a friend who is feeling depressed or anxious – a friend who is experiencing a mental health problem doesn’t always want to talk about it.”
Recipes including Antony Worrall Thompson’s Orange and Almond Cake and Alan Coxon’s Raspberry Polenta Cake can be downloaded from the charity’s website, as well as a range of healthy savoury recipes for those who don’t have a sweet tooth. More information.
The Mental Health Foundation has also produced a NEW BOOKLET called Keeping us going, which offers help and guidance for people with mental health problems and friends. More information.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Chefs that have provided cake recipes to support Mental Health Action Week include:
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Alan Coxon – Raspberry Polenta with Lemon Syrup; Wensleydale Cider Cake
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Antony Worrall Thompson – Orange and Almond Cake
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Gordon Ramsay – Chocolate Brownies
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Nick Nairns – Cheat’s Ten-minute Strawberry Gateau
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Phil Vickery – Whiskey Tea Time Cake
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Sanjay Dwivedi – Coconut and Cardamom Cake
For media enquiries and to request pictures of the chefs and their cake recipes, please contact:
For more information or to arrange an interview, please contact the press office team on 020 7803 1128 (or 07967 586489 out of hours). We are happy to take media enquiries over the weekend.
The Mental Health Foundation encourages a balanced diet but recognises the social benefits of cooking and eating together. When eaten in moderation, it is not harmful to have a treat, such as a slice of cake.
Friendship and mental health is the theme of this year’s Mental Health Action Week, which runs from Sunday 8 April - Saturday 14 April 2007. 585 surveys were completed online and participants were aged 18 to 70.
The Mental Health Foundation uses research and practical projects to help people survive, recover from and prevent mental health problems. We work to influence policy, including government at the highest levels. And we use our knowledge to raise awareness and to help tackle the stigma attached to mental illness. We reach millions of people every year through our media work, information booklets and online services.
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