From the 23rd to the 30th June, World Wellbeing Week encourages us to look at health in its widest sense. For mental health professionals and services, it is a timely reminder that good mental health does not exist in isolation. It is shaped by everything from nutrition and movement to rest, relationships and purpose.
At Hunter Gatherer Mental Health, we place skilled mental health locums across the UK in settings that require not only clinical expertise, but also empathy and awareness of the whole person. More and more, services are embracing holistic care to meet the complex needs of their patients. World Wellbeing Week offers the perfect opportunity to explore what this means in practice.
What is Holistic Mental Health?
A holistic approach to mental health looks beyond symptoms and considers the full picture of a person’s wellbeing. This includes:
- Emotional resilience
- Physical health and sleep
- Social connection and community support
- Nutrition and hydration
- Meaningful activity and movement
- Mindfulness and spiritual care (where relevant)
This approach recognises that improving mental health involves more than talking therapy or medication. It is about helping individuals build sustainable habits and environments that support long-term wellbeing.
Why it Matters in Mental Health Services
Many of the locum professionals we work with report growing demand for care that considers the broader context of someone’s life. Patients may present with anxiety or depression, but the underlying factors often include loneliness, poor sleep, lack of routine or social disconnection.
Services that integrate holistic thinking into their care models are seeing the benefits. This might include offering mindfulness sessions, supporting access to physical activities, connecting patients with community groups, or working in multi-disciplinary teams that include nutritionists and occupational therapists.
How Locum Professionals Contribute
Our mental health locums are placed in diverse settings, from acute inpatient wards to CAMHS and community teams. Wherever they work, they are trained to treat the person, not just the condition.
We look for clinicians who understand that wellbeing is shaped by more than just what happens in a clinic room. Whether it’s a psychologist encouraging breathwork, a nurse supporting sleep routines, or a therapist introducing creative coping strategies, these small shifts can have a powerful impact.
Supporting Holistic Approaches Across Services
Mental health services can embrace holistic care by:
- Encouraging cross-team collaboration (e.g. psychology and dietetics)
- Including wellbeing questions in assessments and care plans
- Creating access to peer support and social prescribing
- Training staff in lifestyle interventions and alternative approaches
- Promoting recovery-focused models that centre patient goals and values
Wellbeing is Everyone’s Business
As we mark World Wellbeing Week, we are reminded that good mental health does not come from clinical care alone. It comes from environments that nourish us, relationships that sustain us and systems that allow us to thrive.
At Hunter Gatherer Mental Health, we are proud to support services and professionals who see the full picture.
If you are seeking your next role or looking to strengthen your team with exceptional mental health locums, we are here to help.