Emma Jefferies, Social Media Manager, ME Association
The ME Association will be focusing on Health and Social Care for ME Awareness Week 2021 (from Monday 10 May) and the pending publication of the NICE clinical guideline on ME/CFS.
However, ME Awareness Day (Wednesday 12 May) is also a time to raise vital awareness and the ME/CFS community has always risen to the challenge online. We are grateful to each, and every one of you who – despite the severity of your illness – fight for our collective voices to be heard.
SAVE THE DATE: WEDNESDAY 12 MAY AT 12 NOON
This year and in future years, we are proposing that from 12 o-clock midday 12 May and into the afternoon, we all pause to #RememberME.
We hope you will take this time to think about all those who have sadly passed away, to reflect at life with ME/CFS and the effect it has had on you, your family, friends, and the wider community. It would be a good time to consider what it is that keeps you going and what you think needs to happen to provide meaningful hope.
We would like to offer our social media platforms for the afternoon to retweet, share, regram as many comments and images from you that we can to increase awareness about how ME/CFS affects your life. We hope this will inform others of the real impact it has on the hundreds of thousands of people in the UK, physically, emotionally, financially, socially, and how it affects occupations, education, and any other aspect of your life.
It is important that we have these conversations to help others who are unable to contribute know they are not alone or forgotten. This sharing may help someone who is in crisis, who feels alone and needs your support and who might benefit from reading about your experiences. It is an incredibly difficult illness to live with, made worse by the lack of knowledge and understanding of some healthcare professionals. We recognise just how supportive you are of one another and this is evidenced daily on the ME Association’s social media platforms and in the many messages and emails we receive.
Please use and share the ME Association Twibbon to help gain momentum for the minute’s reflection on 12 o-clock noon on 12 May. Don’t forget to tag us @Meassociation and use the hashtag #RememberME during the afternoon #May12.
ME Connect
If you or the person you care for is struggling with low mood or depression please reach out. We're here for you and for any other matter that relates to living with ME/CFS.
ME Connect is staffed by a fully trained and supervised team of volunteers – most of whom have personal experience of the condition.
0344 576 5326 365 days a year 10am-12noon, 2pm-4pm, 7pm-9pm
Samaritans
If you need someone to talk to urgently due to distressing thoughts or because you are feeling like you may act upon suicidal thoughts, please phone the Samaritans.
Calls are free and available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. Phone: 116 123