Today is World Mental Health Day. The theme this year is ‘Mental Health is Universal Human Right’.
Everyone one has Mental Health and it needs looking after, just like our physical Health.
Below are some top tips from the Mental Health Foundation to help improve your health and wellbeing:
- Talk about your feelings - Just being listened to can help you feel supported and less alone.
- Get a good night’s sleep - Sleep and mental health are closely linked.
- Eat well - A balanced diet can improve your sense of well-being and your mood.
- Stay active - Physical activity is not only good for your body, but it’s also great for your mind.
- Practice mindfulness - A way to be fully engaged and present in the moment.
- Keep in touch with supportive friends and family - This helps you deal with the stresses of life and makes you feel cared for and offers a different viewpoint.
For this years World Mental Health Day we interviewed Aaron Kirby and Penny Allen, both peer support workers who work in the mental health liaison team at Queen Alexandra Hospital, supporting patients with their mental health whilst in hospital. Our peer support workers, using their own lived experience of mental health, are able to quickly connect with patients and give them a sense of feeling safe and understood.
Thank you to Aaron and Penny for telling us about their experience. Click below to have a listen!
The World Mental Health Foundation also share some common myths associated with mental health:
- MYTH: Only some people have mental health. Mental health is like physical health –
FACT - everyone has it and we need to take care of it – we can all benefit from taking active steps to improve our well-being and improve our mental health. Good mental health means being about to think, feel and react in healthy ways and be able to live a fulfilled life.
- MYTH: You can see if someone has a mental health issue.
FACT - You can’t tell someone has a mental health issue just by looking at them – people with mental illness are just the same as everyone else.
- MYTH: Nothing can be done to protect people from developing mental health conditions.
FACT - Many factors can protect people from developing mental health conditions including strengthening social and emotional skills, seeking help and support early on, developing supportive relationships, creating positive environments and looking after your physical health.
- MYTH: Young people do not experience mental health problems.
FACT - 20% of adolescents may experience a mental health problem in any given year.
- MYTH: People who experience mental health issues tend to be violent or dangerous.
FACT - This is not true and in fact people who are experiencing mental health problems are statistically more likely to be a victim of violence.
- MYTH: If you have a mental health issue you are unlikely to recover.
FACT - Mental health issues can be treated, and people can make a full recovery and go on and live happy and fulfilling lives.
How to access support
Italk - Visit Italk, our Improving access to Psychological Services (soon to be Talking Therapies Hampshire), webpage to find out how to access psychological support for anxiety and depression and other complex mental health issues. Italk also has a huge amount of self-help tools and importantly, where to go if you need urgent help 💚
If you want to talk to someone about how you're feeling, or what you're experiencing, you can contact any of the places listed below:
- Call Samaritans on 116 123
- Text 'HANTS' to 85258
- If you're under 19, you can also call 0800 1111 to talk to Childline. The number will not appear on your phone bill.
You can also find a list of services available for anyone needing mental health support on ‘help in a crisis’ page on our website.
Urgent support
If you are in need of urgent mental Health support, please contact NHS 111 and speak to our Mental Health Triage Service.
If you are experiencing a life-threatening emergency, please call 999.