Today marks World Mental Health Day which encourages us all to focus on our mental or emotional health. All of us have faced different challenges over the last year from home schooling, working from home, illness or even bereavement. World Mental Health Day can help us look at how we are feeling and work towards making some positive changes.
The Mental Health Foundation says:
“Some people call mental health ‘emotional health’ or ‘well-being’ and it’s just as important as good physical health. Mental health is everyone’s business. We all have times when we feel down or stressed or frightened. Most of the time those feelings pass. But sometimes they develop into a more serious problem and that could happen to any one of us. Everyone is different. You may bounce back from a setback while someone else may feel weighed down by it for a long time.
Your mental health doesn’t always stay the same. It can change as circumstances change and as you move through different stages of your life. There’s a stigma attached to mental health problems. This means that people feel uncomfortable about them and don’t talk about them much. Many people don’t even feel comfortable talking about their feelings. But it’s healthy to know and say how you’re feeling.”
The Mental Health Foundation has 10 Top Tips for managing your mental health
If you are struggling with your mental health or just want to talk to others in a similar situation there’s lots of support out there for you and your family.
Lewisham Mindful Mums
Lewisham Mindful Mums helps pregnant women and new mums in Lewisham look after themselves during what can be a challenging period of their lives. Since it started in 2016, Mindful Mums has supported over a thousand women.
Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)
Our helpline and webchat is open 5pm-midnight 365 days a year and is for people in the UK who are down or have hit a wall for any reason, who need to talk or find information and support.
Anxiety UK
Sometimes fighting anxiety can feel like a losing battle, however you’re not alone – we’re here to help. And you’re not alone in feeling anxious – millions of people experience short and long-term anxiety. Being a member of Anxiety UK enables you to access a package of support and to become part of a community of people who live with and understand anxiety.
Depression
Depression is a low mood that lasts for a long time, and affects your everyday life. In its mildest form, depression can mean just being in low spirits. It doesn’t stop you leading your normal life but makes everything harder to do and seem less worthwhile. At its most severe, depression can be life-threatening because it can make you feel suicidal.
Samaritans
For urgent support:
Ask the person if they will go to Accident and Emergency at Lewisham Hospital to be assessed by the Psychiatric Liaison Service:
University Hospital Lewisham
Lewisham High Street
SE13 6LH
Tel: 020 8333 3000.
If you think the person is at risk of causing harm to themselves and/or others then call the police on 999.
Call the South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trust at any time, every day of the year, who can point you in the right direction on 0800 731 2864.
