The World Foundation of Mental Health sets the theme for World Mental Health Day which is celebrated on the 10 October every year. This year's focus is ‘Mental health is a universal human right’.
It’s an opportunity for people to come together — to talk about mental health, how to look after it and what to do if we are struggling to cope. It can be easy to say the words demonstrated by @Kateies.self.care.diaries — ‘I’m Fine’ might be what you hear — but that sentence could have many words missing from it as this poignant image shows.
The UK’s Mental Health Foundation has some important but simple tips on talking about mental health. They encourage people to:
Choose someone you trust to talk to
Think carefully about the best place to talk
Prepare yourself for their reaction
There's also advice for people about talking to someone about their mental health. The top tips are to:
Find a good space to talk where there are no distractions
Listen and ask questions
Ask what you can do to help
There are many places where you can get help and support for your mental health. Your GP is usually the first place to go — but you can also call 111 to access the NHS 24 Mental Health Hub when surgeries are closed. There are other alternatives which are all confidential that include the following:
Call Samaritans on 116 123 at any time of the day or night
Call Breathing Space on 0800 83 85 87 or visit their website
Message SHOUT to 85258 for 24/7 text support on your mobile
Call Childline on 0800 1111 or talk to them online if you are a child or young person.
Call the CALM helpline on 0800 58 58 58 or use their webchat here. The helpline and webchat are both open from 5 p.m. to midnight, 365 days a year.
These options are great for those not ready to talk to a medical professional and without someone they can trust.
Everyone has the right to feel well mentally and to have the support they need in order to be able to live a happy and healthy life. The UK Mental Health Foundation focuses on certain groups who face greater challenges in life and therefore need additional support. These are:
Families
Young people
People with long-term health conditions
Refugees and asylum seekers
Find out more here.
So if you are struggling please reach out — even if you aren’t then please read some of the information on the UK Mental Health Foundations website. You never know when you to someone that you know might need a bit of help and support. You could make a huge difference to someone's life — you could even say a life.
Important Links
The UK Mental Health Foundation:https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/world-mental-health-day
UK Mental Health Foundation Support Page: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/node/4621
Breathing Space: https://breathingspace.scot/
Childline: https://www.childline.org.uk/
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