East Lancs Healthy Minds

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Combat Stress Helpline Launched
04 April 2011
Mental Health and Dementia Servi
02 March 2011
Emotional Health and Wellbeing D
18 February 2011
FREE Mental Health First Aid
06 January 2011
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10 December 2010
Mental Health Helpline
15 December 2009
 
Ten positive steps to mental wellbeing
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Ways to look after your mental health

Do you want to make some changes to look after your mental health and wellbeing. Below are 12 suggestions to help you do this. They are all popular and proven ways to help improve your mental health.

 

1. Talk about your feelings

Sharing your feelings with others and being listened to can help enormously.

For further information please visit We Need to Talk campaign


2. Keep active

Physical activity is a proven way to keep mentally well. Exercise makes us feel better immediately through the release of uplifting chemicals into our bodies.

It can also help us concentrate, sleep better, and look and feel better in all sorts of ways. It can also be a great way to meet people!

Click on the links below for more information:

Rossendale www.rltrust.co.uk
Pendle www.pendlelife.co.uk
Burnley www.burnley.gov.uk
Hyndburn www.hyndburnbc.gov.uk
Ribble Valley 1 www.ribblevalley.gov.uk
Ribble Valley 2 www.ribblevalley.gov.uk

3. Eat well

A balanced diet is essential to maintaining good mental health. Research shows direct links between what we eat and our mental wellbeing.


4. Drink sensibly

Even though it can make us feel good in the short term, alcohol is a depressant. Sensible drinking is important, particularly when we are feeling low or anxious.

Help line: 0800 678 1110

This has been provided by Drinkline which is the government funded alcohol advice and support telephone helpline. Uniquely, East Lancashire has been given its own number. It is staffed by counsellors and is a national help line with a good reputation for providing advice and support to people who are concerned about their alcohol consumption.

Text: SAYWHEN to 60033
We are using a text messaging facility as the research suggested people are likely to use it. The message on the text facility is promoting the ‘Altn8 (alternate)’ message which has been successfully promoted elsewhere.


5. Keep in touch with friends and loved ones

Close relationships have a huge impact on how we feel on a daily basis so manage them the best way you know how.

Find out more about friendship and mental health


6. Ask for help

If you think you may need more than a friend’s listening ear, see your GP and be clear about how you feel. Think about seeing a counsellor. Talking therapies can help you work through their problems.

Find out more about asking for help


7. Take a break

A change of scene can change the way we feel about things.


8. Do something you're good at

Activities can distract you from feeling negative and promote a sense of well-being through achievement.


9. Accept who you are

Accepting ourselves, acknowledging both our good and bad points, can help us to see things in perspective.

It can help us to set realistic expectations of ourselves, play to our strengths, and accept the things we can’t do.


10. Care for others

Helping other people or looking after a pet can make us feel useful and needed.

It may also give structure to our daily routine.


11. Learn New Skills

Learning something new stimulates your mind, boosts your confidence and can give you a new interest in life and you might meet new people too!

See our Education section under the interactive resource directory


12. Get involved and make a contribution

Feeling isolated can increase feelings of depression or low self-confidence. Help yourself by making an effort to enjoy the social scene a bit more. Getting involved in group activities can take your mind off your worries, and other people can be a great source of support.

For more information on volunteering contact the Council for Voluntary Services in your area:

(Burnley, Pendle & Rossendale) www.bprcvs.co.uk or (Hyndburn & Ribble Valley) www.hrvcvs.org.uk