top of page

MENTAL HEALTH AWARENESS


Stalkers!


This week is Mental Health Awareness Week, which is an opportunity to raise awareness of issues surrounding mental health, and to advocate for change!


The theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is loneliness.


What we were not aware of at HQ is just how many people there are that feel lonely.


Did you know that 1 in 4 adults feel lonely, some or all of the time? There’s no single cause, and there’s no 'one solution' to fit all, after all, we’re all in different boats!


But, the longer we feel lonely, the more we are at risk of mental health problems. Of course, some people are also at higher risk of feeling lonely than others, but we could all do with a little help at times.


The Mental Health Foundation founded Mental Health Awareness Day 21 years ago and it is celebrated annually in May.


Millions of us experience loneliness from time to time. Evidence has shown that the longer we stay feeling lonely, the more we are at risk of mental health problems, which due to last couple of years, sadly, has expenentially increased.


Loneliness deserves more attention, and we’re calling on everyone who has struggled as a result of being lonely to share their experiences.


We must work together as individuals, as a society, and through government policy, to reduce loneliness and prevent mental health problems by investing in welcoming, social spaces and new community initiatives.


Are you aware of any local initiatives here in Northwich? Please share them with us, either in person or below so we can spread the word.


The Mental Health Foundation is a UK charity established in 1949. They are involved in community and peer programmes, research the causes of poor mental health, lead public awareness campaigns (like this week), and advocate for change to address underlying causes of poor mental health.


If you are concerned that you are developing a mental health problem, you should seek the advice and support of your GP as a matter of priority.


If you are in distress and need immediate help and are unable to see a GP, you should visit your local A&E. Please do not stay quiet, it is nothing to feel ashamed about and is a very strong first step to take.


The Mental Health Foundation is a charity specialising in research and policy development, with a focus on preventing mental health problems. They are not able to advise people directly on their personal circumstances, but below we have listed details on services and organisations that can offer help and support directly to people with mental health problems:


💚The Samaritans offer emotional support 24 hours a day - in full confidence.


Call 116 123 - it's FREE

Or email jo@samaritans.org


💚For support in a crisis, Text Shout to 85258.


If you’re experiencing a personal crisis, are unable to cope and need support, Shout can help with urgent issues such as:


-Suicidal thoughts

-Abuse or assault

-Self-harm

-Bullying

-Relationship challenges


💚You can call the Rethink advice and information line Monday to Friday, 10am-2pm for practical advice on:


-Available types of therapy and medication

-Benefits, debt, money issues

-Police, courts, prison etc

-Your rights under the Mental Health Act


Call Rethink on 0300 5000 927 (calls are charged at your local rate).


💚Mind offer an information line to answer questions about:


-Types of mental health problems

-Where to get help

-Drug and alternative treatments

-Advocacy


Call the Mind infoline on 0300 123 3393 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary considerably) - Or you can email info@mind.org.uk.



💚If you need legal advice, you can speak to Mind about:


-Mental health

-Mental capacity

-Community care

-Human rights and discrimination/equality related to mental health issues.


Call the Mind Legal Advice service on 0300 466 6463 (UK landline calls are charged at local rates, and charges from mobile phones will vary considerably) - Or you can email legal@mind.org.uk.


💚You may find it helpful to talk to your partner, a relative or a friend about your problems. They may be concerned about you and welcome the opportunity to hear what you have to say. If this is not possible, you may prefer to talk to someone else you can trust, like a faith leader or a tutor.


It can be difficult to know how to bring this up. You can find out more about friendships and how to tell your friends here:


https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/a-to-z/f/friendship-and-mental-health


💚Your GP may be the first person you talk to about your mental health problems. If you have a good relationship with your doctor, you may find it helpful just to know there is someone you can talk to about the feelings you are having. Your GP may refer you to specialist services if he/she feels they will help you, or, if you do not want to tell your assigned GP, did you know that you can call your doctors and ask reception for a different GP to talk to?


💡There is a light somewhere at the end of that tunnel you're lost in.


Most people recover from mental health problems without needing to go into hospital. There are a number of specialist services that provide various treatments, including counselling and other talking treatments.


💚You may also need help with other aspects of your life - for example, claiming benefits or dealing with housing problems. Often these different services are coordinated by a community mental health team (CMHT).


CMHTs are usually based either at a hospital or a local community mental health centre. Some teams provide 24-hour services so that you can contact them in a crisis. If you are already in contact with a CMHT you may find it useful to keep their number by your phone in case you need it. Otherwise you should be able to contact your local CMHT via your local social services or social work team.


💚Accessing Support:

How to get support for your mental health, or for someone else:


A summary of the different ways you can access help and support for your mental health can be found here:


https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/getting-help


💚Some really helpful advice and tips / things to try on multiple subjects surrounding mental health for yourself or to help with someone in your life can be found here:


https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications


💚Bonus - We've found a really helpful wellbeing pack from the Red Cross that is free to download and full of helpful tips too, you can grab yours here:


https://www.redcross.org.uk/get-help/get-help-with-loneliness/wellbeing-support?c_code=175151&c_source=google&c_name=aviva%20wellbeing%20&adg=&c_creative=generic&c_medium=cpc&gclid=CjwKCAjwve2TBhByEiwAaktM1AWDqrQF5v5udJEz5WIn_47AQYKE2Aq3lJWMcjkqN61ufLPk0bbM5xoCUnAQAvD_BwE


We really hope that this has been helpful to those of you who needed to read this blog today, and always know that we can lend a none judgemental listening ear, if you so need it.


We shall be donating all profits made from our hair care ranges sold across today, tomorrow & Saturday to The Mental Health Foundation in support of all the hard work, campaigns and research they do to help make our lives a more comfortable one to continue in.


Nobody has to be lonely.


Speak soon Stalkers 💚




Comments


bottom of page