Mental Health Events

Media Influences

So, I,'m looking at the BBC news site this morning and I find a local article entitled 'Plan to free psychotic killer.' Another example of the media's need to equate homicidal tendencies with mental illness. I read the article and there seems to be an implication that releasing this man would be a mistake. Funny, isn't it how if you don't have a mental illness you serve a sentence and then are released without any media fuss. And I thought that campaigns, like Time to Change, were helping to reduce stigma for people with mental illness!

Clearing Madness

So, it's that time of the year when students get their A level results and the battle for uni places begins. There have been stories in the media about A grade students not getting the place they had hoped for. My concern is the importance that is placed on the only future being the one where a student gets the grades they desire and the university of their choice. It is a lot of pressure to put young people under at the start of their future. Some break under the strain and we inevitably hear of students who consider suicide because the alternative future is not the one they had planned. I also see failing students here who feel that they have let themselves and others down if they do not achieve what is somehow subliminally expected of them. I try to tell them that maybe there is a different future ahead or a new path to travel but it is difficult for them to see. My past has not been one of A levels, a university degree and a glittering career. Some of it involved surviving on benefits with two young children. However, I would not change my past as it has made me what I am now. I have a job I enjoy that is rewarding. Maybe we can only appreciate the future we have when it becomes the past we learnt from. I leave you with this quote.

'What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us'

Ralph Waldo Emerson

Do you want to make a difference?

Do you have a view about mental illness? Does stigma concern you? Maybe you think that we should all be looking after our mental health. If you want to get involved in a group in Bedfordshire that aims to be a voice for mental well being then follow the link below.

http://madforwellbeing.com/index.html

The site also has a list of events throughout the year in which you may want to participate. Follow the blog, or follow the group on facebook

http://www.facebook.com/pages/MAD-For-Wellbeing/129448107132687

and twitter

http://www.twitter.com/#!/MADForWellbeing

Mental Health at Work

Do you worry about disclosing that you are stressed or depressed at work. It seems, that despite improvements in attitudes towards people experiencing mental health difficulties, employers continue to discriminate and workers have been forced to leave their jobs. A MIND survey in May found that 7 in 10 who completed the survey feel their boss would not help them cope with stress. 22% also said that they had been sacked or forced out of their jobs following disclosure of mental health difficulties.

See the link to the survey at:

http://www.mind.org.uk/news/5053_workers_face_the_sack_for_admitting_they_feel_stressed

One way to tackle these issues is for employers to introduce workplace policies that promote mental well being for all staff. Do you think your workplace will support you if you are experiencing mental distress? Maybe we should all be checking our HR polices and pushing for change, where necessary.

5 a day to improve your mental health

1. Connect… With the people around you. With family, friends, colleagues and neighbours. At home, work, school or in your local community. Think of these as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing them. Building these connections will support and enrich you every day.

2. Be active… Go for a walk or run. Step outside. Cycle. Play a game. Garden. Dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity you enjoy and that suits your level of mobility and fitness.

3. Take notice… Be curious. Catch sight of the beautiful. Remark on the unusual. Notice the changing seasons. Savour the moment, whether you are walking to work, eating lunch or talking to friends. Be aware of the world around you and what you are feeling. Reflecting on your experiences will help you appreciate what matters to you.

4. Keep learning… Try something new. Rediscover an old interest. Sign up for that course. Take on a different responsibility at work. Fix a bike. Learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you enjoy achieving. Learning new things will make you more confident as well as being fun.

5. Give … Do something nice for a friend, or a stranger. Thank someone. Smile. Volunteer your time. Join a community group. Look out, as well as in. Seeing yourself, and your happiness, as linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around you.

Government Office for Science (2008). Adults and Children: Mental Ill-Health. In: The Foresight Report Mental Capital and Wellbeing: Making the Most of Ourselves in the 21st Century. London: 22 - 23.

Well Being Podcasts

It's important to take time out and relax to look after your mental health and wellbeing These podcasts from the Mental Health Foundation are free to download and help with relaxation techniques and ideas on how to manage stress, anxiety and improve sleep. You can listen to them on a computer or an MP3 player

http://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/help-information/podcasts/