Health and Wellbeing
NHS Mental Health teams
At any one time, one in six of us in the UK experiences a common mental disorder such as depression or anxiety.
Mental health conditions - Mental Health UK (mentalhealth-uk.org)
Poor mental health is an important public health challenge and significant mental health inequalities exist in Scotland. Improving the mental health and wellbeing of the population is a national priority because this is recognised as having a positive effect on many different aspects of society.
As our publication Good Mental Health for All alludes to, good mental health is essential in achieving and improving outcomes for individuals, families and communities. As such, it underpins successful delivery of a wide range of national priorities and strategy commitments.
The above links will take you to the NHS Health Scotland website and also the Mental Health UK website, both of which as a wealth of information and resources to help support people in relation to, and more:
Mental Health Inequalities
The impact of Covid-19 on mental health
Supporting Men’s and Children’s mental Health
How to intervene and support people struggling with mental health
How to recognise potential mental health struggles in people?
So how do you spot if someone has a mental health problem – and what can you do to support them?
Some signs that someone might be at risk include:
Being withdrawn or lost in thought
Losing their sense of humour
Being erratic, unusually agitated, tearful, or, conversely, emotionless
Changes in appetite, weight or sleep patterns
Increased alcohol consumption
So if you think someone you know might be at risk of mental health difficulties, what should you do?
Start by saying you’ve noticed a change in their mood or behaviour - without being critical.
Say you’re concerned and ask if they’d like to talk.
Don’t downplay their problems or say things like “what do you have to be depressed about?”
Listen and give them space to describe how they’re feeling.
Encourage them to see their GP or offer to go with them to see a health professional.
If you think they’re at risk of suicide, you can call the emergency services, or call their GP for an emergency appointment
Mindfulness
What is mindfulness?
Mindfulness is a technique individuals can learn which involves noticing what's happening in the present moment, without judgement. People might take notice and be aware of your mind, body or surroundings. The technique has roots in Buddhism and meditation, but people don't have to be spiritual, or have any particular beliefs, to try it.
Mindfulness aims to help people to:
become more self-aware
feel calmer and less stressed
feel more able to choose how to respond to your thoughts and feelings
cope with difficult or unhelpful thoughts
be kinder towards yourself.
Physical Health
Benefits of exercise
Benefits of exercise - NHS (www.nhs.uk)
It's the miracle cure we've all been waiting for. It can reduce people’s risk of major illnesses, such as coronary heart disease, stroke, type 2 diabetes and cancer and lower the risk of early death by up to 30%. It also greatly helps address peoples mental health issues and can reduce stress and anxiety that people may be experiencing.
It's free, easy to take, has an immediate effect and people don't need a GP to get some. Its name? Exercise.
Check physical activity guidelines for:
Exercise is the miracle cure we've always had, but for too long we've neglected to take our recommended dose. Our health is now suffering as a consequence. Whatever a person’s age age, there's strong scientific evidence that being physically active can help people lead a healthier and happier life.
People who exercise regularly have a lower risk of developing many long-term (chronic) conditions, such as heart disease, type 2 diabetes, stroke, and some cancers.
Research shows that physical activity can also boost self-esteem, mood, sleep quality and energy, as well as reducing your risk of stress, clinical depression, dementia and Alzheimer's disease.