Tuesday 10 October marked World Mental Health Day.  In recognition of the awareness day, NHS South Yorkshire is encouraging people across the area to be aware of the possible signs of mental health conditions and seek the support that they or someone they care about need.

Each year World Mental Health Day aims to improve knowledge, raise awareness, and drive actions that promote and protect everyone’s mental health. The day is a great opportunity for us all to take some time to think about mental health and how we can best support ourselves and each other.

It is estimated that 1 in 4 of us experience mental health difficulties at some point which can be difficult to open-up and talk about them.  While it is common to sometimes feel down or anxious for short periods of time, this can lead to lengthy periods of depression and anxiety which can have a huge impact on daily life.

Having good mental health is vital to our overall wellbeing. Poor mental health can affect our emotional and physical health, as well as our relationships with the people around us, including family and friends.

There are little things we can all do to lift our mood or ease our anxiety – we need to find what works for us. This could be as simple as taking a walk in nature, prioritising our sleep or opening up to a friend. Evidence suggests that there are five steps we can take to improve our mental wellbeing and make a difference to our self-esteem. Trying these things could help us feel more positive and able to get the most out of life.

  • Connect with other people. Good relationships are important for mental wellbeing. They can help build a sense of belonging and self-worth and provide emotional support.
  • Be physically active. This can not only improve general health but can help to raise self-esteem and cause chemical changes in the brain which can boost feelings of positivity.
  • Learn new skills. A new skill can help with building a sense of purpose and provide a way of connecting with other people.
  • Give to others. Acts of giving and kindness can help create positive feelings and provide a sense of reward.
  • Pay attention to the present moment. Often referred to as ‘mindfulness’, it can positively impact on how life challenges are approached.

Dr David Crichton, Chief Medical Officer from NHS South Yorkshire said “It is important to remember if you are feeling anxious, worried, or low in mood that you can speak to someone. It really does help to talk and share concerns. Help is available, so please come forward and access the support you need. Everyone deserves to feel well in themselves”.

Wendy Lowder, Executive Lead for Mental Health, Learning Disabilities and Autism, from NHS South Yorkshire said “Mental health can affect people in different ways. The latest research shows us that people are feeling lonely, worrying about finances and employment. My message to everyone is a reminder that there is a vast range of mental health services available for people of all ages across South Yorkshire. I urge everyone to check in with loved ones and ask ‘are you ok?’. Please come forward or encourage someone to reach out if you, a friend, neighbour or relative need to seek advice, particularly as we head into winter".

Across South Yorkshire, there are a number of mental health support services which are free to access that do not require a GP referral.

For feelings of depression, anxiety, or stress, talking therapies, or psychological therapies, are effective confidential treatments delivered by fully trained and accredited NHS practitioners. To find a talking therapies service, visit NHS Talking Therapies.

Kooth is a free digital mental health service for children and young people.  It provides 24 hours a day, seven days a week digital mental health support to those aged 11 to 25. It is available immediately via www.kooth.com.

For information about how to look after your mental wellbeing, visit Every Mind Matters website for resources and helpful tips to help with mental health and general wellbeing. 

For urgent mental health support, but it's not an emergency, get help from NHS 111 online or call 111, or contact one of these organisations to get support straight away.  If you or someone else is in danger, call 999 or go to A&E.

For further information on mental health services across South Yorkshire, please visit our website.