World Mental Health Day 10th October 2014
World Mental Health Day is observed on 10 October every year, with the overall objective of raising awareness of mental health issues around the world and mobilizing efforts in support of mental health.
Respond run a number of Wellbeing Workshops for parents nationally. These programmes aim to support parents with social and personal development through a range of health and wellbeing initiatives. Workshops include relaxation techniques, stress management, healthy cooking/eating, confidence building and physical health.
Please see details of three of our wellbeing programmes, just click on each locations below :
Mental wellbeing is something we should take steps to protect in the same way we guard our physical wellbeing. Good mental wellbeing allows us to get the most out of spending time with family and friends and it helps us through difficult times.
Here are some tips on things you can do to improve your mental wellbeing:
Be mindful
Mindfulness is a mind-body based approach that helps people change the way they think and feel about their experiences, especially stressful experiences. It is a potentially life-changing way to alter our feelings in positive ways, and an ever-expanding body of evidence shows that it really works. But what does mindfulness mean. Mark Williams, professor of clinical psychology at the Oxford Mindfulness Centre, says that mindfulness means knowing directly what is going on inside and outside ourselves, moment by moment. This means waking up to the sights, sounds, smells and tastes of the present moment. That might be something as simple as the feel of a banister as we walk upstairs. Trying new things, such as sitting in a different seat in meetings or going somewhere new for lunch, can also help you notice the world in a new way.
Get involved
Try to meet more people, build a network of friends and get involved in activities. It makes all the difference in maintaining good mental health. Join a club, socialise more often, do a course – there are many options if you look around.
Keep active
Try to incorporate regular exercise into your daily or weekly routine – even a 30 minute walk makes a surprising difference. It’s most effective on the very days when you don’t feel your best so try to make the effort even when you don’t feel like it. Group activities are great because everyone helps to motivate each other.
Eat healthily
A healthy diet will not only help the way you feel, but also the way you think. Try to eat regularly and aim to eat a balanced diet every day. Good food is essential for both your mind and body to work properly. Have a look at www.safefood.eu or www.indi.ie for some dietary tips.
Relax
Try to make time to relax. Fit things into your day that help you unwind like listening to music, reading, watching TV or treating yourself to a luxurious bubble-bath. Find something that you enjoy that works for you. In a busy workday even 10 minutes of downtime away from your desk can help you manage stress better.
Talk about it
Anyone can feel isolated and overwhelmed by problems. Talking about it always helps. Even though sometimes we may feel so bad we don’t want to bother friends or family, just remember that they care and would want to help. If you feel unable to talk to those close to you, you can call a helpline such as The Samaritans on 116 123.
Ask for help
If you were feeling physically sick you would see a doctor – and the same applies to mental health and wellbeing. Don’t think that just because a mental health issue can’t be seen it doesn’t count, or that you are wasting the Doctor’s time. It’s OK to accept you may not always be able to cope. Mental health issues are much more common than you might think, even among people who may seem strong. We all need help from time to time.
Information gathered by LAYA from www.hse.ie, www.nhs.uk, www.who.int