Mental Health Awareness Week

The theme for Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 is Anxiety

 MHAW 23 Graphic

We have pulled together information about Mental Health Awareness and the theme Anxiety. 

 
What is anxiety?
Anxiety is a normal emotion in us all, but sometimes it can get out of control and become a mental health problem.
 
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems we can face. In a recent mental health survey carried out by Mental health Foundation around stress, anxiety and hopelessness over personal finances, a quarter of adults said they felt so anxious that it stopped them from doing the things they want to do some or all of the time. Six in ten adults feel this way, at least some of the time. On a positive note, anxiety can be made easier to manage.
 
Anxiety can affect us physically and mentally. If you are feeling anxious, you might notice your heart rate increasing, headaches, loss of appetite, breathlessness or chest pain. (If you are experiencing these symptoms, you should see a healthcare professional to rule out another physical cause). Anxiety might make you feel tense or nervous, find it hard to relax, feel tearful or have problems sleeping and concentrating. Friends or family might notice you are more irritable than usual, or more withdrawn. Or perhaps you seem fine on the outside but feel panicky inside.
 
What works will be different from person to person. Things that might be helpful include being active, getting out in nature, practising breathing techniques, getting support to tackle money worries or eating well. Talking to a friend, or spending time with loved ones, is often a good first step.
 
Visit the Mental Health Foundation website for more information about Mental Health Awareness Week and information about where and how to find support. 

 

Support in the Community  

Sutton Mental Health Foundation is a community mental health support service for anyone over the age of 18 living in the London Borough of Sutton. You don't need a formal referral to use any of their support services, wellbeing activities or events.  Find out more about the services and support they provide here
 
You can listen to some of Sutton Mental Health Foundation's service users share their own personal experiences around Mental Health, Stigma & Support.  Watch the short video below or click here to watch from You Tube 

 

Mental Health and Wellbeing Support  

Sutton Uplift is a partnership between the NHS and local voluntary sector organisations focusing on supporting mental, physical and social needs.  There are a number of ways they can support mental health and wellbeing needs including:

  • Self-management courses, education and training

  • Evidence based psychological therapies

  • Psychiatric assessments and mental health evidence-based treatment pathways.

  • Recovery and wellbeing support including employment and welfare benefits advice

  • Peer Support

  • Physical health assessments and advice

Find out more by visiting their website

 

Supporting your staff teams

NCVO have put together some useful information to help spot the early signs of mental health problems and help you to create a supportive working environment. Take a look

 

Supporting Men's Mental Health

Men’s Minds Matter focuses on developing psychological interventions for people in suicidal crisis.  Along with training for professionals, carers, friends, families, and communities, the website also contains information and resources.
Find out more

 

Online Mental Health Support

Good Thinking is an online service that helps Londoners look after their mental health and wellbeing in a way that works for them. They have produced a short guide with different resources. Since its launch in 2017 more than 700,000 people have used their digital service to tackle anxiety, stress low mood, sleep problems and other concerns. Find out more about using the online guides

 

Free NHS Mental Health Support Services
 

NHS Recovery Cafés are a walk-in out of hours mental health support service which you don’t need a referral or an appointment for. The cafés offer a safe and welcoming space for all adults living in south west London who are struggling with their mental health or feel at risk of going into a crisis.
Sutton Crisis Café - Sutton - 63 Downs Road, Belmont, Sutton, SM2 5NR. Email: admin@smfh.org.uk or call 020 8770 0172 (please ring ahead before you turn up).
 
The 24/7 Mental Health Crisis Line - 0800 028 8000 - is there if you’re experiencing a mental health crisis and need urgent help. It is open to everyone: both children and adults of all ages, and to people who haven’t previously accessed mental health services. The crisis line’s team of trained NHS mental health professionals will help you to get the care and support you need.
For more information, visit: If you need help with your mental health today, we’re here for you (swlstg.nhs.uk)

 

Learn how to help yourself and others

Thrive LDN created a space to bring together ideas, inspiration and resources to help build your resilience and improve wellbeing and to learn from community experiences. Help Yourself and Others focuses on things that enable good wellbeing, alongside free wellbeing training opportunities. Visit their webpage for more information .

 

Feel confident speaking with colleagues, friends and family

Thrive LDN have a conversation starter tool called SIGNSS which can help you feel confident engaging with friends, family, neighbours or those you support in your community or workplace about good mental health, wellbeing and financial worries. Visit the website to find out more the tool and how to use it.