No one should ever feel alone with their mental health. Making wellbeing and mental health a global priority…
“World Mental Health Day is also a chance to talk about mental health in general, how we need to look after it, and how important it is to talk about things and get help if you are struggling.” Mental Health Foundation
How many People are affected by Mental Health conditions?
According to the World Health Organisation (WHO) before the pandemic in 2019 an estimated one in eight people globally were living with a mental disorder. The pandemic has created a global crisis for mental health, fuelling short- and long-term stresses and undermining the mental health of millions. It is estimated that anxiety and depressive disorders have risen more than 25% since the first year of the pandemic. At the same time, mental health services have been severely disrupted and the treatment gap for mental health conditions has widened.
What can you do to help yourself and others?
Talk about your feelings
- Talking about your feelings can help you stay in good mental health and can be a source of support when most needed.
- Talking about your feelings isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s part of taking charge of your well-being and doing what you can to stay healthy.
Stay active - Put on your trainers and raincoat…
- Exercise releases ‘feel good’ chemicals called endorphins in the brain which can improve mood.
- A recent study done by the Harvard School of Public Health found that running for 15 minutes a day or walking for an hour can reduce the risk of major depression by 26%.
- Exercise can also help to regulate sleep
Sleep well
- We all have times when we can’t sleep, and in some circumstances, situations make a good night’s sleep impossible. People with mental health conditions have reported that poor sleep is the first thing they noticed prior to diagnosis.
- Adults need between 7 and 9 hours of sleep a night.
- Try adopting a good night time routine including; minimising screen time, alcohol and caffeine before bed.
- For more suggestions, try this guide to sleep and mental health
Eat and drink well
- There are strong links between what we eat and how we feel. For example, caffeine and sugar can have an immediate effect on our mood.
- Your brain needs a mix of nutrients to stay healthy and function well, just like the other organs in your body.
- We often drink alcohol to change our mood, but the effect is only temporary.
- Occasional light drinking is perfectly healthy and enjoyable for most people, however aim to stay within the recommended weekly alcohol limit of 14 units a week for both men and women
Ask for help
- No one is superhuman and sometimes we get tired or overwhelmed by how we feel or when things go wrong. If things are getting too much for you ask for help.
- There are dedicated Mental Health first aiders working in most departments in the University of Chester and can be contacted by staff or students for advice.
- Local NHS services and Chester University wellbeing services are there to help you.
- Students can contact and access confidential university wellbeing services for either advice or appointments with Student Wellbeing Advisers. Further information regarding this can be found at the Information Point located in Binks 005 or on the website (listed I useful contacts below).
- GP’s are able to offer support, treatments and refer for counselling services.
- Over a third of visits to GPs are about mental health, so don’t feel embarrassed contacting them.
- If you're in crisis or ever I need of urgent help, there are many helplines staffed by trained people ready to listen. They can be contacted 24 hours a day (the link to services are included in the helpful resources below).
Key Contacts
Chester University wellbeing services:
https://www1.chester.ac.uk/student-support-and-wellbeing/our-services
How to access NHS mental health services:
https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/social-care-and-your-rights/how-to-access-mental-health-services/
Information about World Health Mental Health Day:
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/
How to access Mental Health Crisis support (24-hour services):
https://www.nhs.uk/nhs-services/mental-health-services/where-to-get-urgent-help-for-mental-health/
References
Mental disorders. Who.int. (2022). Retrieved 10 October 2022, from https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-disorders.
Mental Health Foundation | Good mental health for all. Mental Health Foundation. (2022). Retrieved 10 October 2022, from https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/.
More evidence that exercise can boost mood - Harvard Health. Harvard Health. (2022). Retrieved 10 October 2022, from https://www.health.harvard.edu/mind-and-mood/more-evidence-that-exercise-can-boost-mood.
