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Everyone has different levels of mental health, from extremely happy through to serious mental illnesses like depression. Middlesbrough and the north east regularly score poorly on mental health league tables, but as a community we can try and improve this.
If you’re struggling with your mental health and want to speak with a professional, you can find out more about the services available on the support in Middlesbrough page, or you can visit your GP.
This page will help you to explore your own mental wellbeing, and as well as support those around you.
We know that we need to take care of our mental health just like we do with our physical health. We all know that we should eat well, drink lots of water, and exercise, to stay physically healthy. But how many of us know how to look after our mental health?
When you’re starting your mental health journey, it’s easiest to start by making small and manageable changes. If you start with changes which you’re likely to be able to maintain, these will eventually become habit.
The 5 ways to wellbeing is a staple of mental health and support services. You can find out more about the 5 ways to wellbeing on the the Mind website.
As you’re reading through this list, think about how you could weave these steps into your daily life.
Connect with other people!
Call an old friend or distant relative, ask a new co-worker if they want to sit with you at lunch, join a community group.
Who will you connect with?
Do something for someone else!
Volunteer for a local community group, ask your neighbour if they need any help, or have a mate date with someone in need of a listening ear.
How can you help others?
Move your body!
Go for a run / walk / swim / dance, join a class with a friend, or go it alone in the great outdoors.
How can you move more?
Take notice of your environment!
Turn off your phone for an hour, try a new walking trail, or simply spend some extra moments in your local park.
What do you notice?
Learn something new!
Read a new book, try your hand at knitting, or take a free online course in a completely new subject.
What do you want to learn?
Action for Happiness have identified 10 keys which tend to make life happier and more fulfilling. You can see the 10 keys here, or you can visit the Action for Happiness website to find out more.
Giving
Do kind things for others
Relating
Connect with people
Exercising
Take care of your body
Awareness
Live life mindfully
Trying out
Keep learning new things
Direction
Have goals to look forward to
Resilience
Find ways to bounce back
Emotions
Look for what’s good
Acceptance
Be comfortable with who you are
Meaning
Be part of something bigger
Resilience is your ability to bounce back when times are hard. The more resilient we are, the less likely we are to be knocked down by stress.
The ABCs of resilience are a great way to build resilience.
A – awareness – first explore what’s going on around you and what’s causing you stress
B – being well – focus on your physical wellbeing and having positive social connections
C – coping – know how to manage your emotions, thoughts, and feelings, and get support
Practice makes perfect, so try to use the ABCs as much as possible.
Life can get very stressful, especially if you have a lot going on. Taking time to stop when things get too much can be a great way of breaking free of anger or other negative emotions.
When your emotions are getting on top of you, find a quiet place and try to notice 5 things.
Notice 5 things you can see
Take big deep breaths in between each thing you notice.
Notice 5 things you can hear
Take big deep breaths in between each thing you notice.
Notice 5 things you can touch
Take big deep breaths in between each thing you notice.
How do you feel now? What did you see, hear, and feel?
You can find lots of support, including self-help guides, online, including:
Self-help guides (Tees, Esk & Wear Valleys NHS Foundation Trust)
