Section Title Introduction to Mental Health Awareness presentation

Section Title Introduction to Mental Health Awareness presentation Presentation slides adapted from Minds Blue Light – MH Awareness

As a group we will • • • Listen to those around us Be non-judgmental Share if we feel comfortable to do so Be aware of your own mental health throughout Take a break if you need to do so Make a safe learning environment to make people feel able to be as honest as they would like to be.

Mental health quiz 1. How many people in the UK will experience a mental health problem every year? 1 in 4, 1 in 8, 1 in 2. 2. What proportion of people with mental health problems believe that workplace stress contributed to their illness? 1 in 5, 1 in 3, 2 in 3. 3. Which country’s Prime Minister was re-elected in 2001 after publicly taking time off for depression? Mexico, Norway, Poland

Definitions of mental health “Good mental health means being generally able to think, feel and react in the ways that you need and want to live your life. But if you go through a period of poor mental health you might find the ways you're frequently thinking, feeling or reacting become difficult, or even impossible, to cope with. This can feel just as bad as a physical illness, or even worse. ” Mind

Definitions of mental health Mental wellbeing describes your mental state - how you are feeling and how well you can cope with day-to-day life. Our mental wellbeing is dynamic. It can change from moment to moment, day to day, month to month or year to year. ’ Mind

What does good mental health look like? If you have good mental wellbeing, you are able to: • Recognise the good in yourself, such as your positive attributes and achievements you have made. • Feel and express a range of emotions. • Feel engaged with the world around you. • Live and work productively. • Cope with the stresses of daily life and manage times of change and uncertainty.

Mental health Continuum

Types of mental health problems • • • Anxiety Depression Eating problems Schizophrenia Phobias Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Bipolar disorder Personality disorders PTSD

Suicidal feelings • Suicidal feelings can range from being preoccupied by abstract thoughts about ending your life, or feeling that people would be better off without you, to thinking about methods of suicide, or making clear plans to take your own life. • If you are feeling suicidal, you might be scared or confused by these feelings. But you are not alone. Many people think about suicide at some point in their lifetime

How can I help someone experiencing suicidal feelings? • • • Try not to judge Talk to the person about how they feel Encourage them to get help Ask them how you can help Help them stay safe Look out for warning signs

What is Stress ? “Stress is the adverse reaction people have to excessive pressure or other types of demand placed on them” Health and Safety Executive

Stress versus good pressure

What are mental health problems? • • Mental health problems can affect any of us irrespective of age, personality or background. They include a wide range of experiences and can affect the way people think, feel or behave. They can appear as a result of experiences in both our personal and working lives – or they can come about without any easily identifiable cause. Some problems may be mild or moderate while others may take on a more severe form, affecting a person’s ability to cope with day-to-day living.

Types of mental health problems • • • Anxiety Depression Eating problems Schizophrenia Phobias Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Bipolar disorder Personality disorders PTSD

Psychosis is when you perceive or interpret reality in a very different way from people around you. Can take the form of: • Hallucinations • Delusions • Disorganised thinking and speech

How can I help myself or someone else? • Self-care • Treatment options • Recovery • Peer support

Managing conversations

Being there for your colleague Champions @ sharing their stories - video

How might you start the conversation? • • Show your support Ask how you can help Be open-minded Don’t just talk about mental health Show trust and respect Look after yourself Be patient

Signposting • Your Employee Assistance Programme • Information that’s available from unions and other membership bodies • Disability Support Groups • External organisations that offer mental health support, such as your local Mind • Information around how to access counselling or therapy in your local area • Local and national helplines • Online peer support resources e. g. Elefriends www. elefriends. org. uk • Samaritans: free phone 116 123 (UK) or email jo@samaritans. org • Mind website: http: //www. mind. org. uk/ • Rethink – Mental Illness website: https: //www. rethink. org/ • Create your own signposting list

Mental wellbeing is just as important as physical wellbeing, and you need to maintain both in order to stay fit and healthy

How you can look after your wellbeing https: //www. flickr. com/photos/sachac/

How you can look after your wellbeing • Talk about the way you feel • Identify your triggers • Do something you enjoy • Take time to relax • Make a plan to stay well – Wellness Action Plan • Think about what helps you if you start feeling overwhelmed • Be kind to yourself – we are all human!