Emotional wellbeing

What should you know about emotional wellbeing?

Details: Published: Friday, 04 November 2016 16:34

Your emotional and mental health and wellbeing are just as important as your physical health. In fact the two are inextricably linked.

Feelings of happiness and sadness are natural reactions to external stimuli and often go hand-in-hand with a complex range of other feelings. The trick is to hold on to and develop the good feelings and to manage the bad ones. Not only can this help you to become a more positive, productive and resilient person, it will prevent you from falling into a spiral of negativity, which could lead to a clinical condition, also triggering physical health problems.

There are many different ways to do this. Because we are all different, some methods will work better for some people than others.

Research has shown that the following key factors are crucial in maintaining a positive mental state:

Social interaction – connecting with or keeping in contact with the people around you and developing these relationships. This includes with your family, friends, colleagues and neighbours.
Being active – Any kind of regular exercise, whether walking, riding a bike or playing a team sport. If you can develop a hobby or take up a sport or other activity then it will improve your physical health and thereby your mental health and it will give you a focus.
Learning – learning new skills can give you a sense of achievement and a new confidence. This could be anything you like, whether musical, mechanical, artistic.
Giving – even the smallest act can count, whether it's a smile, a thank you or a kind word. Larger acts, such as volunteering at your local community centre, can improve your mental wellbeing and help you build new social networks.
Be mindful – be more aware of the present moment, including your thoughts and feelings, your body and the world around you. Some people call this awareness "mindfulness". It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges. Learn more in Mindfulness for mental wellbeing.

However busy and stressful our lives are, it is extremely important that we make time for good things to reinforce the feelings of happiness, enjoyment or relaxation. This could be to do any of the above activities or it could simply be a half-hour here and there when you close your eyes, take a few deep breaths and disconnect from everything around you.

If you think it's all a bit new-age or hippy for you, why not try it and then see what you think? Best of all, try it a few times and then make up your mind.

Where can you go for help?

Details: Published: Friday, 04 November 2016 16:33

If there is anything which is adversely affecting your emotional wellbeing, whether it is stress, anxiety or other issues, there is a range of things you can do.

You can try a number of self-help methods.
If you're experiencing a mental health crisis you can visit the local Safe Haven to talk to people in a similar position or to a mental health worker. No appointment is needed.
Talk to TalkPlus. TalkPLUS is a team of therapists, counsellors and psychologists. They can help with many common problems including depression, anxiety, panic, phobias and low self-esteem. TalkPLUS offers easy access to a wide range of helpful tools and therapies, including Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, as recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).

Mental Health Foundation

A series of quick and easy 'How to...' guides to help you to help yourself manage a range of common mental health issues. Click here for more.

Contact details for local sources of help.

Details: Published: Friday, 04 November 2016 16:33

North East Hampshire & Farnham Recovery College

The Recovery College can support you to improve your health and wellbeing and pursue your own unique life goals, with or without the ongoing symptoms of an illness or condition.

Courses are aimed at everyone aged 18 and over in the North East Hampshire and Farnham area and delivered in a variety of locations. Whether you want to improve your health and wellbeing, have a physical or mental health condition that you want to learn how to manage, or care for someone who has a physical or mental health condition, there are courses for you.

Develop skills such as learning to sleep well or getting into work
Build your confidence and learn how to manage low self-esteem
Maintain a healthy lifestyle with Pilates, seated exercise or healthy eating courses
Explore your creative side with art, music or creative writing
Learn more about physical and mental health conditions

For information about all courses visit www.sabp.nhs.uk/recoverycollege, phone 07920 207046 and ask for the Recovery College or email Recovery.College@sabp.nhs.uk.

TalkPlus

TalkPlus is a team of therapists, counsellors and psychologists. They offer a range of treatments to people who are experiencing symptoms of low mood and depression, anxiety, worry, stress, social anxiety, OCD, PTSD, phobias, insomnia, relationship issues and low self-esteem.

You can download guided self help leaflets and access a range of courses, including:

There are also MP3 downloads which you can download to listen to.

TalkPlus services can be provided face-to-face or over the telephone.

If you are a patient of a GP in Rushmoor, Hart of Farnham then you can either self-refer or be referred through your GP.

Nearly all TalkPLUS courses are held at the main location in The Meads Business Centre, Farnborough.

TalkPlus has three locations where clinics are held in addition to GP practices across the area.

email: Nehccg.talkplus@nhs.net

website: https://www.talkplus.org.uk/

Tel: 01252 533355

Making Connections

Making Connections is a service to enable GPs and other healthcare professionals to link patients with social, emotional or practical needs to a range of local, non-clinical services provided by the voluntary and community sector. Following referral, a co-ordinator will contact you to help work out your needs with you. The aim is to help you set your own goals and support you to achieve these goals.

Making Connections is for anyone aged 18 or older.

The service is run by a partnership between six local charities: Hart Voluntary Action, Rushmoor Voluntary Services, Voluntary Action South West Surrey, Hart Citizens Advice, Rushmoor Citizens Advice and Age UK Surrey.

Rushmoor Healthy Living

Delivering a variety of projects across the local community, working together with individuals, groups and companies with the aim of improving people’s health and wellbeing, whether through exercise and rehabilitation classes or through health education. Running FREE NHS Health Checks throughout Hampshire.

website: www.rhl.org.uk

email: admin@rhl.org.uk

Tel: 01252362660

RIOT Squad (Running Is Our Therapy)

This new running club in Fleet and surrounding areas is helping complete beginners to get from couch to 5k and beyond, demonstrating how good running can make you feel physically and mentally.

Coached sessions:

7am – Tuesday and Thursday mornings
7pm – Monday and Thursday evenings

website: membermojo.co.uk/riotsquad

The Source – Youth Support Services

Offers counselling to young people aged 11-25 either at The Source, Aldershot or if available, at your school.

The Source Young People’s Charity, 237High

Street, Aldershot GU11 1TJ

Tel: 01252 333330

email: info@thesourceforyou.co.uk

Also see physical activity pages.

121 Youth Counselling

Offers one-to-one counselling sessions for 11-25 year olds to talk about whatever you need to, with a qualified counsellor.

website: http://www.hartvolaction.org.uk/121-youth-counselling.php

Hart Voluntary Action Ltd

a local charity which supports the local voluntary and community sector in Hart by offering one-to-one information and guidance, training, information updates, networking opportunities and volunteer recruitment. Its aim is to help voluntary and community organisations sustain or improve their own capacity to deliver services and activities for the local community

Website: www.hartvolaction.org.uk

Email: 121@hartvolactionorg.uk

Tel: 01252 815652

Cornerstone Counselling

Offers qualified counsellors for marital/relationship issues /depression/anxiety and bereavement.

Means tested.

St. Peter’s Church, Chaddisbrook House, Reading

Road, Yateley. Hampshire GU46 7LR.

Tel: 01252 860499

Connect Counselling

Offers a counselling service to individuals and couples and family therapy.

Means tested.

8 Portesbery Road, Camberley, Surrey GU15 3TA

Tel: 01276 24210

Cruse Bereavement Care

Offers support & counselling –both one to one and in groups for anyone who has been affected by a death. Counselling is also available for people who are housebound.

Relies on donations.

5th Floor, Fitzwilliam House, Skimped Hill, Bracknell, Berkshire RG12 1JX

Tel: 01344 411919

The Point Youth Centre (Fleet Phoenix)

Support, information, help & advice for young people (13-25 yrs) around issues that concern them: relationships, substance abuse, training, education etc.

Harlington Way, Fleet. Hampshire GU51 4BP

Tel: 01252 812308/07568 065123

The Vine Centre

33 Station Road, Aldershot GU11 1BA

Focussed on homeless prevention and individuals with underlying mental health issues. Also offer counselling and anger management services, as well as reducing social isolation and loneliness in the over 55s.

For more information see their newsletter here.

Relate

Relationship (couples) counselling. Also for parents separating/divorcing to help them deal with young children.

Counselling Fees are approx £40 for a couple.

12 Arthur Street. Aldershot, Hampshire GU11 1HL

Tel: 01252 324679

Relateen

Counselling for 11-25 year olds dealing with their parents divorce, separation or conflict. Free service.

12 Arthur Street, Aldershot, Hampshire GU11 1HL

Tel: 01252 324679

Rape & Sexual Abuse Crisis Centre

Run by trained Volunteers. The service is confidential and free.

Open Mondays to Thursdays, from 7pm to 9pm.

Crisis Line: 01256 423890

Office: 01256 423810 (between 9am and 4pm)

Victim Support

Support/advice for victims of crime. Free service.

Free online life skills course. Uses CBT approach to problems such as low mood, anxiety, phobias, poor sleep etc.

website: http://www.victimsupport.org.uk/

Tel: 0207 268 0200

Emotional wellbeing