World Mental Health Day 10th October 2024! The day may have come and gone, but the message is important every day!

Every day is a good day to talk, and World Mental Health Day is a day we put aside all the taboo and stigma that often stops us openly talking about ourselves, and our mental health.
So lets get talking!
You can still access useful info and support through our links.
We'll be keeping our self help guide up, and share fresh ideas, so keep visiting our site!

This years theme was 'It is time to prioritise mental health in the workplace'.
The Official WMHD website shares some statistics:
60% of the global population is in employment.
Employees spend 60% of their time in the workplace.
Only 10-15% of people with serious mental health problems are in employment.

Let's stop and think about these figures...
We spend a considerable amount of our time at work, therefore work needs to be a place that promotes mental well-being!
The workplace also currently excludes a significant number of the population due to mental health problems, but perhaps unwittingly so.
The issue we face with mental health problems and employment is the stigma attached to mental illness. Many people feel they cannot disclose their mental health problems to their employer due to fear of discrimination. This is why World Mental Health Day is so vital in improving the gaps in employment. With more awareness and improved employment laws, people with mental health problems can be supported in the work place. Everyone has the right to a supportive and healthy work environment.

The WMHD official report also highlights the importance employment on mental health; it has a positive impact!
Young people that are unemployed show higher rates of long term mental health, social and physical issues, and alarmingly higher rates of suicidal behaviour and drug and substance abuse.

We cannot ignore the fact that some working patterns appear to be harmful to mental health and well-being. These unhealthy factors include stress from working long hours, not having enough time to see friends and family, not engaging in leisure activities and socialising, feeling burnt-out and overloaded.

Addressing mental health in the workplace is essential for a positive and productive working environment, and employers must be encouraged and given the resources to create this environment.

Challenge your own thoughts!
Start a journal and write down your troubling thoughts and any negative thought process... then challenge them! Write down a list of possible solutions and outcomes. This is really useful if you're an over-thinker (like me!) and you commonly find your mind is flooded with self doubt and self-sabotage. (This is called 'rumination'). Writing it down is a way of voicing your inner thoughts that you might not feel comfortable sharing in person. Try to reason with yourself and really break down those negative thoughts.

Connect!
Whether this be with nature, with a pet, with music, a book or friends. Connect with something that makes you feel a sense of calm.
Even a short walk can really help your mood. Just breathing in fresh air helps to reset and adjust.

Feed your thoughts!

Diet is so important and has a huge effect on your mental well-being.

The top foods that are great for your brain and mood regulation are all the healthy fats found in oily fish, seeds, nuts, avocados and eggs.
Blueberries, oranges, green leafy vegetables and dark chocolate are all really beneficial for supporting mood regulation. Protein rich foods contain amino acids that also help your brain to regulate your mood.

Never underestimate the psychological benefits of eating with others! Sharing meal times with friends and family helps you to relax and have easy flowing conversations, where the focus can be placed on enjoying food rather than feeling its all eyes on you!

If you need further support with your mental health please follow the link below to the charity 'Mind'.