Mental health
Mental health refers to a person’s emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. Good mental health allows people to cope with stress, make positive life choices and maintain fulfilling relationships. Mental health is crucial for overall wellbeing and can impact on how people face challenges, interact with others, and manage their day to day lives.
Examples of common mental health conditions
Depression
Depression is a mental health problem in which people have a low mood or lose interest in things. It can cause changes in how people feel or behave.
People experiencing milder depression might have low mood but still be able to carry on with daily life. But things may feel harder and less worthwhile.
People with severe depression, find day-to-day life more difficult.
Anxiety
Anxiety is what people feel when they are worried, tense, or afraid.
Most people feel anxious at times. It’s particularly common to experience some anxiety while coping with stressful events.
Some anxiety disorders are diagnosed. For example, Generalised anxiety disorder is regular or uncontrollable worries about many different things in everyday life.
Social anxiety disorder is experience of extreme fear or anxiety triggered by social situations (such as parties, workplaces).
Stress
Stress is how people react when they feel under pressure or threatened. It usually happens in a situation that which feels unmanageable.
Stressful situations which may impact on mental health include bereavement, debt, discrimination, the impact of events, like flooding or the coronavirus pandemic.
Struggling with your mental health?
If you feel your mental health is suffering and you are struggling to deal with everyday situations it may be worth talking to your GP, family or friends. There are also a variety of mental health services who can help.
Get urgent advice and support
If you are struggling to cope with your thoughts and feelings, experiencing suicidal thoughts or feel you cannot keep yourself safe please reach out for help.
Samaritans
Samaritans are available 24 hours a day to provide confidential emotional support for people who are experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide. You can call Samaritans any time day or night for free on 116 123 or go to their website where you can access live online chat.
NHS mental health central access point
You can call the NHS mental health central access point on 0808 800 3302. This number is open 24 hours a day and is totally free and confidential.
Make a mental health safety plan
If you are experiencing suicidal thoughts or ideation, you may find it helpful to make a safety plan. You can complete this with your family and friends or by yourself. You can share this with your support network or draw on this if you feel you cannot cope.