Being Mentally Well - Self-Help

Writing an action plan can improve your well-being. Your GP/nurse may highlight some things they think could be included. However it is your wellbeing plan and you are in control. Start today at the bottom of the page and continue overleaf. Look at it regularly to help you to stay on track.

Five Ways to Wellbeing provide some examples that you may like to put into your wellbeing plan, see http://www.actionforhappiness.org/10-keys-to-happier-living for more ideas.

Give

Not just about money! Visit the volunteer centre – get involved and make a contribution or perhaps
practice weekly acts of kindness http://www.voluntaryimpact.org.uk/volunteering/

Relate and Connect with others

  • Talking and sharing your feelings with someone you trust often helps. MIND community navigators
    have details of local counsellors or ask your Nurse or GP for psychological therapy referral
  • Plan to meet up with friends or family
  • If communication is hard, try a letter as a way of preparing what to say to someone.

Exercise and care for your body

Awareness

Try something new – Learn or be creative

  • Adult education - Learn2b have a range of free wellbeing courses telephone 01604 368023 or email: Learn2b@northamptonshire.gov.uk
  • Read yourself well – self-help books/audio books are available from local libraries
  • Access computerised cognitive behaviour therapy (e.g. http://www.livinglifetothefull.com)
  • Plan to do things today that help you feel/remain well
  • Keep a diary - what are you learning, what is helping you feel better?
  • Turn worries into challenges and try to set goals to solve them

Well-being plan: Aim for three changes you can make that will help you to feel better and help you stay well. http://www.firstforwellbeing.co.uk Tel: 0300 1265000 for more information

 

What am I going to do?

How will this help me?

When will I do this by?

1

     

Plan for when things are not going so well: Identify your red flags (early warning signs) if you are starting to spiral downwards (such as your thoughts, feelings, reactions) and develop an action plan of what to do when things get tough.

If I really can't cope I will: Think about who you can call for support and what distractions and calming activities will help you to get through the day or through the next few hours.

Talk to: NHS 111 , Samaritans 116123

Watch http://www.connectingwithpeople.org/stayingsafe

CAMHS Live provides a safe and fully confidential live online chat service for young people aged 13-18 year olds or their parent/carer to seek guidance and further information with regards to any emotional wellbeing or mental health issue that the young person may have. CAMHS Live is accessible via a link on Northamptonshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust website. From here a ‘live’ and private online conversation can take place with a fully trained CAMHS mental health worker – www.nhft.nhs.uk/CAMHSLive

Useful Contacts

Adult Social Care – 03001261000

Mind – 01604 634310

Age UK - 01604 611200

Community Navigators - 01536 523216 or 01933 223591

Northamptonshire Carers - 01933 677907

GP out of hours – 111

Total Voice – Advocacy - 0300 330 5499

Women’s Aid - 0845 1232311

Relate Relationship Counsellors - 01604 634 400

Citizens Advice Bureau - 0344 111 444

Substance to Solutions (S2S) - 01604 211304

National Debt line - 0808 808 4000

Samaritans - 116 123

CRUSE (Bereavement Counselling) - 07772 428532

Lots of resources including Learn 2 B and read yourself well

http://www.nhs.uk/pages/home.aspx

 http://www.bemindful.co.uk

Mindfulness information

 http://www.moodgym.anu.edu.au/welcome

CBT online

http://palousemindfulness.com/

On line mindfulness course

http://www.healthtalkonline.org/

www.nopanic.org.uk

Panic information including peer telephone support

http://www.ntw.nhs.uk/pic/

Self-help library of self-help leaflets

http://www.mhnorthants.org.uk/

Mental health charities working together across Northants - directory

 * By kind permission of Dr David Smart - GP Leicester Terrace Medical Centre Northampton

Laura