The 15th – 21st of May marks Mental Health Awareness Week 2023. This year’s theme is anxiety.
COSLA’s Children and Young People Spokesperson, Councillor Buchanan, has commented on the vital role of local government in supporting better mental health and wellbeing for all in our communities.
Councillor Buchanan said: “Financial pressures, exams, employment, relationships and other life events can all cause anxiety.
“Whilst this a normal feeling it can sometimes become a mental health issue, significantly impacting people’s lives.
“Local Government remains committed to supporting our communities around the causes of poor mental health and wellbeing, and working with them to design and deliver the mental health and wellbeing support they need.”
Many people recognise the importance of looking after their mental wellbeing. Despite this, many feel uncertain they could help someone experiencing a mental health crisis.
With Mental Health Awareness Week taking place this year from the 15th to the 21st of May, first aid instructors at Onsite First Aid Training have shared the signs to watch out for if you think someone is having a mental health crisis and how best to offer support.
What is a mental health crisis?
A mental health crisis is when a person’s thoughts, feelings or behaviours prevent them from functioning, taking care of themselves, or when they put themselves or others at risk of harm.
It can happen to anyone, and you don’t have to have a pre-existing mental health condition. A mental health crisis can be triggered by negative events or stresses such as bereavement, divorce or losing a job, or it can be the result of a prolonged period of substance abuse.
Signs that someone might be experiencing a mental health crisis
You might notice warning signs in advance, or they could come seemingly out of nowhere. Some common warning signs to watch out for, which could indicate someone is experiencing a mental health crisis include:
Intense or sudden change in mood or behaviour
Experiencing psychosis – including hallucinations or delusions
Feelings of paranoia
Feeling increasingly agitated, angry, or violent
Suicidal ideation or talking of ‘making plans’
Self-harming or wanting to harm themselves or others
Isolating or withdrawing from others
Inability to function or perform daily tasks, including personal hygiene.
Six ways to help someone experiencing a mental health crisis
Assess the risk of harm or suicide
It is vital to first identify if someone in crisis has hurt themselves or is thinking about hurting themselves.
If you can see that someone has seriously injured themselves or they report having taken an overdose, immediately dial 999 and stay with them until paramedics arrive.
If the person has self-harmed, but the bleeding has stopped, it is still important to call 111, as they will be able to assess the severity of the injury over the phone. Do your best to describe the extent of the injury, as this will determine whether the person is likely to need medical attention to prevent infection or to remove sharp objects, such as glass, from their skin.
Ask open-ended questions
When talking to someone in crisis, ask more open-ended questions, as these will encourage a more detailed response. Questions such as “How would you describe what you’re feeling right now?” can make it easier for the other person to convey their thoughts and feelings and can help bring them back down to baseline. A good tip is to try and start each question with either ‘how’, ‘why’, or ‘what’.
Closed-ended questions, on the other hand, typically prompt a ‘yes’ or ‘no’ response and don’t leave as much room for exploration of feelings. These types of questions can still be useful when you need a straightforward answer to a question, such as asking, ‘Have you hurt yourself?’ or ‘Do you feel suicidal?’
Actively listen, and let the other person talk
When talking with someone about their mental health, try to actively listen rather than trying to offer advice and guidance.
This means putting your phone away and engaging in eye contact, using open body language, and listening without judgment or trying to offer a solution, showing you are providing your full attention.
Simply clarifying or repeating what they have said in your own words can go a long way in making someone feel heard, even if you don’t know how to respond to a particular piece of information.
Small verbal and non-verbal affirmations such as “That sounds really difficult” or simply nodding show that you acknowledge what has been said without interrupting the person in crisis.
Have patience
When someone is in crisis, they may find it difficult to think clearly and articulate their thoughts and feelings into words. Try to remain patient and not rush through the conversation; otherwise, they may not feel it is a safe space to talk and could shut off entirely.
Remember, they may have never talked about these feelings with anyone before and might be unfamiliar with how to navigate what they are experiencing. Assure them that they can take their time to fully express how they are feeling.
Accept that someone might not be ready to talk
Remember that not everyone will feel ready to talk to you when in crisis, particularly if you are a total stranger. They may not trust you or may feel uncomfortable talking in the current location.
Unless it is to determine whether someone intends to or has harmed themselves or others, it’s important to respect someone’s wishes not to talk. Simply letting someone know you are there can encourage them to talk when they feel ready.
Encourage professional help
Talking with someone during a mental health crisis could potentially save their life, but it’s important to remember that you are not a substitute for professional help.
Once you have established that the person can keep themselves safe, encourage the individual to seek support from qualified professionals as they will be the best equipped to support their needs.
Usually, this will be their GP, who can guide the person towards mental health resources and medical help through the NHS.
There are also local organisations that can provide support too. These can be found on Hub of Hope, a website that lists local organisations that provide mental health support.
Scots prioritising working, watching TV, socialising and gaming instead
1 in 3 Scots say they are too busy working to look after their own health and mental wellbeing
15% confess they fritter away hours binge-watching soap operas instead of doing things to improve their fitness or manage stress and anxiety levels, while1 in 10 say socialising and watching sport on TV is more important to them than their wellbeing
Most people in Scotland say they struggle to look after their health and wellbeing, with many blaming a lack of time or confusion over what is actually good for them
In light of this, dietitian Jennifer Low and Yakult Plus are educating people on the ‘power of small’ and how quick and easy everyday changes can make a big difference to overall health
Nearly 1 in 3 (30%) people in Scotland say they are too busy working to look after their own health and wellbeing.
Meanwhile, 15% confess they fritter away hours binge-watching soap operas instead of doing things to improve their fitness or manage stress and anxiety levels.
1 in 10 people in Scotland say socialising (11%) and watching sport on TV (11%) is more important to them than looking after their wellbeing, while more than 1 in 20 (6%) people say they are too busy gaming to look after their health.
The new research by Yakult Plus reveals that Scots struggle to look after their health and wellbeing, with many blaming a lack of time or confusion over what is actually good for them.
15% of Scots admit that not having enough time is the top reason for struggling to look after wellbeing, with nearly 1 in 10 (8%) saying they have just five minutes or less a day to spend on looking after diet and nutrition.
Over 1 in 10 people (12%) say that they have less than five minutes a day to commit to mental wellbeing, while almost 1 in 20 (4%) say they have just five minutes a day to spend on exercise.
Other reasons people struggle to look after their wellbeing are confusion around the conflicting information available (14%) or simply not having the willpower (13%).
More than 1 in 20 people (6%) blamed feeling defeated due to positive changes never lasting long, confusion over who or what sources to trust (5%), not knowing where to start (4%), or being confused by health myths online (2%).
On the research, dietitian Jennifer Low commented: “There is so much misinformation about diet and health and the research reveals many people are confused about the best ways to look after their overall health.
“It seems many also feel like they don’t have the time required to look after their wellbeing, as they are prioritising other areas of their lives. Whilst things like watching TV and gaming are forms of self-care and sadly for some, maybe the only form of rest they know, it’s also sad to see that so many people have so little time to spend on things like exercise, healthy eating, and sleep – which can benefit gut health as well as overall health.
“Small changes however, such as a gentle walk or including more fruit and vegetables each day, can have a big impact on your health. There is no need to take part in the latest diet or exercise fad or download the latest app.
“I would encourage people to start small, making one easy change at a time, thinking about what they can add to their life and diet, and build from there.”
Alongside the poll of consumers, the research from Yakult Plus also included a survey of nearly 500 dietitians conducted through the British Dietetic Association (BDA). It echoed the findings of the consumer survey – that 1 in 3 (36%) people say to dietitians that they find it complicated to look after their health, with one of the top reasons being a lack of time (16%).
The survey of dietitians revealed however that 9 in 10 (86%) of the dietitians questioned believe people may actually be overcomplicating looking after their wellbeing.
The research was commissioned by Yakult Plus to mark the launch of Yakult Plus and highlight how quick and easy everyday changes can make a big difference to one’s overall health.
Like all Yakult products, Yakult Plus is bursting with 20 billion friendly bacteria, scientifically proven to reach the gut alive, but in addition, is rich in vitamin C which supports the immune system and helps lower fatigue and also contains fibre that can feed the bacteria in the gut. Quick to enjoy every morning, it fits in easily to your routine.
Curiosity Collective has distributed over 20,000 ‘Wonderbox’ packs to date
Marking the start of Mental Health Awareness Week, Curiosity Collective has announced that its dedicated offline learning and wellbeing resource, the ‘Wonderbox’, has reached a significant new delivery milestone. Over 20,000 free resource packs have been distributed to date and the charity plans to build on this success with a new longer-term offering to be launched later this year.
Curiosity Collective operates with a vision that every child in Scotland should have the opportunity to learn for fun and receive the support they need to positively protect their health and well-being.
Guided by young people, the charity designs and delivers activities to 1) build confidence and knowledge in children and young people 2) enable them to try new things and 3) equip them with the tools and understanding they need to better protect their mental health and wellbeing.
Responding to new needs, the charity refocused its activities through the pandemic; switching away from online models to concentrate on dedicated offline support helping to reach the often under-supported groups of young people who lack regular online access.
Curiosity Collective packs are provided for free and the pack contains everything needed to enjoy the activities – no additional resource is required. Over 95% of survey respondents say that “Wonderbox” helped them to feel less isolated and stressed.
The charity works with partners and stakeholders operating on a national level such as One Parent Families Scotland, Families Outside and the Women’s Aid network to distribute the resource effectively to those most in need of support, including those who are shut out due to poverty and hardship, including urban and rural communities.
Chloe Goodall, Executive Director of Curiosity Collective said:“Our activities and resources have never been needed more. Almost a quarter of children in Scotland are growing up in poverty, a situation made worse by the impact of the pandemic and the bleak reality of the cost-of-living crisis.
“As a result, children and young people are missing out on opportunities to learn and have fun and this can have a detrimental impact on their health and wellbeing.
“We are proud that we are providing support that works. The demand for our offline resources has been even greater than we anticipated. We thank all our generous funders for making this support possible. Feedback we are receiving from young people has been overwhelmingly positive and the demand continues to grow as children and young people are asking for more resources to enjoy at home.
“We are working with our partners and funders to extend this cherished resource into a longer-term offering that will ensure young people receive a continuous support journey with the resource pack.
“We strongly believe that all children have the right to learn, play, have fun and express themselves, and through our programmes and resource packs we can ensure young people have more tools with which to realise those rights. We have ambitious targets and we look forward to making them happen with our committed partners.”
As a registered charity Curiosity Collective relies on the generosity of its funders, such as The Scottish Children’s Lottery, Wheatley Group, ScottishPower and The Robertson Trust, to enable the organisation to deliver its vital activities.
Lorna Wallace, Funding Officer, The Robertson Trust said: “Through our Education Pathways theme at The Robertson Trust, we are interested in funding projects that support educational engagement and attainment, and in particular projects that include engagement with parents and wider family members.
“Education is recognised as one of the best protections against poverty and we know that access to support such out of school activities which stimulate development, encourage independent learning, build confidence and resilience as well as encouraging participation in learning, helps to close the attainment gap.
“We look forward to seeing how Curiosity Collective progresses and learning from its work on the way and congratulate them for reaching their incredible milestone of distributing 20,000 Wonderboxes to date.”
Anxiety is a normal emotion in us all, but sometimes it can get out of control and become a mental health problem.
Lots of things can lead to feelings of anxiety, including exam pressures, relationships, starting a new job (or losing one) or other big life events. We can also get anxious when it comes to things to do with money and not being able to meet our basic needs, like heating our home or buying food. But anxiety can be made easier to manage.
Focusing on anxiety for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week will increase people’s awareness and understanding of anxiety by providing information on the things that can help prevent it from becoming a problem.
At the same time, we will keep up the pressure to demand change – making sure that improving mental health is a key priority for the government and society as a whole.
Mental Health Foundation’s Alexa Knight said: “I was thrilled to join the Mental Health Foundation earlier this year, having worked in health policy all my life. Many of us have struggled with our mental health in recent years, and it feels like there’s never been a more important time to support and protect our mental well-being.
“The Mental Health Foundation’s approach – preventing mental health problems before they happen and supporting everyone to thrive – really resonates with me. And the icing on the cake is being part of Mental Health Awareness Week! I have joined in with Mental Health Awareness Week for many years and am delighted to now be part of making it happen.
“This year for Mental Health Awareness Week we are focusing on anxiety. We all feel anxious from time to time.
“Anxiety is a natural response to the uncertain world around us. For example, in the current cost-of-living crisis, more than a third of adults feel anxious about their financial situation. But it’s important that we recognise and respond when we feel anxious, so that our anxiety doesn’t become overwhelming.”
Celebrities and medical experts including comedian Tom Davis, Dr Ranj Singh and Dr Linda Papadopoulos support new UK government campaign to boost mental health
Ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week (15 – 22 May), Better Health – Every Mind Matters from the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities is launching a new campaign backed by BAFTA award-winning comedian, Tom Davis, TV and NHS doctor, Dr Ranj Singh, and leading psychologist, Dr Linda Papadopoulos, to encourage the nation to make the first move for their mental health and get active.
New research released today has revealed that three quarters (75%) of adults surveyed report feeling anxious, but less than half (45%) are aware that physical activity is proven to reduce symptoms of anxiety.
The campaign is the latest action taken by government to improve people’s mental health. The government is already increasing investment in mental health services by at least £2.3 billion a year by March 2024 so that an additional two million people can get the support they need.
Last year, the draft Mental Health Bill was published, intended to modernise the Mental Health Act so that it’s fit for the 21st century and better supports people with serious mental illness, and the government has committed to publishing a Major Conditions Strategy to tackle conditions that contribute most to morbidity and mortality across the population in England, including mental ill health.
For Mental Health Awareness Week, BAFTA award-winning comedian and actor, Tom Davis, has opened up about his own mental health alongside NHS and TV doctor, Dr Ranj Singh, in support of the Better Health – Every Mind Matters campaign. In a new film released today, the pair discuss how they deal with anxious thoughts and call on the nation to make the first move for their mental health by getting active.
https://youtu.be/yV-ZUPgt9Kc
Comedian and Actor, Tom Davis, comments: “Anxiety is no laughing matter. I’ve had a colourful career, from working on building sites, to the shop floor, to being a comedian in front of thousands, and I’ve struggled with anxiety in every role.
“There’s a big difference, though, to being outside your comfort zone versus feeling overwhelmed by it and letting your anxious thoughts hold you back. And being active for just a few minutes each day can make a huge difference.
“It’s important to find something that you enjoy and do it regularly. I love boxing and try to go often, but even taking my daughter to the park can really clear my head and help to keep those anxious jitters at bay.
NHS and TV doctor, Dr Ranj Singh, has also shared his tips on how to ease anxiety (see NTEs) and advice on how the public can start getting active for their mental health: “Anxiety is part of everyday life, and it can help us focus or take extra care when needed, but when it gets too much, it can have a really big impact on how we want to live our lives.
“Physical activity is one of the simplest, but most effective, things we can do to help alleviate anxious feelings, calm racing thoughts, and give us something to distract from negative thinking.
“Regular physical activity is best, but even a few minutes each day can help. I personally love dancing because some good music instantly lifts my mood!”
New research among 2,000 adults in England has revealed around four in 10 report having trouble sleeping (38%), feeling less confident (37%) and having less energy due to anxiety (35%).
For just under a quarter (24%), anxiety has stopped them from attending social events and almost one in 10 admit it’s even impacted their relationship, as they spend less time with their partner (8%).
Physical activity releases feel good hormones and improves mental health but, according to the new research, less than half of adults are aware that it’s proven to reduce symptoms of anxiety (45%), reduce stress (45%) and distract from negative thoughts (42%). Four in 10 adults are not doing the NHS recommended 150 minutes of physical activity per week.
The research revealed that over a third (35%) of adults tend to use distraction techniques to relieve feelings of anxiety, including watching TV (47%), browsing the internet (36%) or even isolating themselves from others (33%). However, those who do regular physical activity report that it helps to boost their mood (68%), confidence (61%) and relieve anxious feelings (61%).
With almost one in five not doing any form of physical activity (19%), the research also revealed that not feeling motivated (41%), not enjoying physical activity (25%), and not having enough free time (19%) were the top barriers to getting active. Only 13% of us are aware of the NHS recommended 150 minutes of physical activity per week.
Leading psychologist, Dr Linda Papadopoulos commented: “People are often surprised to know the benefits that just a few minutes of movement can have on our mind; you don’t need to do a full body workout to reap the rewards.
“Being active increases feel good hormones, like endorphins, and can boost confidence. I always recommend getting outside for a brisk walk or gentle jog because being in nature can help us feel happier and more relaxed. And the best bit is it’s free!
Minister for Mental Health, Maria Caulfield, said: “We know poor mental health can significantly impact our quality of life, so I’m pleased to see this campaign highlighting the simple steps we can all take to reduce its impact – such as spotting and addressing the signs of anxiety early on.
“But we know sometimes more support is needed, and that’s why we’re currently investing £2.3 billion every year to expand and transform mental health services in England so that two million more people will be able to get the mental health support they need.”
Delivered by the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities, the Better Health–Every Mind Matters campaign offers NHS-approved tips and advice to help people manage their anxiety, including links to free NHS apps, such as Couch to 5K and Active 10, that will help them make the first move.
The Better Health – Every Mind Matters website also gives people the opportunity to sign up to anxiety-easing emails, offering expert advice to help them stay on top of their mental wellbeing and show them how to make these new steps part of their routine.
Social media:
#everymindmatters
#moveforyourmentalhealth
#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
#MHAW / @NHS
Scots looking after their mental health can also find support at NHS inform’s Mind to Mind | NHS inform
