Tag: Mental Health Awareness Week 2024

NHSGGC marks Mental Health Awareness Week with relaunch of MyApp: My Mental Health

NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde is marking Mental Health Awareness Week by encouraging people to download its supported self-management resources.

My App: My Mental Health was created by NHSGGC to offer resources which support people to manage their mental health and wellbeing. 

It is contained within the NHS Scotland Health Improvement Scotland Right Decisions: Health and Care app, which can be downloaded for free through the App Store on Apple and Android devices, or accessed via the website: 

https://rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk/myapp-my-mental-health/

It provides self-management resources, information and advice on mental health concerns such as stress, anxiety, depression, sleep problems, eating disorders and self-harm, and highlights organisations offering further support.

There are also sections specifically developed for children and young people, and for carers. 

NHSGGC is encouraging people to get the app as it uses Mental Health Awareness Week to highlight the resources available. 

One in six adults in the UK has a mental health condition, with mixed anxiety and depression being the most common. 

The app includes a library of information on mental health symptoms, and allows people to develop coping strategies and ways to manage their conditions. 
Consultant Psychiatrist Nagore Penades, clinical lead for mental health at the NHSGGC-hosted West of Scotland Innovation Hub, encouraged people to download the app. She said: “Mental health and wellbeing are important to all of us, much as our physical health and we know that they can change quickly throughout our lives.

“We would like people to be more knowledgeable and support them in understanding their mental health by offering direct access to reliable self-management resources.

“Having this app on your phone means you have a vital resource available whenever you or someone you know might need it. 

“We also know that many people turn to online resources to help with their mental health and wellbeing, but finding reliable, trustworthy up to date advice can be difficult online. 

“This app provides a way for people who are experiencing difficulties to take a first step in dealing with them. 

“All the resources available through the app have been reviewed by a multidisciplinary group of senior mental health practitioners in NHSGGC, so users can be assured that the advice being offered is evidence-based and appropriate.

“And, as we mark Mental Health Awareness Week, we would encourage everyone to download and take a look at the app to see how it could help them.”

To access the app, follow these steps: 

= Download the Right Decisions: Health & Care app
= Select Public/Patient optionSelect My App: My Mental Health and add it to your toolkits 
= You can now access the resources directly under My Toolkits 

The resources can also be accessed here: https://rightdecisions.scot.nhs.uk/myapp-my-mental-health/

Support for football-focused mental wellbeing programme

Health Secretary announces additional £100,000 for the initiative

A programme which uses football to promote mental health and wellbeing has received additional funding from Scottish Government. The Changing Room – Extra Time initiative has been awarded £100,000 for a fourth year.

It builds on The Changing Room – a 12-week programme which takes place at football stadiums across Scotland and supports men to open up as they participate in walking football games, stadium tours, pitch-side walks and talks from a motivational speaker.

Extra Time aims to give people the chance to speak in more depth about their mental wellbeing and explore areas which are giving them particular challenges or concerns.

The programme is delivered by SAMH (Scottish Action for Mental Health) in partnership with the SPFL Trust and associated community trusts at Aberdeen (AFC Community Trust), Rangers (Rangers Charity Foundation), Heart of Midlothian (Big Hearts) and Hibernian (Hibernian Community Foundation) football clubs.

Health Secretary Neil Gray, who visited the initiative at Pittodrie, home of Aberdeen FC as part of Mental Health Awareness Week, said: “We know that it’s never been more important to look after our physical and mental wellbeing. It is pleasing to see this initiative go into its fourth year and to hear that is really is making a difference to people’s lives.

“We shouldn’t be afraid to talk about how we are feeling and this project has really helped people open up about their mental health.”

Billy Watson, Chief Executive at SAMH said: “The Changing Room – Extra Time project changes lives. It builds confidence, helps get relationships on the right track and it has even saved lives.

“Football and mental health are a great match. What this project shows is that football fans are not just comfortable talking about their mental health, they’re really keen to do so – as long as it’s in the right place.

“The Changing Room – Extra Time is the right place and we’re really grateful that the Scottish Government has agreed to continue to fund it.”

Kyle Hewitt, 37, from Dyce attended Changing Room Extra Time at Aberdeen FC and said: “I grew up aware of mental health and its potential impacts on people and those around them because of my own experience.

“But sometimes I didn’t feel like I had the ability to face the world. I had low moments as a parent and a husband, I wasn’t always nice to be around and I could be hyper-critical of myself.

“Then I embarked on a journey through Extra Time with like-minded men and amazing facilitators from SAMH. I realised I had been deflecting, avoiding and bottling things up. I was able to give myself credit for what I was doing.

“I also became more resilient and better at creating positive habits and finding ways to change my outlook and mind-set. I have thrived as a result.”

Aberdeen Community Trust Chief Executive, Liz Bowie said: “We are delighted to deliver the Changing Room Extra Time programme at Aberdeen FC Community Trust, working in partnership with SAMH and the SPFL Trust. 

“We have learned so much through the support of SAMH, which has ensured that our staff are appropriately trained and mentored to provide excellent support to the men who participate in this initiative. 

“We have seen amazing results and crucially have watched strong, supportive networks build amongst the participants which extend well beyond the term of the course itself. Football is a force for good and is so powerful in encouraging men to talk and open up to each other in support of their mental wellbeing.”

Mental Health ranked top gym motivator for younger generations

Survey from The Gym Group identifies supporting mental health as one of top reasons for gym visits for young people

In a recent survey* from nationwide gym chain The Gym Group, young people (aged 16-34 years) said their mental health is an important motivation for going to the gym.

When asked for their top three reasons for going to the gym, those in the 25 – 34 age group were most likely to put mental health as being their number one motivation, with those aged 16-24 most likely to put it as one of their top three.

This year the theme for Mental Health Awareness Week (13th – 19th May) is “Movement: Moving more for our mental health”. 

The Gym Group has 236 gyms around the country and is offering free day passes throughout the week, inviting more people to visit their local gym to experience the mental health benefits of exercise.

The Gym Group is also supporting Better Health-Every Mind Matters for Mental Health Awareness Week to help more people make healthy changes with exercise.

Every Mind Matters is a campaign and digital resource, delivered by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) which aims to equip people to protect and improve their mental wellbeing.

Their resources provide a range of simple, NHS-approved self-care tips and tools that help people make self-care a priority within their daily life. 

Better Health programmes focus on driving long-lasting behaviour change, and The Gym Group has always been committed to helping people to build lasting habits of regular gym visits.

In 2023, average member visits per month increased by 10% compared to 2022, showing that more people choose to prioritise their gym routines. 1 in 4 adults experience at least one diagnosable mental health concern every year. 

Whilst regular exercise and movement can support with more positive mental wellbeing, it is reported that 4 out of 10adults are not currently meeting NHS recommended physical activity guidelines.  

Health Minister, Maria Caulfield said: “Exercise is incredibly important to help maintain good mental health.

“Our Every Mind Matters tool offers fantastic self-help advice including exercise tips, and tailored Minds Plans that build resilience and help people cope with life’s challenges. I encourage everyone to use it, whether it be to boost your mood, improve your sleep or deal more easily with mild stress or anxiety.”

Martin Scholes, Head of Operations, The Gym Group said: “It is our founding mission to break down barriers to fitness so that more people can reap the mental and physical benefits of regular exercise.

“We know that a lot of our members rely on our gyms to support and protect their mental wellbeing and it’s great to support campaigns like Every Mind Matters to inspire even more people to do the same.’

Scotland – Visit Mind to Mind

Useful Every Mind Matters links

Website  - https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters   

Every Mind Matters Mind Plan   

https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/mental-wellbeing-tips/your-mind-plan-quiz