Grounding techniques can help us when we’re feeling out of touch with our body and surroundings. They can help us reconnect to the present moment.
This might be because we’re experiencing difficult emotions, like fear, anxiety or anger. You can also use grounding techniques if you’re experiencing a panic attack.
This technique uses all 5 senses, and can be used any time.
It’s important to be aware of how alcohol affects your mental health, particularly if you have a mental health problem. 
People drink for many reasons – from celebrating to commiserating, relaxing, to feeling more confident.
And while the short-term effects might deliver – this quickly wears off.
The chemical changes in your brain caused by alcohol can soon lead to negative feelings, including depression, anxiety and anger. 
And for those already struggling with depression, it can make those symptoms worse.
Find out more about alcohol and mental health: https://bit.ly/46J2mtf
Panic attacks can be frightening. But there are things you can do during a panic attack that help, like breathing and grounding techniques.
A panic attack can be caused by a traumatic or very stressful life experience.
If you’re having lots of panic attacks, you might be diagnosed with a panic disorder – and there’s help available for this.
Read our guide on panic attacks: https://bit.ly/3YNWmfG
Loneliness, especially long-term loneliness, increases the risk of mental health challenges like anxiety, depression and stress.
On the flip side, regular social interactions can help us feel less isolated and protect our mental health.
Loneliness can affect anyone. Here are some ways that can help you cope. 
Visit our website for more tips: https://bit.ly/4kcDalm
We get so much from our communities: connection, a sense of belonging and purpose, and protection from mental health problems.
One of the ways to get involved with our community, and boost our mental health, is by giving back.
Taking part in community activities, like volunteering, boosts our self-esteem, confidence and overall wellbeing.
Find out more about ways to get involved in your community: https://bit.ly/4kcDalm
This Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re calling on the UK government for urgent reform to protect young people’s mental health. 
Today, we’re heading to parliament to raise awareness of the benefits of positive communities – both online and offline – for our mental health.
We’ll also be shining a light on the dangers of digital spaces, and what we must do make online communities safer – particularly for young people.
While there are many supportive and uplifting online communities, there are also harmful ones that promote hatred, self-harm, and dangerous misinformation.
The mental health impacts of these negative environments can be catastrophic. So it’s essential that the government takes action to make these spaces safer, while we also learn about how we can embrace the good, and avoid the bad.
Find out more: https://bit.ly/4da0Ggs
It’s Maternal Mental Health Week, a time to raise awareness of the importance of mental health during and after pregnancy.
We know that around 1 in 5 women experience mental health problems during pregnancy or within the first year after giving birth, yet nearly half of these cases go undiagnosed or untreated.
These figures highlight the need for greater awareness and access to support for all mothers.
The theme this year is ‘Your voice, your strength’. It’s a reminder of the importance of listening to, and learning from, the experiences of mothers.
Through our programmes, we work with mothers to create safe, inclusive spaces where they can talk openly about what they’re going through and access the support they need.
We’re working to make sure every mother has the opportunity to thrive during this important time in their lives.
MENTAL HEALTH FOUNDATION
Come rain or sunshine, the spring brings lots of wonderful opportunities to enjoy nature – and boost your mental health while doing so. 
1/ Go for a spring walk and tap into your senses – what do you see, hear, smell, and touch?
2/ Tend to your garden or houseplants, are you seeing any start to blossom?
3/ Get in touch with your creative side and draw, paint or collage spring’s nature.
4/ Animal lover? Walk in the countryside or visit a city farm and spot the new arrivals!
5/ Feeling adventurous? Go on a spring scavenger hunt and discover nature (find resources at Woodland Trust).
What are spring activities you enjoy, that bring you closer to nature?
Do you know the incredible ways that movement can help with stress?
Movement has physical and psychological effects on our bodies that relieve present pressure and helps prevent stress.
But, it’s often when we’re most stressed that motivation to find time for physical activity suffers. We may not think we have time, or we may feel too exhausted to plan any physical activity.
But, the stress-relieving effects of movement are so great, that even small moments of movement can have an effect. Going on a walk, doing housework or gardening all count. If you’re struggling to find the time and motivation look for these everyday tasks or find small moments in your day. A five-minute stretching session could boost your mood and improve your focus and motivation.
Why not set aside a few minutes today for an activity you enjoy? See if you can find time for it over the coming days and weeks if stress starts to set in.
