Find comfort in nature

Tackling anxiety and isolation at home with Butterfly Conservation

As we’re all being encouraged to spend more time in our homes and feeling the worry and anxiety of 24/7 news coverage of the global pandemic, Butterfly Conservation is suggesting a way to look after your mental health by spending time in your garden or outdoor spaces.

For those who are able to get outside, and who now perhaps have more opportunity to do so than normal, gardens across the UK are waking up to spring and there are plenty of species of butterfly to look out for.

Richard Fox, Associate Director (Recording & Research) at Butterfly Conservation suggests a few top butterfly species to spot: “There are a surprising number of species of butterfly which are coming out of hibernation ready for spring. In just the last few days we have had recorded sightings of Brimstone, Peacock, Small Tortoiseshell and Red Admiral all getting active as the weather is warming.

“The three common White butterflies (Large, Small and Green-veined) have also all been sighted already this year in the UK and before long it will be possible to see Orange Tips and Speckled Wood, both of which are early flying butterflies. We’ve not had any recorded sightings yet, but we’d love to receive one!

“The Holly Blue is the only blue butterfly that people are likely to see in their gardens in suburban or urban areas, which should be flying before too long. There are moths flying at night too, though they are a little harder to see in large numbers before the weather starts really warming up.”

Butterfly Conservation Chief Executive Julie Williams said: “While it’s crucial that we all stay safe and take steps to keep ourselves and others physically well at the moment, it’s also important that we take care of our mental health too.

“Anxiety, isolation and feeling stuck at home can have detrimental effects for our mental health and we’re encouraging anyone who can access an outdoor space to take a break in nature, while respecting the guidance on social distancing.

“There’s so much life waking up for Spring in our gardens and outdoor spaces and many of us might have a bit more opportunity to explore them than usual. It’s a proven fact that spending time in nature can have beneficial effects on your mental health.

“Take some mindful time to watch for our first Spring butterflies, record what you see and share it online. You could also plant some wildflower seeds now, ready for our summer pollinators.”

Stephen Buckley, Head of Information at Mind, the mental health charity, said: “We know being told to stay indoors and avoid others can be a very daunting prospect. There are a variety of things you can do to maintain wellbeing in these circumstances, one of which is engaging with nature and green space.

“For many of us, we don’t have access to our own green space in the form of a garden, so in this time of social distancing, we welcome Butterfly Conservation’s suggestion of taking time to watch for the first Spring butterflies. Even something as simple as going to a local public park or sitting by a window to watch butterflies can be beneficial to our mental health.”

If you’d like to take a break in nature, you can identify the butterflies in your garden on the Butterfly Conservation website.

We’d also love you to share your sightings on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook. You can also contribute your sightings online to the Garden Butterfly Survey scheme which is run by the Butterfly Conservation.

BPS offers advice to schools, parents and carers to help children through the uncertainty of school closures

The British Psychological Society’s Division of Educational and Child Psychology (DECP) has published tips for schools, parents and carers dealing with the unprecedented school closures.

This follows the announcement that schools in the UK will close for all bar a small number of children from Friday 20 March.

Being out of school for what is an open-ended period, with restricted access to their usual social spaces, is likely to be difficult for many young people.

But schools, parents and carers can take steps now to manage this difficult period, look out for signs of stress in young people, and meet their needs over the coming months.

Tips for schools:

Make plans to keep in contact with some children. Some children need a consistent relationship with an adult in school, and will benefit from consistency, reassurance and connection of key adults at school keeping them in mind.
Make time to talk during this week’s timetable. Create the opportunity for children to talk about their thoughts and feelings ahead of the final day of school, which can help to normalise feelings of worry and concern.
Schools should be mindful that providing a full timetable for parents and carers to administer at home won’t be possible, and could cause heightened stress and conflict in homes.
Online learning is not a suitable approach for the youngest children. Schools should consider how to share expertise on play-based learning with parents and carers.
Psychological wellbeing is paramount during this period, due to the general situation and possibility of a family member or friend being ill. This may mean that focusing on wellbeing and mental health is vital.
Some will choose not to send their children to school for the rest of this week due to concerns and anxieties about the current situation. Schools should consider how to maintain strong relationships with these parents and carers.
Schools should support parents and carers to address their children’s concerns and signpost them to the DECP’s advice on talking to children about coronavirus.

Tips for parents and carers:

Stress and anxiety in such an unusual and unpredictable situation is normal.
Children can sometimes believe that they are responsible for events that are beyond their control – reassure them that it is the adults’ job to keep them safe.
Friendships are key to maintaining resilience for children, so help them to maintain these relationships through phone calls, online communication, and writing letters.
Normalise the experience for young people by reassuring them that there are lots of other people in the same situation right now.
Having a routine and structure helps children to feel secure in uncertain times, and involving them in creating this structure, perhaps visually, can be particularly helpful.
Don’t put too much pressure on doing academic work. Parents and carers aren’t teachers, and it is important to also spend time building relationships, enjoying shared activities and reassuring children.
Restrict access to rolling news coverage. While it’s important to keep up to date, constant exposure to news can be overwhelming for both adults and children.
Young people may be concerned about the announcement that exams will not go ahead as planned. Acknowledge the uncertainty, but reassure them that a plan is being put together to make sure that everyone gets the qualification that they have worked towards.
Play is fundamental to the wellbeing and development of children of all ages, and a great way to reduce stress in adults.

You can access the full list of tips for schools, parents and carers, alongside the DECP’s position on the government announcement, on the BPS website.

People Experiencing Mental Health Conditions In Scotland Still Face Stigma And Discrimination

More than half of Scots (56 per cent) who have struggled with their mental health have been stigmatised or discriminated against because of it.

The new study, released today, found that people in Scotland are most likely to experience stigma and discrimination from those closest to them, from friends, family and work colleagues.

However there are signs of improvements, with 79 per cent of respondents saying they think public perceptions of mental health problems have improved over the past ten years.

The poll of over 2000 people, carried out by Censuswide, is part of the most extensive research into mental health stigma in Scotland for over five years.

We’ve been joined by TV presenter Gail Porter, who recently released a documentary about her mental health journey, to call for people across Scotland to be confident in recognising stigma and discrimination and knowing how to take action when they see it.

With one in three people in Scotland experiencing mental health problems, and more than half of those facing stigma and discrimination, that’s nearly a million people in Scotland who could be treated unfairly when they’re struggling.

The research also highlighted the difficulty people experience in getting help, with GP practices being the most common place that people say they face stigma and discrimination.

37 per cent of those surveyed, who hadn’t experienced mental health problems themselves, also said they had witnessed stigma and discrimination happening.

The poll also found that 27 per cent of respondents would not want a person who has a mental health problem to take care of their child and one in ten (11 per cent) would not be willing to have a relationship with someone with a mental health problem.

However 85 per cent believe it is possible to have a mental health problem and live a meaningful life.

Gail Porter said: “While I was enjoying a successful career on television, I was experiencing serious mental health illness, but at the time there was still a real stigma around the subject so I had to smile and carry on as normal. Hiding it like this just made things worse.

“In those days, the media often labelled people ‘mad’ or similar derogatory terms, there was a stigma and discrimination around mental health that could quickly destroy your career.

“These days, It’s great that mental health is something that is talked about more openly and positively and the stigma has been reduced significantly but I think there’s a long way to go.”

The Mental Health Minister, Clare Haughey, said: “It is encouraging that 79% of people who were surveyed think that public perceptions of mental health problems have improved in the last 10 years – and that over half of respondents would feel confident to challenge mental health stigma and discrimination, especially when they have been the recipient of such stigma themselves.

“Whilst we can’t establish direct cause and effect in relation to such improvements, I am confident that See Me’s work has played a significant part in these positive changes in public perception, along with complementary awareness-raising action by other partners such as Breathing Space, NHS Health Scotland, and the Scottish Recovery Network.

“See Me’s survey also shows some negative findings about fears around mental ill-health. These findings are sobering and they reaffirm that, despite strong progress in improving public perceptions of mental health problems, there is still much to be done to tackle associated stigma and inequality.

“We will continue to work with See Me and other partners to build on the positive achievements so far, and See Me will use the findings of this survey to help inform the continuing development of their work in this area.”

Today along with the new study we releasing a new digital resource, the Journey of a Social Movement, which is designed to help people to see how they can tackle stigma and discrimination, by showing some of what See Me, our volunteers and partners have been doing over the last five years.

The most recent evaluation of our programme, carried out by the Mental Health Foundation Scotland, has also been published, demonstrating the impact from See Me over the last three years.

Wendy Halliday, See Me interim director, said: “Our research shows that 55% of people feel confident to challenge stigma and discrimination, but we need that number to be much higher, so no one is treated unfairly when they’re struggling.

“We need you to make a difference today. Knowing what to say and do isn’t easy, so we’ve released a brand new resource, the Journey of a Social Movement, where you can see how people like you have been challenging stigma and discrimination in their communities, with their friends and family, in their workplaces, at school and in health care.

“Start your journey today by visiting https://report.seemescotland.org.”

#itstartswithyou

Children’s mental health services ‘creaking at the seams’

The NHS in Scotland failed to meet a maximum 18-week waiting time target for children and young people to receive treatment from mental health services
More than a third are waiting more than 18 weeks for treatment.
11 out of 14 health boards, including NHS Lothian, failed to meet the 18-week waiting time target.
272 children and young people waited more than a year prior to being seen
Coalition calls for fundamental rethink and renewed focus on prevention and early intervention, including embedding mental health within education.

Latest waiting time figures have reinforced the call by a coalition of leading independent and third sector children and young people’s service providers for dramatically increased investment in mental health services in the budget to address the current mental health crisis.

It has also called for an urgent need for transformational change in services, focusing on prevention and early intervention in order to tackle what is one of the greatest public health challenges of our time.

The call from the Scottish Children’s Services Coalition (SCSC), which campaigns to improve services for vulnerable children and young people, comes as the latest waiting time figures from the Information Services Division, part of NHS National Services Scotland, highlight that thousands of children and young people are failing to treated within a Scottish Government waiting time target.

With an increasing number of children and young people being identified with mental health problems they also highlight a postcode lottery for mental health treatment across the country.

Covering the quarter October to December 2019, the figures highlight that 3,884 children and young people started treatment at specialist child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) in this period.

The NHS in Scotland, including 11 of the 14 regional health boards, failed to meet the Scottish Government 18-week waiting time target for children and young people to receive treatment from CAMHS. This target should be delivered for at least 90 per cent of patients.

While 66.4 per cent in the NHS in Scotland are being seen within this 18-week waiting time, still in itself far too long, more than a third (33.6 per cent) are failing to be seen within this period.

Individual health boards failing to meet this target are: NHS Fife (66.1 per cent), NHS Ayrshire & Arran (89.9 per cent), NHS Grampian (80.1 per cent), NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde (68.9 per cent), NHS Highland (75.2 per cent), NHS Lanarkshire (57.8 per cent), NHS Lothian (48.4 per cent), NHS Tayside (57.4 per cent), NHS Dumfries & Galloway (88.6 per cent), NHS Shetland and NHS Forth Valley (57.7 per cent).

The figures also indicate that 272 children and young people in the October to December quarter had been waiting for more than a year prior to being seen for treatment, an increase from 204 in the previous quarter and a considerable increase from the same quarter of last year (108).

Mental health services are creaking at the seams due to greatly increasing demand, as evidenced by these waiting time figures. Research indicates that 10 per cent of children and young people (aged five to 16) has a clinically diagnosable mental health problem (around three in every classroom), with 50 per cent of mental health problems established by the age of 14 and 75 per cent by the age of 24.

While acknowledging the great efforts the Scottish Government is making, such as an additional £250 million of funding announced in the Programme for Government of 2018, the SCSC has called for the Scottish Government to greatly increased investment in CAMHS and for a more consistent approach to delivering these services across Scotland. ³

It has also called for a renewed focus on prevention and early intervention for those with mental health problem, reducing the need for referral to under-pressure specialist CAMHS.

This includes embedding mental health within education from an early age in order to strengthen knowledge and awareness of mental health, as well as reducing the stigma associated with mental health.

SCSC says emotion and resilience classes should be provided to all students from primary one to teach students how to work through their emotions in a healthy way and there should be a whole-school approach, with training for all staff involved in education and providing counselling support.

A spokesperson for the SCSC said: “These latest waiting time figures highlight that we desperately need increased investment in the forthcoming budget to address this situation. The simple fact is that we are continuing to fail thousands of children and young people with mental health problems, and more clearly needs to be done to address this epidemic.

“These newly released figures highlight that the NHS in Scotland, including eleven of our health boards, are failing to meet what is already a lengthy waiting time. Yet we know that three children in every classroom has a clinically diagnosable mental health problem.

“There must be a radical transformation of our mental health services, with a focus on preventing such problems arising in the first place and intervening early, especially when we know that half of all mental health problems begin before the age of 14. This includes embedding mental health within education from an early age as well as providing training for all staff involved in education.

“With mental health and the issues associated with it representing one of the greatest public health challenges of our time, we must ensure that children and young people are able to get the care and support they need, when they need it. This includes investing in greater community support and support at school, reducing the need for referral to specialist CAMHS.”

One in three young people in the Lothians are waiting over a year for mental health support.

Miles Briggs, Scottish Conservative Lothian MSP, said: “It is deeply concerning that we are now in a situation where over a third of young people referred for mental health support in NHS Lothian are having to wait over a year.

“SNP Ministers have allowed us to reach crisis point by not properly managing NHS Lothian’s workforce and must take responsibility for neglecting to take action over the mental health crisis amongst young people.

“These figures show just how urgently we need an additional 40 whole time equivalent mental health professionals in NHS Lothian.”

Five suicidal children A DAY helped by Childline in Scotland

NSPCC launches Kids In Real Life (#KIDS_IRL) to save young lives, in real life
Hard-hitting campaign backed by Childline founder Esther Rantzen

The NSPCC has revealed that on average five children a day in Scotland are receiving help from its Childline service as they struggle with suicidal thoughts and feelings.

In 2018/19 Childline delivered 1,781 counselling sessions to young people in Scotland, who were plagued by a sense of despair – a 90% increase from three years ago.

The total number of counselling sessions in the UK for this concern was 24,447 in 2018/19 – with most of those reaching out being teenagers, but there has also been a sharp rise in under 11s receiving help (87% since 2015/16).

Young people contacting Childline with suicidal thoughts and feelings cited specific concerns about mental health, self-harm, family relationships and problems at school and college. Girls were more likely to talk about these feelings, with five times as many receiving counselling sessions than boys.

In response, the NSPCC is today launching a nationwide campaign – KIDS In Real Life – urging the public to help them save a child’s life, in real life.

#KIDS_IRL is highlighting that with so much of childhood today happening online, there are more ways than ever for children to hide how they really feel.

But behind the filters, feed and emojis, many of them are suffering. Some are even thinking about taking their own life.

The NSPCC is calling on people to show their support through a ‘Pledge to Protect’ and make a donation to fund vital services like Childline, which are there for children and teenagers when they have nowhere else to turn.

#KIDS_IRL is being brought to life by a series of hard-hitting films and adverts to raise awareness of the struggles many children and teenagers face across the country.

The stories of children and young people featured throughout the campaign are based on real life experiences of young people who have contacted the NSPCC.

Hollie suffered from chronic anxiety as a teenager which led her to try and take her own life. She says she was saved by Childline: “Following a suicide attempt I contacted Childline and spoke to a counsellor about how I was feeling. It was that conversation that stopped me from trying to take my life again when I got off the phone.

“Over the next couple of years, I stopped talking, walking, eating and taking care of myself. There were also more stays in hospital.

“Yet despite not talking to anyone, I would often call Childline and chat to a counsellor when I was feeling low. The service was my lifeline during my darkest hours.”

Since launching its online chat service, the demand for support and advice from Childline has continued to rise.

Esther Rantzen, Founder and President of Childline, said: “When we launched Childline in 1986, the majority of calls were from young people describing pain caused by someone else, this could include abuse, bullying or neglect.

“But over the last ten years we have seen a rise in the number of children describing their feelings of such intense unhappiness that they tell Childline they want to end their own lives. It is deeply disturbing that we have reached a point where, on average, 67 children a day are receiving help for suicidal thoughts and feelings.

“This new campaign highlights that many of these profoundly unhappy young people hide their feelings to those around them online, bottling up their suicidal thoughts which may become overwhelming.

“Worryingly we don’t have the resources to be there for every child who needs us, which is why it is so important the public get behind #KIDS_IRL and supports the NSPCC in their mission to be there for all the young people who reach out in their darkest hour.”

Mobile screen exposure can lead to poor sleep

Mobile phone use at night time is having a negative impact on young people’s sleep and mental wellbeing, according to a new report.

The Glasgow University report, commissioned by the Scottish Government, summarises the findings from a systematic review of the evidence on adolescent mobile device screen time and the impact on sleep.

It found that:

sleep quality is negatively influenced by mobile phone use in general and social media in particular
night time mobile use and problematic social media use were linked to depressed mood through experiences of poor quality sleep
experiencing online bullying is directly linked to shorter sleep as a result of obsessing about distressing thoughts and emotions

Welcoming publication of the report on a visit to a sleep awareness session run by Sleep Scotland at Montessori Arts School in Edinburgh, Mental Health Minister Clare Haughey said: “There are many positive things about technology, screens and social media.

“However in a society where so many young people have access to a mobile device and social media platforms, it is important that we get an accurate picture of the impact that can have on their sense of emotional wellbeing and their ability to get a proper and uninterrupted sleep.

“Of course it’s not just young people who have a phone or tablet by the side of their bed every night but this research shows the potentially negative impact on children and young people.

“This review is a significant piece of work that gives us a much better insight into the connections between screen time, particularly social media use, and disrupted sleep. While the evidence base is still developing, the findings demonstrate why, in February last year, we announced that we would be providing advice, specific to Scotland, on the healthy use of social media and screen time.

“That advice – being co-produced by young people and for young people – will be published in spring and will add to the help and guidance available to help ensure young people can lead heathier lives.”

Sleep Scotland Interim Chief Executive Karen Jenkinson said: “Poor sleep is a huge problem in our society, and excessive screen time is a contributing factor, leading to increased levels of stress, anxiety and depression. It’s time to wake up to the importance of sleep for our health and wellbeing.”

systematic-literature-review-relationship-between-adolescents-screen-time-sleep-mental-health

Stepping Forward at Royston Wardieburn

New Course starts Monday 24th February

SIDE by SIDE screening

Side by Side is a short film featuring peers from Edinburgh discussing what peer support has brought to their own lives; what peer work is; the power of peer support as an aid for recovery and connection; and what a peer powered future could hold for Edinburgh’s mental health services.

Following the film there will be a panel discussion with some of the peers featured in the film and a chance for you to ask questions, explore the ideas presented in the film and voice how you feel Peer Work in Edinburgh should be moving forward.

The Peer Collaborative would like to invite you to our first public screening of a short film, Side by Side – The Power of Peer Support.

On Tuesday 25 February 5.30-7.30 at Grassmarket Community Project, 86 Candlemaker Row, EH1 2QA.

The film features peers from Edinburgh discussing the power of peer support as an aid for recovery and connection. Afterwards, there will be a panel discussion with some of the people featured in the film.

The link to book a place is below:

Eventbrite https://www.eventbrite.com/e/side-by-side-the-power-of-peer-support-film-screening-and-discussion-tickets-90767394721

Time to Talk Day 2020

Want to get involved in Time to Talk Day 2020?

Join See Me at the Scottish National Portrait Gallery in Edinburgh from 11am on Time to Talk Day tomorrow (Thursday 6th Feb) where we’re hosting a day of live music, mental health and art.

This year we are delighted to be joined by Edinburgh’s Harmony Choir and singer Jessica Sharpe, who will both be performing at the Gallery, plus more TBC!

Volunteer Sean will also be holding a mental health art tour around the Gallery, and we’d love to see you get involved.

Mental health and art have always been closely linked. Art is used as a way to express our feelings, whether it is on a canvas, captured in a photo or sung in a song, it helps us relate to our emotions. It’s also used in therapy for people who are struggling with their mental health and can improve wellbeing for all of us.

But it can be much more than that, it can start conversations and tell stories that change the way we think and behave when it comes to mental health. We are all speaking much more about mental health, and hearing more and more how important it is to tackle mental health stigma, and art can do that.

So we are bringing together art and mental health at the National Portrait Gallery, to host the UK’s biggest anti-stigma campaign of the year, Time to Talk Day, and we’d love to see as many people come down as possible.

We jointly run Time to Talk Day with their partner programmes, Time to Change in England, Time to Change Wales and Change Your Mind in Northern Ireland.

Together See Me and National Galleries Scotland will be putting on a day of music, mental health and art, to encourage people from across Scotland to come down and get involved in Time to Talk Day on February 6^th.

This year we are delighted to be joined by Edinburgh’s Harmony Choir and singer Jessica Sharpe, who will both be performing at the Gallery. We will be confirming the rest of the performers soon.

Time to Talk Day is a day in the year where everyone in the UK is encouraged to have a conversation on mental health. This year is the third year the campaign has run in Scotland.

Last year over 300 workplaces, schools, universities, football teams, youth clubs (and more) took part all over Scotland. Alongside that, on social media #TimetoTalk was trending at number 1 in Scotland and the UK and number 2 worldwide.

Last year Scottish Games of Thrones actor Daniel Portman helped to promote the day by sharing his experiences of anxiety, depression and OCD, focusing on how talking about mental health has helped him.

Previously we’ve also had involvement from Nicola Sturgeon, Des Clarke and Janey Godley, while across the UK the campaign has been supported by Stephen Fry, Fearne Cotton, Frankie Bridge and many others.

Too many people with mental health problems are still made to feel isolated, worthless and ashamed. Conversations have the power to change lives, wherever they take place. This year conversation is at the heart of the day as we use the popular game ‘Would you rather?’ to encourage more people to talk than ever before.

We’ll be having performances from 11am until 2pm in the Great Hall, and will also have a mental health art tour around the gallery. Come down and join us, because your conversation can make a difference.

Find out more about Time to Talk Day by clicking the button below, and keep an eye on our social media for updates on the art tour and performers.

Learn more and join us: https://bit.ly/2sA4ENF

#TimeToTalk