The state of our mental health varies from time to time, just like our physical health. In the course of a year, 1 in 4 people in Britain will have a problem with their mental health.
 
Local services from the NHS, Local Authority and independent sector provide support, social care, and a range of treatments. If you need help with your mental health the first person to see is usually your GP. A referral could then be made to a specialist mental health professional within the practice for assessment (Gateway workers) or to a Community Mental Health Team.
 
If you feel it's an emergency and you have harmed yourself, you would need to get to Accident and Emergency at Queen Alexandra Hospital where you should be offered a mental health assessment following treatment.
 
Sometimes other agencies may refer you to mental health such as the Police.
 
If you are already linked into the mental health services in Portsmouth and you need help, your care plan or appointment card will advise you of numbers to ring. If you are unsure call: 023 9268 3400.
 
If you are not in contact yet with mental health services in Portsmouth and need someone to talk to, Saneline on 020 7375 1002 or email: info@sane.org.uk will be able to help.
 
If you need urgent help you can call the Samaritans on 08457 90 90 90 or email them at: jo@samaritans.org.
 

MENTAL WELLBEING

When people experience severe and enduring issues, they are sometimes described as 'mentally ill' - but this label can be damaging, misleading and is highly stigmatising.
 
Most people who experience mental or emotional distress can recover or learn to live with it.
 
Mental distress can be triggered by a range of possible factors including reaction to stressful or traumatic life events, family background, or genetic make up.
 
You can look after your mental health by:
 

• Talking about feelings
• Keeping active
• Eating well and drinking sensibly
• Asking for help when you need it
• Accepting who you are
• Participating in enjoyable activities
• Taking a break
• Listening to those you trust
• Maintaining contact with people

READY FOR TODAY

Relax and make time just for yourself. Just as we get physically tired we get emotionally tired too. Try to incorporate something you enjoy into every day.
 
Exercise produces a chemical (endorphin) release in the body, which can create a natural 'feel good' factor. Exercise has been shown to be as effective for some people in the treatment of mild to moderate depression as anti-depressant medication.
 
Ask and seek help. Most problems, if they are diagnosed early, can be treated effectively and often by your own G.P. Your G.P. is able also to make referral to specialist services.
 
Diet has a huge part to play in how we feel and cope. What we eat can directly affect how we feel, just as how we feel can affect what we eat. By eating a well balanced and nutritious diet, eating regularly and avoiding sugary snacks and caffeine to keep us going the body and mind are better prepared to cope with what life throws at us.
 
You are an individual. What affects you and how you deal with life is unique to you. In order to build up a level of resistance and develop coping strategies you first need to look at where you cope well and where you cope less well, where you get your support from and know when you need to ask for help.
 
Do not embark on an exercise regime or radical change in diet or change/stop medication without first seeking medical advice.
 

SITES FOR MORE INFO...

www.mind.org.uk
www.mentalhealth.org.uk
www.together-uk.org
www.sane.org.uk
www.depressionalliance.org
www.mdf.org.uk
www.personalitydisorder.org.uk
www.youngminds.org.uk
www.mentalhealth.org.uk/ways-to-look-after-your-mental-health-2008/