Launch of new mental health guide for World Mental Health Day
This year’s World Mental Health Day, on Monday 10 October sees Sussex charity Possability People, launch a new guide for anyone waiting for mental health support. ‘
‘While You Wait’, written by people who have lived with mental health issues, contains a raft of information and tips for anyone who is waiting for support.
Waiting times for treatment or therapies for mental health conditions can be lengthy, with services stretched. The Covid-19 pandemic has added to this strain and there are increasing numbers of people being referred for conditions like depression and anxiety.
The guide includes a number of ideas, strategies and resources to encourage anyone who is waiting for treatment to do some things that will support them while they wait.
Evidence and research suggests there are five steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbing:
- Connect with others
- Learn something new
- Be active
- Notice things around you and be aware of the moment
- Give or help others.
While You Wait describes these steps, with day to day examples of how they might work. It also includes information about, and contact details for mental health support contacts across Sussex.
Graeme Trelford-Davies, Possability People’s Inclusion and Engagement Manager, says: “We hope our new guide will help anyone who is waiting for a service; we know first hand that it can seem like the light at the end of the tunnel is very far away. But there are many small, easy things we can all do to support our own mental health, which are included in While You Wait. So if you, or someone you know feels lost or anxious, please download it from our website”.
While You Wait was produced in collaboration with Possability People’s Mental Health Lived Experience Advisory Group, which is a forum for people who have a wide range of experiences using mental health services.
Seek help immediately if you are in crisis. If you feel like you have reached breaking point and can’t cope, it’s important to take action immediately. Call the Sussex Mental Healthline on 0800 030 9500.
While You Wait can be downloaded from Possability People’s website at www.possabilitypeople.org.uk/whileyouwait