World Mental Health Day (WMHD) 2018

World Mental Health Day (WMHD) 2018

Approximately 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem each year, with this in mind health professionals from Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust are raising awareness of the help and support that is available to people across Lancashire.

World Mental Health Day (WMHD) takes place on 10 October each year and is held by the World Mental Health Foundation and is supported by organisations to encourage people to start conversations about mental health to help reduce discrimination and stigma surrounding the topic.

This WMHD the Wellbeing and Mental Health Helpline and the Mindsmatter service at Lancashire Care are reminding people of the support they offer as part of World Mental Health Day. The Mental Health Helpline is providing a listening ear for people who may be feeling lonely, stressed or experiencing mental health problems and thoughts of suicide. The helpline volunteers offer emotional support for anyone experiencing distress and supports callers by using listening skills to enable people to make their own choices about how their health care needs may be met.

Lorraine Khalaf, Wellbeing and Mental Health Helpline Manager at Lancashire Care NHS Foundation Trust said:

“World Mental Health Day is a great time to start conversations around mental health. Many people may be afraid to speak out if they are concerned about their mental health or someone they know due to stigma around this subject. However, we want people to know that it is ok to talk about how you’re feeling and even if you don’t feel like you can speak to family and friends, the helpline is here to provide a listening ear.

“We understand it can be quite difficult to know what to say but there is no need to worry, our trained operators are on hand to put you at ease and provide information and support when you need it most.”

The Mindsmatter service provides talking therapies, psychological and therapeutic support for people living in Lancashire and St Helens. The service is urging people to get in touch to raise awareness and reduce the stigma linked with mental health.

Kieran Fleck from the Mindsmatter Service said:

“Sadly there is still a lot of stigma surrounding mental health which can often deter people from opening up and getting in touch with their local support service. As part of the WMHD campaignwe want to encourage people who are feeling low, lonely or experiencing mental health problems to refer in to the service and get the help they need. No one should feel as though they have no one to talk to and WMHD is a great opportunity to raise the profile of the mental health services that are available. We want to remind people of the many ways in which they can access the service and that it is ok to talk.”

Mindsmatter provides educational classes on understanding and managing stress, anxiety and depression. They also offer techniques to improve relaxation, sleep, as well as providing access to counselling and online cognitive behavioural therapy programmes. People can access via the online referral form from the comfort of their own home, by post, telephone or by visiting their GP. For more information about your local Mindsmatter service and to access their online self-referral form please visit www.lancashirecare.nhs.uk/Mindsmatter.

The helpline available Monday to Friday 7pm to 11pm and Saturday and Sunday 12 midday to 12 midnight. For more information please call on 0800 915 4640 or visit their website atwww.lancashirecare.nhs.uk/Mental-Health-Helpline.