Take 5 steps to improve your mental health…

“Mental health is about wellbeing rather than illness”

Everybody has mental health; some people may experience positive mental health and some may struggle with it.

In the UK, one in four people struggles with their mental health with 54% of sick days due to stress, depression or anxiety. Unfortunately, those people who do struggle often don’t seek help. They may not know who to go to or what to do when they notice signs or start to feel a bit off. This is where RJVN8 can support individuals to receive the help they need. If you are in any doubt about yours or a friend’s mental state, give us a call on 02039504259 and we will point you in the right direction! 

When struggling with mental health, you may feel anxious, down, depressed, frustrated, angry, or overwhelmed. While these feelings can be normal and completely natural, it’s important to know when they are past that point and when you should reach out for help. When you experience mental health problems, it can negatively influence your thoughts and feelings. This has the potential to damage relationships around you, your work and your overall wellbeing. Which nobody wants!

Many people living with mental health problems experience lower self-esteem, isolation and poor physical health. However that does not mean you will too! You can overcome your mental health problems through careful management and support services it is possible to regain control with the goal of becoming happier, healthier and stronger. 

What Can Cause Mental Health Problems?

Mental health problems can be caused by a number of things. This includes biological factors, current circumstances, individual factors and life experiences. Biological factors can mean that one of your family members struggled with their mental health.

Current circumstances can include stress in your life, negative relationships, money issues, struggling at work or school.

Individual factors can include personal thought patterns, current lifestyle (drinking and drug use included) and your own coping skills.

Life experiences can include grief, abuse, hardships, neglect and difficult situations you have been put in.

These are just a handful of examples; I hope they’ve given you a clearer view of what can cause mental health problems.

Signs You May Need Further Help

Signs can range from thoughts to feelings to behaviours and the signs you may experience will depend upon the severity of your mental health problems.

Here are some of the most common signs:

 · Difficulty sleeping

· Lack of concentration

· Significant fatigue

· Struggling to deal with everyday problems or stress

· Withdrawal from things and people you love

· Extreme mood changes

· Struggling with alcohol or drug use

· Feelings that aren’t “normal” to you or feeling like something isn’t quite right

· Crying for no reason

· Changes in eating habits

· Hallucinations, paranoia or delusions

· Libido changes

· Extreme anger or violence

· Suicidal thoughts or thoughts of self-harm – I feel it’s important to note, if you ever experience this sign, please seek immediate medical assistance and speak to a loved one. Please reach out to Samaritans on 116 123 - free and always online

5 Steps to improve your mental health...

Okay, so you’ve made it this far, do you have any signs of mental health problems? If you’re thinking yes, then GREAT work for seeing and noticing those signs! Here’s what to do next:

1.      Write down the challenges you are facing use the key signs above you may need help with, including those you identify with, (difficulty sleeping, anger or, lack of concentration).

2.      Make a list of the key ways you would be able to address each one. This could be through daily exercise, balanced nutrition or adjustment of routine to achieve balance or a combination of these actions. Give this a week, if you don’t see the results you had hoped for or a significant improvement in mental state follow to point three.

3.      Call your GP and make an appointment to discuss what you’re feeling and the differences you have noticed in your life. It would be useful to reference the most common signs you are experiencing above (anger, changes in eating habits etc.)

4.      Call your loved ones and let them know how you’ve been feeling. This can be your mum or dad, a friend, a partner or somebody you work with. Check in with friends it is important not to be alone.

5.      Try to be open to support and patient with the results. It can be hard to be optimistic when your mental state is not in a positive frame of mind. From our experience with clients, results are achieved by individuals who are willing and open to receive help, like anything in life you get out what you put in. 

Know that it is going to be ok. You have made the first step to creating the life you always wanted. If you are aware that yourself or a friend are struggling with their mental health acknowledging this is one of the biggest steps towards recovery.

Life is not just about surviving. Life should be anything you want, whether that is adventure, a successful career, a beautiful family or six yachts. Whatever it is that you want, that is what life should be about. 

RJVN8 simplify and accelerate access to the support you need. Communication is key as misunderstanding means vulnerable clients won’t get the advice or treatment they need. Misdiagnosis and long waiting lists are the two chief offenders leading to disillusionment, instability and in the worst case fatality.

If you need support don’t wait. Call us today. Our mental health practitioners are waiting for your call: 02039504259

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