Latest News
New Rethink guides for carers
Rethink Mental Illness and the Meriden Family Programme have created Caring for Yourself to help people with mental health problems and carers, family and friends. Read More…
A&E must change or face collapse, NHS warned
Urgent changes must be made to the way A&E units are run – or the system could collapse, doctors and managers say. Read More…
Young carers ‘see education and job prospects damaged’
Children caring for a relative could have their education and job prospects permanently damaged, a charity warns. Read More…
Young Carers are not treated equally in Care Bill
Carers Trust welcomes the Care Bill as a significant development for the thousands of carers with care and support needs who are looking after family and friends. Read More…
Mental Health Awareness Week
For one week each May, there is a campaign around a specific theme for Mental Health Awareness Week, a week in which awareness of mental health and wellbeing issues is raised.
Since the first Mental Health Awareness Week in 2000, topics like loneliness, altruism, sleep, anger, fear, alcohol and friendship into the public sphere have all been promoted.
Last year’s campaign, “Doing Good Does You Good,” centred on altruism and resulted in the most successful week ever in online history, with more than 25,000 visitors to the Mental Health website, a 357% increase in the number of followers for their dedicated Facebook page, and press circulation figures exceeding 18 million.
May 13-19,2013: Physical activity and wellbeing
The benefits of physical activity for reducing obesity and preventing chronic illness have been very well publicised, and yet only one-third of the population meet UK physical activity guidelines.
The aim of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is to change the way we view physical activity in the UK: to shift physical activity from a behaviour which we do because we ‘have to’, ‘should do’ or ‘ought to do’ for our health, to something which we do because we personally value its positive benefits to our wellbeing.
With your support, we could boost last year’s success and raise awareness of the importance of physical activity for positive mental health among an even wider audience.
Anyone can make simple changes that have a huge impact on their mental health and wellbeing. We’ve come up with ten practical ways to take care of yourself and get the most from life.
Mental health is about the way you think and feel and your ability to deal with ups and downs. Making simple changes to how you live doesn’t need to cost a fortune or take up loads of time. Anyone can follow our advice.
1. TALK ABOUT YOUR FEELINGS:
Talking about your feelings can help you stay in good mental health and deal with times when you feel troubled. It’s part of taking charge of your wellbeing and doing what you can to stay healthy.
2. EAT WELL:
There are strong links between what we eat and how we feel – for example, caffeine and sugar can have an immediate effect. But food can also have a long-lasting effect on your mental health.
3. KEEP IN TOUCH:
Friends and family can make you feel included and cared for. They can offer different views from whatever’s going on inside your own head. They can help keep you active, keep you grounded and help you solve practical problems.
4. TAKE A BREAK
A change of scene or a change of pace is good for your mental health. It could be a five-minute pause from cleaning your kitchen, a half-hour lunch break at work or a weekend exploring somewhere new. A few minutes can be enough to de-stress you.
5. ACCEPT WHO YOU ARE
Some of us make people laugh, some are good at maths, others cook fantastic meals. Some of us share our lifestyle with the people who live close to us, others live very differently. We’re all different.
6. KEEP ACTIVE
Experts believe exercise releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel good. Regular exercise can boost your self-esteem and help you concentrate, sleep, look and feel better. Exercise also keeps the brain and your other vital organs healthy.
7. DRINK SENSIBLY
We often drink alcohol to change our mood. Some people drink to deal with fear or loneliness, but the effect is only temporary.
None of us are superhuman. We all sometimes get tired or overwhelmed by how we feel or when things go wrong. If things are getting too much for you and you feel you can’t cope, ask for help.
9. DO SOMETHING YOU ARE GOOD AT
Call to screen carers for depression
Carers should be routinely screened for signs of depression by their GP to ensure their health needs are not neglected, doctors’ leaders say. Read More…
Social care should have £2bn share of NHS budget, says MP
At least £2bn of the NHS budget should be used to meet the costs of social care for older people in a move that it is claimed would ultimately save the health service money, according to an influential backbench Tory MP. Read More…
Carers UK sets out key tests for Care and Support Bill
Carers UK has warmly welcomed enhanced rights for carers in England which will be included in new legislation announced in the Queen’s Speech. Read More…
Future of Carers Allowance Unclear
The government published its White Paper on Welfare Reform yesterday leaving questions relevant to carers still unanswered. Read More…
The Queen’s Speech: What it means for carers
Each year the Queen opens a new session of Parliament with a speech setting out the Government’s legislative plans for the forthcoming session. Read More…
