Column Piece by Councillor Andrew Reid, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Public Protection and Communities
Just as we have physical health, we all have mental health. And in the same way as physical health, our mental health can get better or worse. It can be affected by the things we do or the environment that surrounds us. Despite this, many of us find mental health difficult to talk about, even to our closest friends or family.
But we should talk about it.
This Thursday, 3 February 2022, is Time to Talk Day. Run by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, Time to Talk Day is the nation’s biggest mental health conversation.
One in four of us will experience a mental health problem in any given year. When you are struggling it can really help, even just to know that someone else has experienced the same thing you are experiencing. By opening up the conversation about mental health, we can support ourselves and others to feel better, together.
There are some easy things we can all do every day to help us generally feel better. “The Five Ways to Wellbeing” offers ideas about how we can feel good by following five simple steps:
- Moving more.
- Learning a new skill like a language, or an instrument.
- Connecting with others.
- Giving your time to help others in need, saying thank you or doing something nice for a friend.
- Taking Notice of where we are and what we are feeling.
Just taking a short stroll in nature can be enough to give a new perspective and change our mood. The Keep Moving Suffolk website has plenty of ideas to help you move more indoors or outdoors, whether you exercise a little or a lot and there are many more ideas to support your wellbeing on the Healthy Suffolk website. How about saying thank you to a friend, neighbour or teacher, for example, with Suffolk Says Thanks.
It’s vital, perhaps now more than ever, to look after our general wellbeing and notice when we may not be feeling ourselves. In the last two years since the beginning of the Coronavirus pandemic, we have all gone through a shared trauma. We must recognise that the pandemic, and the unprecedented measures required to reduce the spread of the virus, have placed extraordinary pressures and demands on every single one of us.
As we recover from the most severe impacts of the pandemic, we are working with partners across the system to support communities, workplaces, and public sector organisations to create places and environments which support mental and emotional wellbeing in Suffolk.
One in five people think about suicide in their lifetime, and sadly one in fifteen attempt it.
This is a stark fact and the idea of talking about suicide can be a daunting one. Many people fear talking to someone about suicide in case they give the person the idea, but there is in fact no evidence to support this and for many it can be a huge relief to be asked the question in a direct way.
You don’t need special skills to help someone who is feeling suicidal. Sometimes just talking, a smile or a friendly gesture can be all someone needs to make a connection.
If you know someone who is acting out of character, or if you see someone who is feeling low, just say something. Ask them how they are. Often, asking a second or third time can be all it takes to let people know that you have time for them. By just saying something, you can make the difference.
It’s OK not to be OK. It’s always OK to ask for help. If you are struggling or are worried about someone, there are organisations who can help, no matter how tough the situation may seem.
Samaritans offer a listening ear for confidential support 24/7.
Call: 116 123
Email: [email protected]
Victim Support
Losing a loved one to suicide is an extremely traumatic experience. Victim Support’s Bereaved by Suicide Service aims to ease the distress and improve the wellbeing of those in Suffolk and Colchester and Tendring who have been bereaved by suicide. The service provides emotional support, practical help and signposting to other organisations.
Email: [email protected]
The national Support line service is available 24/7 on: 08 08 16 89 111
First Response 24/7 helpline A 24/7 helpline for people of all ages, offering immediate support for mental health difficulties.
Call: 0808 196 3494
Some signs to look out for if you think a friend or family member may be struggling:
- Talking or writing about death, dying or suicide
- Actively looking for ways to end their life
- Talking about feeling hopeless or having no reason to live
- Talking about being a burden to others
- Talking about feeling trapped or in unbearable pain
- Increasing use of alcohol or drugs
- Suddenly very much ‘recovered’ after a period of depression
- Visiting or calling people unexpectedly to say goodbye
- Making arrangements, setting their affairs in order
- Giving things away, such as prized possessions
- Significant changes in sleep and eating patterns
- Deterioration in personal hygiene or appearance/ social withdrawal and isolation
