NHS Tayside encourages 'Mindfulness' during Mental Health Awareness Week

TUESDAY, 12 MAY, 2015

PHOTO OPPORTUNITIES: 2-4PM, WEDNESDAY, 13 MAY, CARSEVIEW CENTRE – VOLUNTEER TALKS/STALLS, CARERS TEA & CHAT SESSIONS

7-8PM, WEDNESDAY, 13 MAY, CARSEVIEW CENTRE – LIVE MUSIC

NHS Tayside encourages ‘Mindfulness’ during Mental Health Awareness Week

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, Adult Mental Health Services in Dundee are promoting this year’s theme of ‘Mindfulness’ to patients, staff and members of the public.

Mindfulness is paying attention to the present moment, without getting stuck in the past or worrying about the future. Contrary to popular belief, it isn’t about emptying your mind of thoughts and ‘zoning out’.

Mindfulness helps people observe the way they think and feel about their experiences, whether good or bad, and this can change the way people manage and react to stressful situations.

During the Mental Health Foundation’s Mental Health Awareness Week (11-17 May), a series of events and activities are being run in NHS Tayside premises to raise awareness of the benefits of mindfulness in recovery and keeping mentally healthy.

These include:

    • A creative writing class held at the Dundonald Centre on Monday focused on the mindfulness theme with clients encouraged to incorporate the practice in their writing

    • Cairn Fowk Mental Health Carers Group hosted a stand on the main concourse at Ninewells Hospital to raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing

    • Volunteers will visit Carseview Centre on Wednesday to speak about their positive recovery experience in mental health and there will also be a focus on physical activity with a mini ‘exerciseathon’. Carers tea & chat sessions will take place in the centre and Hearing Voices have organised live music in the evening

    • A drop-in event will take place in The Friary on Thursday, organised by the service user network

    • A series of mindfulness walks for inpatients will take place with physiotherapy staff and the weekly hill walking groups will also focus on mindfulness

    • Staff and patients at Carseview Centre will be given the opportunity to listen to wellbeing podcasts and watch videos about mindfulness

Mindfulness is already known to be successful in helping people with mental and physical health problems from stress, depression and anxiety to chronic pain, eating disorders and concentration. It can help boost productivity at work and give a greater enjoyment of life.

Contact:

Louise Wilson

NHS Tayside Communications

(01382) 740718

12 May 2015