Taking care of our mental health means looking after our thoughts and feelings to live a fulfilling and meaningful life. It is about understanding that our mind, body, and surroundings are all connected, and by keeping a positive mental state, we contribute to our overall well-being and quality of life. On any given day, our mental health can fluctuate, meaning that we may have periods of low mood. This is completely normal. However, if we have experience extended periods of poor mental wellbeing, we are much more likely to develop a mental health problem.
Talking about mental health is one of the ways that we can prevent more complex mental health problems arising or reemerging in those with a diagnosis.
Ask
- How are you?
- How are you feeling at the moment?
- What has been happening for you recently?
- How have things been going?
Assist
- You mentioned you are feeling low, why do you think that is?
- What have you been doing to make yourself feel better?
- What more would you like to do or do more of that would help?
- Reflect what has been said to you; “you said you have not been sleeping well, tell me a bit more about that?
- It may be worth asking about the causes and what could be done to address them e.g. debt management, housing support, stress management.
Act
- Give reassurances that there are lots of sources of support and that feelings of low mood are normal and common.
- If you are worried that this person is in crisis, please see section for Suicide Prevention.
- Encourage contacting local mental health support services or GP
- Encourage self-help techniques and resources
- Talk about the Five Ways to Wellbeing. The mental health equivalent to the dietary advice to have ‘5 a day’ fruit and vegetables for physical health
- 1. Connect with other people
- 2. Be physically active
- 3. Learn new skills
- 4. Give to others
- 5. Take notice
- Provide reassurance that recovery from spells of poor mental health or mental illness is achievable and likely.