Get Moving for
World Mental Health day

To recognise and promote World Mental Health Day on October 10th, a series of articles looking at mental health will be posted on Jax Writers Spot throughout October. Extreme Bodies will return next month with an exploration of body building.

Everyone has days when they feel miserable; ups and downs are an inevitable part of life, however for some people these lows don’t go away, they can become overpowering and affect their ability to cope with everyday life. It is estimated 1 in 4 people in Britain will experience some form of mental distress at some point in their lives, yet there is still a lot of stigma attached to being mentally ill.

In a recent survey undertaken by the Department of Health (July 2007), when people were asked what they believed was meant by mental illness, 63% of the respondents defined mental illness as someone suffering from Schizophrenia. It is clear that there is a still a lot of misunderstanding surrounding what mental health is. When people think about mental ill health they often picture people who are not able to hide their distress, however many people with mental health problems do not come across as being ill; as they can put on a ‘well face’.

Mental ill health can take many forms. If you are feeling low, worthless, and unmotivated most days you may be experiencing depression, while constant and unrealistic worries about life could indicate you are suffering from anxiety. Depression and anxiety however often go hand in hand. Whether someone is feeling tearful everyday or finding they can’t cope with life, if the symptoms have lasted two weeks or more the first port of call should be the doctors. They should be able to look at a person’s individual circumstances, and assess the best way to help them.

Anxiety and depression can be a vicious circle, as it can slow you down mentally and physically, and as you do less it becomes even more difficult to do anything. Taking part in some sort of physical activity and becoming more active may be one way to break the circle.

Get moving
‘Get moving’ is a Country wide campaign to promote the benefits of physical exercise for mental wellbeing, which also aims to raise awareness and reduce stigma surrounding mental health. For a whole week there are activities organised all over the country, from gardening, to walking, to football tournaments. The week will launch on the 4th of October, and continue until World Mental health day itself (10th October 08) when there will be a mass walk in Battersea Park in London.

The mile long walk across Battersea Park is from 10.30am to 1.00pm and starts and ends at the athletics track. For more information; look at the website, email getmoving@mind.org.uk or phone 02082153223.

If you want to get involved with any of the activities, and show your support for the millions of people who experience mental health distress, you can see what is happening in your area and pledge to take part at: www.getmovingweek.co.uk

Get moving is part of an initiative called ‘Time to change’ (formerly known as Moving people) which is a collaboration between Mind, Mental Health Media, Rethink and the Institute of Psychiatry, and is aimed at ending the discrimination that people with mental health issues often face.

Support and information for people in mental distress

Here are just a few useful organisations where people suffering from mental distress may be able to find some extra information and support:

Mind is a very proactive charity, offering support and information to anyone suffering from mental distress, as well as challenging discrimination and promoting the inclusion of people in all areas of society with mental ill health. The services they provide includes the MindinfoLine which provides callers with confidential help on a range of mental health issues, on 0845 766 0163 from 9.00am to 5.00pm, Monday to Friday.

Mind produces over 100 publications, which are all available in full on their website. These include: ‘Understanding ……..’ booklets covering depression, anxiety and other mental health problems, as well as fact sheets with information ranging from how to cope, to seeking employment, and information on common medication.

There are also 200 local Mind associations, which work in accordance with Mind’s mission, but are run and funded independently. They offer a range of services from counselling to support groups. You can search for a group local to you from their website: www.mind.org.uk

The Depression Alliance provides information and support for people suffering from depression. They have a range of publications which can be downloaded for free from their website, although as they are a charity they do appreciate a donation. Alternatively you can get hard copies of their publications by post. They also have a pen friend and email service for people in mental distress.

On their website, they have a range of useful information including; tips for friends and family for helping someone suffering from depression, and ideas for people to help themselves. For more information go to www.depressionalliance.org

Anxiety UK (formerly the National Phobics Society) is a charity supporting people with anxiety disorders, which is run by people who have, or have had problems with anxiety themselves. It provides information and support through a range of services, such as on online forum, email support and helpline (08444 775 774 9.30am to 5.30pm Monday to Friday).

Anxiety UK’s website offers a range of information on subjects such as: different anxiety disorders, medication, and how to cope with phobias. As it is a charity, it also offers specialist services to people who become members for an annual fee. For more information go to www.anxietyuk.org.uk

The Samaritans are probably one of the most well known organisations offering 24 hour confidential emotional support for anyone experiencing feelings of despair, including those which may lead to thoughts of harming themselves in some way. As well as their 24 hour helpline 08457 90 90 90 they can also offer support via email, letter and face to face in one of their 201 branches around the UK. For more information go to www.samaritans.org