Be kind to your mind

We all see our mental health go up and down. We all face times when we have lower mood, stress or anxiety. Where these feelings and experiences persist, impacting our lives and making it difficult to cope with every day activities, then this is a mental health problem. Sometimes there are things you can change for yourself to make things better. Take time to check how you’re feeling and if you are worried about anything talk to someone. Getting help early can make all the difference.

The NHS Every Mind Matters web resources includes tips and information on staying well.

It has been widely publicised that mental health challenges have increased in response to the Coronavirus pandemic, making life more challenging for us all as individuals and communities. At West Oxfordshire District Council we recognise the part we can play in promoting early intervention and prevention to support our residents with their mental health.

Working in partnership with local services, the Be Kind To Your Mind campaign is here to improve awareness and understanding of mental health across West Oxfordshire; highlight ways in which you can improve your health and wellbeing through self-help techniques and recognise the services which are providing invaluable support.

You can follow our social media hashtag #BeKindtoYourMind and social channels for helpful information.

Key support and contacts in Oxfordshire

There are several resources available if you need to talk to someone on any topic regarding your mental health. Here are some below:

• The Mind Guide (Mental health services directory in Oxfordshire)
• The Youth in Mind Guide (Young people's mental health services in Oxfordshire)

In the event of a crisis here are some organisations who can help

• Call Samaritans on 116 123 (freephone). They're always open
• Text SHOUT to 85258. This is a free 24/7 crisis text service run by Shout
• Papyrus UK – Prevention of young suicide 0800 068 4141
• Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) 0800 58 58 58
  Designed to engage men, provides listening services, information and support for anyone who needs to talk, including a web chat.

Other helpful resources

• Watch - 5 ways to wellbeing
  
  

Featured

To highlight mental health support services for residents through gardening and physical activity, we spoke with Bridewell Gardens located near Witney, who help residents to transform lives using gardening and working in nature.

As part of our mental health campaign we spoke to Home-Start Oxford, a organisation in West Oxfordshire that provides non-judgmental, compassionate, confidential and individual support to families who are going through tough times, and have at least one child under 5.