Animation release helps those in crisis for World Mental Health Day

Good mental health is something we all deserve, and support is always available.

If you’re feeling low, stressed or overwhelmed, please know you’re not alone. Talk to someone you trust, contact your GP, or reach out to local and national support services.

Talking is good for your mental health, and talking about mental health is important. But starting a conversation isn’t always easy, our animation has some useful tips to help.

Find out more about Talking about your mental health.

Mersey Care’s Talking Therapies service has created a series of new short films aimed at demystifying Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) and helping people understand when and how they might access it as part of their mental health journey.

The films, presented by therapists from the service, explains that CBT is a Step 3 intervention - typically offered after individuals have tried Step 2 support such as computerised CBT without achieving meaningful recovery. Find out more,

Connect with nature

Getting closer to nature can have a calming effect on us. Take a deep breath and tune your senses to what’s around you – the trees, plants, birds and animals.

Talk to someone you trust for support

By talking things through with a person we trust can help and feel like a relief.

Talking may also change how we see and feel about a situation and this can help with our mental health.

Be kind

If you have ever felt lonely, you will know how much it helps to have even a small connection with someone else.

Even something as small as offering a smile or a few kind words can boost our mood and can make a difference to another person.

If you would like to do a little extra, you can help others by getting involved in volunteering work and/or getting together with other people to help with good causes. Doing these things can give us the sense that we can make a difference.

Eating healthy is good for our bodies, brains and mood

Having a balanced diet with lots of fruit and vegetables is essential for good physical and mental health.

Doing things such as sport, gardening, dancing, cycling, walking the dog, are great ways to improve our mental and physical health. It can also help our minds switch off.

Also, having meals with other people can help us to connect and grow relationships.

Get more from your sleep

For many, sleep is often the first thing that suffers when we're struggling with our mental health.

If you’re struggling with your sleep, think about making a few simple changes.

For example:

• Develop a relaxing bedtime routine to help you start winding down before you actually go to sleep
• Avoid TV and mobile screens, alcohol and caffeine before bed
• Go to bed and get up at around the same time every day, including weekends.

For more suggestions, try this guide to sleep and mental health. It includes information about potentially helpful apps and getting professional help if self-help isn’t working for you.

Plan things to look forward to

Planning things that we enjoy and look forward to can help us increase our sense of hope, which is important for our mental health.

Things to look forward to, including fun activities, can help us cope with difficult situations.

Making plans for things we enjoy can increase our sense of hope, which is important for our mental health. Our plan could be for anything from small pleasures, like a cup of tea or your favourite TV programme or dance class, to a trip with family or friends, or seeing your favourite film, sports team or singer. Whether it’s a small or a big one, the important thing is to plan it.