Adult Mental Health

Below are some strategies that sometimes help distract a person when they have thoughts of self harm.
 
.  Pinging an elastic band
.  Holding cold ice cubes against the skin
.  Drawing on skin
.  Tight or heavy clothing
.  Being held tightly
.  Rubbing on cream
.  Chewing something with a strong taste
.  Smelling something with a strong scent (lavender rolling ball bottle)
.  Having a cool shower or bath
.  Music (exploring different music styles)
.  Recording of your voice offering words of reassurance
.  Physical (rhythmic) movement
.  Doing an activity using the hands
.  Screaming into a pillow/silent screams of rage
.  Punching a pillow or punch bag
.  Writing it down and then screwing it up/burning it
.  Writing poetry
.  Drawing and creative expression
.  Singing, dancing, acting

Staying at home and self-isolating for a prolonged period can be difficult, frustrating and lonely for some people and you or other household members may feel low.
It is important to take care of your mind as well as your body and get support if you need it. There are many sources of support and information:
Looking after your mental health and wellbeing
Supporting children and young people

http://www.westsussex.gov.uk/yourmindmatters

Every Mind Matters provides some simple tips and advice on how to take better care of your mental health.
If you live in England and are aged 18 or over, you can access NHS psychological therapies (IAPT) services.
A GP can refer you, or you can refer yourself directly without a referral.

Find an NHS psychological therapies service (IAPT)

Help for those with suicidal thoughts – If you do feel suicidal or have significant concerns then please contact your GP or call 111. Other sources of help are provided in the link.

Mid-Sussex Wellbeing are a great resource and can provide excellent information regarding advice and supports on how to make small changes for big differences to your health and well being. They can provide support with exercise, weight loss, wellbeing coaches, sociability and have access to a whole host of organisations accessing as a gateway to filter what may suit you best.

Please look at their website; you can self refer or discuss this with any of our clinical team:
https://midsussex.westsussexwellbeing.org.uk
https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-guidance-for-the-public-on-mental-health-and-wellbeing/guidance-for-the-public-on-the-mental-health-and-wellbeing-aspects-of-coronavirus-covid-19

Here are some self help links to websites that some patients find useful:
https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/
http://www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk/
https://moodgym.com.au/
Information for parents/carers
https://www.nhs.uk/oneyou/every-mind-matters/
https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/improve-mental-wellbeing/
https://moodcafe.co.uk/
https://web.ntw.nhs.uk/selfhelp/
This is an Australian site that has some useful resources which may be helpful: https://www.cci.health.wa.gov.au/
This is a recommended YouTube channel that says it in simple ways and isn’t trying to sell anything: https://www.youtube.com/user/getselfhelp/videos
 
Bereavment
https://www.cruse.org.uk/

Pain
https://painconcern.org.uk/
https://www.paintoolkit.org/resources/for-patients


Private Counselling
https://www.midsussexcounsellingcentre.org.uk

These are the names of some “apps” that you can put on your phone to support your mental health, some patients have found them useful, but make sure they are right for you:
Headspace
Stay Alive
Calm

Time to Talk is a friendly and approachable NHS service offering talking therapies for a variety of conditions.
https://www.sussexcommunity.nhs.uk/services/servicedetails.htm?directoryID=16358

Self-referral form

Who you can speak to if you feel unsafe: 
Call NHS 111 who have a crisis support part of their service and can call an ambulance to take you to a place of safety as needed
Call Sussex mental health line 03005000101. This is available outside of normal GP hours
Call us here in the GP practice
Accident & Emergency (open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week) : 999

24/7 Numbers to call 
Samaritans (open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Call 08457 909090 or email: [email protected]
 
Childline (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Call: 0800 1111 Or chat online:
http://www.childline.org.uk/Talk/Chat/Pages/OnlineChat.aspx
 
Young Minds (mental health): http://www.youngminds.org.uk/
 
Web based resources 
 www.childmentalhealthcentre.org (child mental health)
www.headspace.com/ (A mindfulness app for relaxation)
http://smilingmind.co..au (Relaxation made easy)
 
Who parents/carers can speak to if they are worried a child is not safe: 
Young Minds – https://youngminds.org.uk/find-help/for-parents
Helpline on 0808 802 5544 from 9.30am – 4pm Mon-Fri
 
NSPCC on 0808 800 5000 or email [email protected]