How keeping a healthy body can help fight mental health problems

Do you need any help with your mental health?

There are countless places for people to go who are struggling and getting past the stigma of speaking up is a key first step. The following are places you can visit if you feel you’re beginning to struggle. Some of which we go through in the article: Samaritans – offering a safe place for people to talk to 24 hours a day and seven days a week – 116 123 Papyrus – They offer support and advice specifically tailored to younger people. This can be used if you or someone close to you seems to be struggling – 0800 068 4141 Raw ‘n’ Real – These are a group on the Wirral helping younger men talk through any problems they have with a group of young men. https://www.instagram.com/rnr.nw/ Running Head First – Highlighting the link between mental and physical health and encouraging those struggling to get active. https://runningheadfirst.org/

How a healthy body makes a healthy mind

LUKE POLLITT investigates mental health and the links between keeping fit and a healthy mindset, talking about how local charities are tackling the stigma of opening up

Chris Redmond is a personal trainer from the Wirral and runs a local charity called Running Head first. He set the charity up, in 2019, with the aim of improving people’s mental health through physical activity. In 2015, Chris himself suffered a mental breakdown. Describing it as the most harrowing time of his life, he had suffered with anxiety, stress and depression for a long time. Followed by a prolonged period of recovery. Throughout his recovery, Chris made the most of running to help manage the symptoms of his mental health. He noticed how little was available when it came to physical exercise to help people in similar situations to his, so he decided to change that. The charity provides a wide variety of services to aid in the recovery of mental illness. These include mental health interventions, inclusive social groups and treatment pathways that can benefit recovery, a running and walking club, catering to all fitness levels alongside an online run club currently in development and events in the community that are available to all. In 2020, Samaritans reported that 4,912 people committed suicide in England, 3,682 of which were men. Making up 75% of all suicides, men are3.1x more likely to take their own life than women in England. A strong link has been found between the how your mental and physical health affect each other. The World Health Organisation reported that lifestyle choices work in unison when it comes to a person’s health. Physical activity, smoking, alcohol consumption and diet all have a massive say in how healthy someone’s mind is. The Mental Health Foundation goes into detail on how everyone can play a part in preventing suicide, explaining how a short conversation can sometimes be enough to make a difference.

‘WAIT’

This acroynm is a great way to remember how you can support people who are struggling:

Watch out for signs of distress and uncharacteristic behaviour

Ask “are you having suicidal thoughts?”

It will pass – assure your loved one that, with help, their suicidal feelings will pass with time

Talk to others – encourage your loved one to seek help from a GP or health professional. The Department of Health and Social Care released plans for suicide prevention with a more focused approach in relation to at risk groups. These include people from Black, Asian and minority ethnic groups and asylum seekers, lesbian, gay and bisexual people and transgender people. ‘No health without mental health’ is the cross-government strategy to help tackle the problem of deteriorating mental health. A report by the department said: “The stigma associated with mental health problems, can act as a barrier to people seeking and accessing the help that they need, increasing isolation and suicide risk. The Government is supporting the national mental health anti-stigma and discrimination Time to Change programme, which includes work targeted at BME communities.” Raw ‘n’ Real, again based on the Wirral, are a group of young men offering support for young men struggling with mental health problems. The group host a weekly walk and talk along the promenade, welcome to any young lad who is struggling. Offering emotional support and guidance an providing those men with a pathway to a healthier mindset. In February, the group also put together a community fun day in New Ferry, offering families a chance for an activity filled day, whilst at the same time raising money and awareness about mental health, wellbeing and fitness. Throughout last month, members took part in running over 100km to raise money for to the Wirral Mind charity. This came after one of the members, Martin, lost his uncle Drew to suicide over the Christmas period. The group said: “Ourselves and Martin believe the best way to deal with this situation is to bounce back and really make a positive impact by stepping out of our comfort zones within the February period in respect to Drew’s life.” For more information on this appeal visit (https://www.justgiving.com/ fundraising/raw-n-real-cic)