There could be many reasons why you or your colleagues are struggling with emotional wellbeing.
Feeling excluded or not understood, experiencing discrimination or stigma, anxiety or stress, having relationship or financial worries; these are just a few examples of how everyday life can affect us.
For some of us, certain life events may affect their emotional wellbeing, such as experiencing a bereavement, going through a relationship break-up, changing jobs, or moving to a new area or country without family, friends or community networks.
You are not alone. If you feel like you might seriously harm yourself or attempt to end your own life, you need urgent medical help – call 999 now, or go to your closest Accident & Emergency unit.
You can contact the following Crisis Mental Health Services (24/7):
- Barking & Dagenham Mental Health Direct - 0300 555 1000
- City & Hackney Crisis Pathway Services – 08000730006
- Havering Mental Health Direct - 0300 555 1000
- Newham Mental Health Crisis Helpline - 02077715888
- Redbridge Mental Health Direct - 0300 555 1000
- Tower Hamlets Mental Health Crisis Line - 08000730003
- Waltham Forest Mental Health Direct - 0300 555 1000
If you want to discuss your mental health concerns you can always speak to your local doctor, who can provide you with advice and direct you to the best support for you.
Alternatively, if you are stressed, worried, or feeling down, you can access our local adult mental health services, called ‘Talking Therapies’ (Talk Changes in City and Hackney), without having to contact your doctor.
If you feel you could benefit from talking therapies, please follow this link https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/talking-therapies-medicine-treatments/talking-therapies-and-counselling/nhs-talking-therapies/.
If you feel like you could benefit from wellbeing support within your organisation, please contact your OH department, your health and wellbeing champions and your staff support teams.
As a health or social care professional, your emotional wellbeing is as important as the wellbeing of the people you care for.
The Mental Health Foundation defines emotional wellbeing as “a positive sense of wellbeing which enables an individual to be able to function in society and meet the demands of everyday life; people in good mental health have the ability to recover effectively from illness, change, or misfortune.”
Part of emotional wellbeing is resilience, which impacts how you react to and approach the challenges you face.
As a health or social care professional, your emotional wellbeing is as important as the wellbeing of the people you care for.
It is easy to get caught up in a cloud of negative thoughts and emotions. There are a variety of ways to break out of this negative cycle, and improve your resilience and emotional wellbeing. The NHS provides a useful guide on 5 steps to mental wellbeing:
- Connect with other people
- Be physically active
- Learn new skills
- Give to others
- Pay attention to the present moment (mindfulness)