We all know we need to eat well and keep active to ensure we are physically fit and healthy, but what do we do to ensure good mental and emotional wellbeing?
In Brent we promote the 5+1 ways to wellbeing, which are 6 actions that you can take to help support your emotional and mental wellbeing.
Each day you should try to:
- Connect - with friends, family, neighbours, colleagues or your local community.
- Be active - get out and move! Walk, run, garden, dance - find something you like to do.
- Take notice - of your surroundings, and how they make you feel.
- Keep learning - try something new, rediscover something old. Read a book, make a new meal, learn a new game, set yourself a new challenge and follow it through.
- Give - do something nice for someone. It feels nice to know you've brightened someone's day.
- Create – make, build, perform anything from start to finish that brings you enjoyment.
What can I do?
There are many activities in Brent happening every day that you can come on down and participate in. Many are free, and many offer the chance to meet new people and get involved. Why not:
- visit a library
- develop a new hobby or interest, sign up to free personal development or lifestyle courses
- get active at one of our outdoor gyms or one of the many physical activities in the borough
- take advantage of our free exercise programme in our parks
- borrow some mood enhancing books from the Reading Well scheme
- take some time for yourself and join the free lead walks in our parks
- get outdoors and meet some new friends and neighbours
- learn about the history of the borough, and the street you live in through the museum and archives events
Support
There are a range of free mental health services available via the local NHS Mental Health Trust.
- Free Bereavement Support, offering free support to residents who have been bereaved and experienced loss.
- Brent Gateway supports people with social isolation, support carers and champions their rights and provides advocacy.
- Good Thinking is a digital service which support those with anxiety, stress, low mood, sleep problems and other concerns.
Want to talk to someone?
If you don't feel yourself, and would like to talk to someone specifically about this, there are many people who can help you. It’s important to remember that you’re not alone, If you want to talk to someone about how you're feeling, you can call an emotional support helpline.
- NHS 24/7 all-ages crisis lines
- Samaritans: a confidential support service for anyone experiencing distress or despair. Call: 116 123 for free.
- Papyrus: a helpline service to people under 35 who are experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide. Call 0800 068 41 41 for free.
- CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably): a helpline for anyone who needs help. Call 0800 58 58 for free.
- The Silverline: for anyone over 55. They provide friendship, conversation and support. Call 0800 4 70 80 90 for free
- Brent Talking Therapies is a free NHS service which provides psychological treatment for depression and anxiety disorders. You do not need to be referred into this service by your GP, you are able to self-refer.
- Brent MIND support people with mild, moderate, long and enduring mental health needs.
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Ashford Place offer support and advice when you need it. Activities and advice to keep you fit and well, and a friendly place to meet, eat and chat. If you require more specialist care, contact the single point of access team which is open 24/7. Call: 0800 0234 650 or email: cnw-tr.spa@nhs.net
Training
- Free Adult and Youth Mental Health First Aid Training for adults who work with young people between the ages of 8-18 or work with adults, ideally in the borough. Contact healthyliving@brent.gov.uk.
- Free Mental Health Awareness and Suicide Prevention training for any adult that lives or works in the borough. Contact admin@thejengroup.com.
