Residents are being made aware of the help available to support people of all ages with mental health issues.
World Mental Health Day, which took place earlier this month, aims to raise awareness of the silent disease which can affect anyone at any time in their lives, and this year, the focus is on mental health in the workplace.
East Riding of Yorkshire Council and NHS Humber Foundation Trust are working together to try to tackle the problem in the East Riding.
A person’s working conditions can be of huge importance to their mental health, and being mentally healthy at work can help with productivity, motivation and general happiness in the workplace.
According to research, 12.7% of all sickness absence days in the UK can be attributed to mental health conditions.
Councillor Jane Evison, portfolio holder for transforming lifestyles at East Riding of Yorkshire Council, said:
“It is important that you look after your physical health, so why shouldn’t you look after your mental health too?
“Ensuring that better mental health support is available in the workplace not only helps employees to be healthier at work, but can also make them feel more relaxed at home.”
Michele Moran, chief executive at NHS Humber Foundation Trust, said:
“With one in four people experiencing mental health problems every year, it is very important to us that everyone is aware of the help available to them.
“World Mental Health Day always provides us with an ideal opportunity to raise awareness of mental ill health and give people the information they need to help them recover and live more satisfying lives.
“The theme of this year’s event – ‘mental health in the workplace’ – is very important to us; and the mental wellbeing of our patients, carers and staff is an essential element of every service we provide.
“Working in partnership with East Riding of Yorkshire Council is one of the key ways in which we can both ensure people inside and outside our organisations continue to receive the outstanding mental health care they deserve and expect.”
Some of the services and sessions that are taking place in the East Riding of Yorkshire which could help employees to be mentally healthy include:
Reach Out Project:
The Reach Out Project supports residents of the East Riding aged 16+ who are experiencing mild to moderate mental health problems and the affect these may have on people’s lives.
Reach Out can offer one-to-one support and advice, and mental health and wellbeing courses and workshops at various venues across the East Riding of Yorkshire, including weekly workshops in Hessle, Bridlington, Driffield, Pocklington, Withernsea, Goole and Beverley.
For more information about these sessions and workshops or to book a place, please call (01482) 240133.
Smoking cessation sessions:
East Riding of Yorkshire Council offers support with smoking cessation, which can help relieve stress, anxiety and depression and helps to give people a more positive outlook on life. These benefits apply to all smokers, not just those with pre-existing mental health problems. For more information please visit www.nhs.uk/smokefree
Reading Well Scheme:
At a time when 1 in 10 young people have a diagnosable mental health issue, Beverley Library has launched a scheme to support them with expert endorsed books available to borrow.
Reading Well for young people is a national scheme, part of the hugely successful Reading Well Books on Prescription scheme, which will provide 13-18 year-olds with high-quality information, support and advice on a wide-range of mental health issues such as anxiety, depression, eating disorders and self-harm, and difficult life pressures, like bullying and exams.
With the proportion of 15-16 year olds reporting that they frequently feel anxious or depressed having doubled in the last 30 years, there is an enormous need for quality assured mental health information and advice for young people. Co-created with a panel of young people who have had experience of mental health issues, the new Reading Well scheme helps young people to understand and manage their wellbeing and emotional resilience. The books can be recommended by GPs, school nurses, counsellors and other health professionals as well as being free to borrow from the library.
Men in Sheds – Withernsea:
The project offers a place for men mainly aged over 44 to visit to share the tools and resources they need to work on projects of their own, such as carpentry, joinery, welding, gardening, restoration, bike repairs, boat renovation etc.
The ‘Men in Sheds Withernsea’ project is a larger version of the typical man’s shed in the garden, and is a place where men can feel at home in a safe and friendly environment, whilst meeting new people, working on projects in their own time and at their own pace, whilst avoiding potential loneliness, social isolation, physical illness, disability and mental health issues. These activities could include painting and decorating, gardening, maintenance, car repairing, etc.
For more information about any of the services mentioned above, please visit the council’s website www.eastriding.gov.uk and type in the topic in the search bar.
