Mental health – resources for all
It can be difficult to maintain good mental health in the face of everyday hassles. It is common for people to worry about their situations or experience low mood or sometimes experience more severe symptoms that require specialist help.
Manchester Safeguarding Boards take the issue of mental health seriously and work to raise awareness of the nature of mental illness, the impact it can have on adults, children and families and what support is available in Manchester.
It is important to acknowledge that people can experience poor mental health for a range of reasons and that other factors are often inter-related – like poverty, domestic abuse and substance misuse.
What if you are concerned about someone’s mental health?
In the first instance you should encourage them to approach their GP for help and advice. However, in an emergency you should phone 999.
See also our Suicide and Self Harm by children & young people – advice for practitioners & parents resource.
Help and advice about mental health
For more information about low mood and well being visit the NHS website at www.nhs.uk/stress-anxiety-depression/
Time to Change is England’s biggest programme to challenge mental health stigma and discrimination. Visit their website at www.time-to-change.org.uk/ for support and resources.
The Mental Health Foundation aim to deliver change and help empower people to make real changes in their lives. Their Mental Health A-Z guide ‘How to look after your mental health’ can be found on their website at www.mentalhealth.org.uk/
The charity Mind provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. Mind also campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding. Visit their website at  www.mind.org.uk/
A really useful article “How Dogs Can Help with Mental Health – Mind Boosting Benefits of Dog Ownership” provides information on the incredible benefits of dog ownership. Find the guidance at www.dogowner.co.uk/dogs-mental-health/
Resources for schools
The emotional wellbeing of children is just as important as their physical health, mental health isn’t just an issue one week of the year; its all year round.
Help and advice for parents
It is thought that thousands of children and young people in the UK are impacted by self-harm each year, with countless others likely to be suffering in silence.
To help parents understand the scale of self-harm and raise awareness of the issue, the Safeguarding Children e-Academy have created a free resource pack which can be found at www.safeguardingchildrenea.co.uk/self-harm-free-resource-pack/
They have also worked with SelfharmUK to create a free online course designed to help parents to talk to their children about self-harm. Visit the Selfharm UK website at www.selfharm.co.uk to find out more.
Parents can take the free online course by registering at www.safeguardingchildrenea.co.uk/self-harm-free-online-course/
GMMH Recovery Academy
All of the courses focus on supporting people with their recovery and promote good health and wellbeing. The courses are useful for anyone looking to increase their knowledge and understanding of mental health, improve their mental wellbeing, or simply wanting to meet new people while learning something new.
The courses are co-written and co-delivered by professionals and people with mental health or substance misuse problems in order to recognise with equal importance both professional expertise and lived experience and promote our philosophy of shared learning.
Who can attend?
The Recovery Academy offers courses to:
- anyone who is experiencing mental health or substance misuse problems
- their supporters (family, friends and loved ones)
- Trust staff, volunteers and students on placement
- Health Care Professionals.
All courses are free, but you need to register and sign their Student Charter before attending.
What sorts of courses are available?
The range of courses available each term will vary as the Academy responds to the demands of its students. Courses currently on offer come under one of eight categories:
- Lived Experience
- Psychological Therapies and Recovery
- Physical Well-being
- Spirituality and Recovery
- Creativity and Recovery
- Taking Back Control
- Developing Knowledge and Life Skills and
- Getting Involved with the Academy.
Courses are held in a range of venues, from community centres and hospitals to learning centres and theatres in locations across Greater Manchester.
How to register and book on a course
Visit the GMMH website at www.gmmh.nhs.uk/recovery for full details and links to book on one of the courses. You will be asked to complete a student registration form which will ask for your name, background, contact details and any specific requirements in relation to the support you may need.
For more information, advice or support, email recoveryacademy@gmmh.nhs.uk or call on 0161 358 1771. The Academy is also interested in hearing from people who would like to get involved in co-producing and delivering a course.
The Recovery Academy alternatives is a directory of similar courses run by GMMH and third sector organisations and can be viewed at www.gmmh.nhs.uk/recovery-academy-alternatives
Policy and procedures
The MSB has adopted the relevant sections of the GMSP procedures. This practice guidance aims to assist all agencies working with children, with adults who are parents/carers or with pregnant women and their partners in identifying situations where action is needed to safeguard a child or promote their welfare as a result of the adult’s mental ill health.
