May 2023 Newsletter
May 2023 Newsletter
Welcome to the Teenage Mental Health May newsletter, filled with news information and helpful advice to help you help those around you. This month we are thinking about the impact of physical health on our mental wellbeing as well as how exercise can impact our overall sense of wellbeing.
Just in case you don’t know who we are Teenage Mental Health is a not-for-profit mental health provision providing in person talking therapies to anyone in mental health distress. We specialise in child and adolescent care with therapists in our team that work with adults, families and couples.
What do people say about us
What do you feel works well at TMH?
“The initial assessment allowed me to be paired with a therapist who has had similar experiences, and is a perfect fit”
“Responds quickly to phone calls when needing help”
Would you recommend TMH to others?
“Yes, because the service and staff are welcoming, my son has had the best experience talking through is issues, thank you!”
“It is a valuable place when child mental health services are so difficult to access”
(Taken from feedback forms of patients past and present anonymously)
So for quick caring and professional counselling support for you or your child, get in touch through our website www.teenagementalhealth.co.uk or call our helpful reception team on 01473 411324.
Walking To School
This month’s newsletter is encouraging readers to think about the impact of exercise on our mental health, the best way to increase our ability to regularly fit exercise into our daily lives to find ways that can easily become part of our daily routine, such as walking the children to school. Walking to school is a simple,yet effective way to improve parent-child relationships and a child's emotional well-being.
In today's fast-paced world, many families find themselves rushing to get out the door in the morning and may not have the time to connect with each other before the start of the day. However, walking to school together can provide an opportunity for families to spend quality time together and strengthen their relationships.
Walking to school also has numerous benefits for a child's emotional well-being. For starters, it is an excellent form of exercise that can help children to release pent-up energy, reduce stress and promote a sense of calm before the start of the school day. Additionally, walking to school provides children with the opportunity to explore their environment, which can help to improve their cognitive development, creativity, and problem-solving skills.
Furthermore, walking to school promotes independence and self-confidence in children. It allows them to navigate their environment, make decisions and feel a sense of accomplishment. It also encourages them to be more aware of their surroundings,and to be more responsible for their own safety.
Walking to school also helps children to develop social skills, as they interact with their peers and learn to navigate social situations. It is an excellent opportunity for children to develop their social skills and build friendships.
Moreover, walking to school can also be an opportunity for families to discuss important topics and share their thoughts, feelings and concerns with each other. It can provide a relaxed setting for parents to discuss schoolwork, friends and other issues that may be on their child's mind.
In conclusion, walking to school is a simple yet effective way to improve parent-child relationships and a child's emotional well-being. It provides an opportunity for families to spend quality time together, promotes physical and cognitive development, helps children to develop independence and social skills and provides a relaxed setting for parents to discuss important topics with their children. Encourage your children to walk to school, and you'll be surprised at the benefits that it brings.
Book Suggestion:
The Red Tree by Shaun Tan.
The perfect blend of words and pictures, this is a wonderful book to share with anyone suffering from depression or uncertainty.
Top tip:
Track gratitude and achievement with a journal. Include 3 things that you were grateful for and 3 things that you were able to accomplish every day.
Mental health statistic:
According to NHS digital One in four 17 to 19 year olds in England had a probable mental disorder in 2022 – an increase from one in six in 2021. A worrying figure indeed.
If you are worried about a young person you know who is struggling with their mental health make sure that you signpost them to your local NHS mental health services or give us a call and we will do our level best to point you and them in the right direction
Fun Fact:
There is no hope for people with mental health problems. Once a friend or family member develops mental health problems, he or she will never recover. NO
Fact: Studies show that people with mental health problems get better and many recover completely.
Recovery refers to the process in which people are able to live, work, learn, and participate fully in their communities. There are more treatments, services, and community support systems than ever before,and they work.
ASK a therapist:
Please reply to our newsletter to hello@teenagmentalhealth.co.uk to ask your question for our clinical team, we will select questions to answer anonymously in our mid-month newsletter.
Exercise and General Mental Health
· Exercise is one of the most effective ways to improve mental health. Research has shown that regular exercise can have a positive impact on a wide range of mental health conditions, including depression, anxiety, and stress.
· One of the main benefits of exercise is that it releases endorphins, chemicals that naturally boost mood and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. Additionally, exercise can help to improve sleep, which is essential for maintaining good mental health.
· Exercise can also help to improve self-esteem and body image, which can have a positive impact on mental health. When people feel good about their bodies, they're more likely to feel good about themselves overall.
· Exercise can also help to reduce symptoms of depression. Research has shown that regular exercise can be as effective as medication in treating mild to moderate depression. Additionally, the combination of exercise and medication can be even more effective intreating depression than medication alone.
· Exercise can also help to reduce stress levels. When people are under stress, their bodies release a hormone called cortisol. Regular exercise can help to reduce the amount of cortisol in the body, which can help to reduce feelings of stress and anxiety.
· In addition to these benefits, regular exercise can also improve cognitive function and brain health. It can also improve overall physical health, which can have a positive impact on mental well-being.
In conclusion, regular exercise is an essential step in promoting good mental health. It can help to reduce symptoms of depression,anxiety and stress, improve self-esteem and body image, and improve overall physical health. Make sure to incorporate regular exercise into your daily routine, and you'll be on your way to a healthier and happier mind.
A healthy view of body image; having been mentioned above, we felt it would be responsible to say that having a positive body image and seeking good physical health are both aspects of overall well-being. But it's essential to recognize that everyone's body is unique, and health looks different for each person.
Rather than focusing on external factors like appearance, prioritize self-care practices that make you feel good, such as regular exercise, nutritious food, and enough rest. Cultivate a positive mindset by reframing negative self-talk into affirmations and celebrating small achievements.
Remember that health is a journey, not a destination, and it's okay to make mistakes and learn from them. Embrace your body and appreciate all that it does for you, rather than criticizing it for not meeting societal standards. By prioritizing self-care and adopting a positive mindset, you can achieve a healthy balance between body image and health expectations when working towards or maintaining more positive mental health.
But We Understand…
It's no secret that mental health support services are often stretched thin due to high demand, making it a struggle for many individuals to access the help they need. This can be frustrating and disheartening and even exhausting but it's crucial not to give up seeking support.
Mental health is just as important as physical health, and it's important to prioritize taking care of yourself. There are resources available that can help, after Covid online support groups,helplines, and mental health websites are easily found and more accessible. But in person services are also out there, and are not going to be adequately replaced by online or remote options for many. Even though many in person services are working with waiting lists or lengthy assessment processes, not all options do or take forever for some needs for meaningful work to begin.
If you or your child are struggling with mental health issues, don't hesitate to reach out to www.teenagementalhealth.co.uk. We understand the challenges you may be facing and will always assist as best possible or signpost you to other resources if necessary that hopefully are appropriatefor you. Our service is dedicated to providing mental health support and advice specifically for all, and we believe that every young person deserves to have access to the help they need.
Seeking help is a sign of strength, and there is no shame in asking for support when you need it. You are not alone, we will help in some way, shape or form!
Best Wishes
From everyone at TMH, working hard towards improving mental health support for everyone.
Thank you for reading
