With the arrival of Mental Health Day, myCare wants to take the time to acknowledge the importance and impact mental health can have on our lives. Whether you live with depression, anxiety or any other mental health condition, it is important to know that you are cared for no matter what.
With this article, we want to help raise awareness for mental health and give some tips to help you navigate your mental health.
For personalised advice, contact our team at myCare today.
Why Mental Health Matters
Mental Health can have a huge impact on our daily lives. It can affect our emotional well-being, resulting in a struggle to connect or navigate difficult situations.
Likewise, poor mental health can physically affect us. It can significantly reduce our appetites and impact our sleep, making it harder for us to complete tasks or enjoy new experiences. This can have long-term effects, as people who live with severe mental health disorders can have a reduced life expectancy of up to 15 to 20 years.
Struggling to balance our mental health and our commitments is also an incredibly common issue. According to the Scottish Health Survey, one in three people in Scotland are affected by mental health problems in any year. Poor mental health can affect anyone, especially isolated people and those dealing with intense pressure or health concerns.
Because of its prevalence as well as its impact on our minds and bodies, it is incredibly important to treat your mental health with care.
Mental Health for You and Your Loved One
Coping with poor mental health can be difficult. It can affect your ability to enjoy what you love as well as prevent you from seeking support. If you or your loved one are struggling with mental health, here are some tips and daily habits that may help.
Top Mental Health Tips
- Open Communication: Encourage honest conversations about feelings and struggles. Active listening without judgment helps build trust and understanding.
- Set Goals: Help your loved one set small, achievable goals. This could be something simple like reading a chapter of a book or completing a household chore.
- Set Boundaries: Clearly define work and caregiving limits to prevent burnout. Allow yourself to say no when needed.
- Healthy Eating: Maintain a balanced diet with nutritious foods to support physical and mental health. Avoid relying on convenience foods that may be less healthy.
- Stay Active: Engage in regular physical activity, whether it’s a walk, a workout, or a favourite sport, to boost your mood and energy levels.
Five Daily Habits to Improve Your Mental Health
- Routine Check-Ins: Regularly ask about your loved one’s feelings and concerns to stay connected and supportive.
- Mindfulness Practices: Incorporate mindfulness or relaxation techniques into your morning routine. Deep breathing or meditation can help manage stress.
- Celebrate Small Wins: Acknowledge and celebrate small achievements to build confidence and motivation.
- Journaling: Encourage journaling to express thoughts and track progress. It can be therapeutic and revealing.
- Seek Support: Connect with family and friends by sending a message a day to share experiences and receive emotional support.
Where to Get Help
While managing your own and your loved one’s daily habits can help your mental health, it can still often feel overwhelming. Being able to seek professional support can go a long way to helping your mental health recover.
Here, we’ll list several different resources and services you can use to get the right support.
NHS Inform
The NHS, National Health Service, Inform is a compilation of resources provided to help you navigate mental health concerns. They are also contactable 24/7 to provide urgent mental or emotional support.
Scottish Action for Mental Health
Scottish Action for Mental Health, SAMH, is Scotland’s national mental health charity. They have been active since 1923 and provide resources for managing, supporting or dealing with mental health issues.
Breathing Space
Breathing Space is a call service, where they provide a listening ear to your concerns and issues as well as advice and guidance for moving forward. If you need advice or support and you are not sure where to turn, they can be contacted through phone or webchat.
Mental Health and Money Advice
Mental Health and Money Advice are an organisation with resources to help navigate finances. This site provides a mental health and money toolkit to help guide you.
Citizens Advice Scotland
Citizens Advice Scotland is an organisation that provides information and resources about where you can get help. These resources can be used for many issues, including mental health.
If you or your loved one are experiencing mental health issues, contact or explore these resources and services.
Mental Health Support at myCare
At myCare, we want to ensure our care workers and service users have the support they need to manage their mental health. This is why we offer our team EAP, Employee Assistance Program, support for personal and professional issues. This includes counselling, mental health support, financial guidance and more.
By offering these services to support our team, we can ensure our clients are receiving the best care possible.
How Care Can Help You
A care worker can help to support you and your loved one’s mental health by providing emotional reassurance. They can help maintain a familiar environment as well as provide much-needed companionship.
In 2022, 43% of adults reported feeling lonely some or all of the time. Being able to combat these feelings of isolation and loneliness can go a long way to improving your loved one’s mental health.
Likewise, a care worker can help manage daily tasks to reduce stress. They can provide access to mental health resources, and monitor well-being for early intervention.
Additionally, care workers bridge communication between individuals and healthcare providers. This ensures that mental health needs are addressed.
With their comprehensive and attentive care, you and your loved one can relax and focus on recovery.
Get the Support You Need Today
Whether mental health has been a long-term concern or just started to affect you, getting the right support can go a long way. If you or your loved one need additional care at home, reach out to our team today.
At myCare, we put your needs first. Our team is dedicated to providing the care you need when you need it.
