MIND – Starting The Conversation
The importance of Wellbeing is not new, but more than ever, it seems to be such a priority in these increasingly difficult times. Starting the conversation is key. Find out the 5 simple ways to help and useful information to support families and adults who are looking to help children and young people and start a conversation around mental health. Are you, or know someone struggling with anxiety? Are you tired of missing out?
Click here to download a PDF copy of this page.
There are things you can do to stop anxiety and fear from controlling your life.
Bucks UTC provides a supportive environment and embeds mental wellbeing in the curriculum because there are key successes connected to ensuring the safety of mental health and the onward pathways for our students to higher education. The curriculum covers the following:
- Minimising unnecessary stressful students
- Promoting understanding of awareness of mental wellbeing
- Taking account of students wellbeing
- Promoting effective learning and teaching that compliments the work support within the UTC
Bucks UTC’s Values
- Exceeding expectations
- Can-do Attitude
- Mutual respect in all that we do
- Integrity, honesty and openness
- Valuing difference
- Goal-driven
- One-team approach
A Guide for Young People and Adults
Starting the conversation around mental health can be difficult. However, we have put together some top tips to help get you started.
The 5 ways to wellbeing
The five ways to wellbeing is a an evidence based study developed many years before the COVID 19 pandemic. The Five ways to Wellbeing model was developed by New Economics Foundation.
Connect
Firstly, connect with family, friends, your community. There is strong evidence that good relationships with family, friends and the wider community are important for our wellbeing. Feeling close to people, and being valued by them, helps us to function well in the world.
Be Active
Secondly, go for a walk or a run, join a club, find a new activity. Most of us know that keeping fit and active is good for our physical health, but it’s also really good for our mental wellbeing. It can protect us against depression and can help to improve mood, sleep patterns and feelings of anxiety.
Give
Thirdly, give a smile, a hug, some time to help someone. There is good evidence that committing acts of kindness, big or small, random or planned can give us a sense of purpose and make us feel happier and more satisfied about life.
Take Notice
Fourth, take notice of the world around you, explore your local area, go out for lunch with friends. Studies have shown that being aware of what is taking place in the present can improve our mental wellbeing and that paying attention to ‘the moment’ can help us to think about the things that are important to us.
Keep Learning
Lastly, find a course, learn to play an instrument, set a challenge. Learning can boost our life satisfaction, self-confidence, self-esteem and optimism. It can also give us a sense of purpose, help us connect with others and keep our brains active and exercised.
Any more tips?
If you’ve got any more tips to share with others, please contact us and we’ll share them.
Useful Resources
Below are some examples of organisations, websites etc. that provide some extremely useful materials and resources around mental health.
CAMHS
NHS Mental Health services & training that focus on the needs of children and young people.
01865 901951
oxfordhealth.bucksCAMHSSPA@nhs.net
www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/camhs/
Switch
Switch Bucks is an alcohol and drug service for young people in Buckinghamshire.
01494 527000
switchbucks@cranstoun.org.uk
www.cranstoun.org/service/switch-bucks/
Young Carers
A service part of Carers Bucks and supports children and young people in Buckinghamshire aged 6-18 years old who have a caring role.
01494 463536
yc@carersbucks.org
: www.youngcarersbucks.org
Local Organisations For Adults
Bucks Family Information Service
A signposting service to find out what’s happening in Buckinghamshire for you and your family.
One Recovery Bucks
Supporting those affected by drugs and alcohol in Buckinghamshire.
0300 772 9672
: www.onerecoverybucks.org
Healthy Minds
This is a free NHS service offering quick and easy access to cognitive behavioural therapies, practical support and employment advice.
01865 901600
: www.oxfordhealth.nhs.uk/healthyminds
Prevention Matters
A community service that can support you in regaining your confidence, independence and getting out and about.
01296 484322
Click here to email
FACT
Bucks Families and Carers Together in Bucks. A group of parents and professionals who meet to discuss real issues that affect children
07548 095363
admin@factbucks.org.uk
: www.factbucks.org.uk
Carers Bucks
Carers Bucks exists entirely to support and promote the wellbeing of family carers.
0300 777 2722
mail@carersbucks.org
: www.carersbucks.org
Autism Bucks
This site aims to inform, guide, enable and empower adults with autism and their families.
autismbucks@buckscc.gov.uk
: www.autismbucks.org
National Organisations That Can Help
Samaritans
Offering a safe place for you to talk any time you like in your own way – about whatever’s getting to you.
116 123
jo@samaritans.org
: www.samaritans.org
PACE
PACE is London’s leading charity promoting the mental health and emotional well-being of the lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender community.
020 7700 1323
info@pacehealth.org.uk
: www.pacehealth.org.uk
Harmless
Harmless is a user led organisation that provides a range of services about self-harm including support, information, training and consultancy to people who self-harm, their friends and families and professionals.
info@harmless.org.uk
: www.harmless.org.uk
Winston’s Wish
An organisation providing professional therapeutic help in individual, group and residential settings for people in our catchment areas. They are the only specialist provider of support for children bereaved through homicide and suicide, as well as military families who have been bereaved.
08088 020 02
: www.winstonswish.org.uk
Mind
Contact Buckinghamshire Mind Aylesbury office: Ashton House 14 Granville Street Aylesbury Bucks HP20 2JR
01494 463364
info@bucksmind.org.uk
: www.bucksmind.org.uk
