Freephone helpline to support most vulnerable in Manchester
A new freephone helpline to support the most vulnerable people in Manchester during the Coronavirus pandemic will go live on from 8.30am from Monday 30 March 2020 and this will sit alongside our comprehensive online portal www.manchester.gov.uk/coronavirus where people can access up to date information immediately.

This new service will initially offer support to:

• People over the age of 70 who are self-isolating and have no support network
• People who have received a letter from the NHS advising they are at higher risk or are medically vulnerable according to government criteria
• Those who are self-isolating with no support networks (ie. friends or family).
  Help will also be available, but not limited to, other groups such as carers, care leavers or young carers.

The primary needs that call handlers can help with are:

• Delivery of food
• Delivery of medication
• Combating loneliness
• Managing fuel top-up payments

The Hub’s freephone number is: 0800 234 6123 and lines are open Monday to Saturday, between 8.30am and 5.30pm. 

The helpline is being operated by redeployed Manchester City Council staff.

Lots of us are worried about the coronavirus and struggling to cope with the changes in our lives, including young people. We’ve made a page of information and advice especially for them > https://bit.ly/39pKNjj

Manchester Mind: We need your help – Emergency Food Response

15/05/2020

Good Mood Food meets Food For All

As we mark Mental Health Awareness Week (18-24 May), we are promoting this year’s theme of “kindness” by urging the public to display their own acts of kindness, towards themselves and with one another. Meanwhile we want to highlight our own acts of kindness as a part in the city-wide community food response and ask for your help to enable us to carry out this vital work for people experiencing food poverty.

Good Mood Food, the award-winning outside catering enterprise, has been serving nutritious and vibrant food since 2005. 100% of profits are re-invested into Manchester Mind, enabling us to continue our vital work across the city, in particular supporting people facing food poverty through the Food for All project.

In 2015, Manchester Mind was the first organisation in the city to pioneer weekly Pay What You Can lunch sessions, and we are proud to say that since then our Food for All project has served over 50,000 free or heavily subsidised meals to vulnerable people in our community cafes 

Read more and find out how to support Manchester Mind: https://www.manchestermind.org/manchester-mind-manchester-kind/

Did you know 1 in 20 people might have a personality disorder? Our guide helps you to better understand personality disorders with lots of tips to help! Read, download & print the guide here, along with 12 other guides http://buzzmanchester.co.uk/information/mentalhealthguides… #MentalHealth #BuzzManchester

 

Find out more: http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/

Social prescribing in practice

GP Dr Mohan Sekeram and link worker Ray Hautot feature in two new videos, which highlight the positive impact their social prescribing service is having on patients. Working with GPs and staff at Wideway Medical Centre, Ray provides tailored support for patients who may benefit from taking part in local activities.

Since introducing social prescribing, the practice has reported fewer GP appointments and attendances at A&E while people health and wellbeing have improved.

The NHS Long Term Plan will see 1,000 social prescribing link workers in place by 2021, with more after that, helping 900,000 more people to benefit from similar schemes.

Sorted. Young People Advice Drop-in.

Events Date: Every Wednesday 2 – 4 pm | Location: Children & Young People Service (CYP), 709 Stockport Road, Levenshulme, M19 3AG

Are you 16-25? Struggling with benefits, work, housing, studies, or money worries? Have things started to affect your mental health?

Come and talk things through with one of our advisers at our weekly drop-in and we can try and help you get things sorted.

We are open every Wednesday from 2-4pm.

Find out more about our Children and Young People Services here

This month has been Men Mental Health Month.

Weve told men stories, shared tips for looking after your mental health, shared the sobering statistics and topics about mental health, shared conversations between men talking about mental health, and invited you to support our work.

Weve been working on that mission to address men specifically for several years now. In 2010 we published Grouchy Old Men â€“ a guide for services coming into contact with men over 50 to consider their mental health needs. Ever since, weve been looking for ways to engage men with the work that we do.

We have created films for Royal Mail Group and Mace Group to enable a largely male workforce to start to talk about mental health.

Through our peer support and self-management we have the opportunity to take the approach into Parc Prison â€“ an all-male environment. 120 prisoners received training on self-management.

We created a fundraising initiative Curry & Chaat specifically to get men involved in community activities.

Men mental health matters all year round! we will continue to bring together research evidence with the perspective of people with lived experience to develop programmes help prevent mental health problems – whether that is growing resilience for all men in the workplace or reaching the most vulnerable men in the country and helping them rebuild their mental health.

Exercise and relaxation for health & Wellbeing

 https://soundcloud.com/user-932076252/breathing-space-meditation

Manchester Mind resources: https://www.manchestermind.org/resources/#

GMP and NHS Launch Mental Health Support Service – A brand-new NHS service based within GMP Communications Centre will support the police to respond to mental health-related calls.

Join our yoga classes on Mon (Hulme) or Friday (Harphurhey). Free/donations. All welcome. Call Andrea 07548 023340

Manchester Mental Health Choir

Are you 18 years and over? Are you /have you previously experienced mental health difficulties? Then we invite you to join us in finding fun, friendship and a voice through song.

The Manchester Mental Health Choir will meet every Wednesday during term time. Led by Choir Master Dan McDwyer.

Our aim is to create a safe, fun and non-judgmental environment for you to make new friends, share experiences and join together as one voice. Psychology studies show us choirs have a positive impact on mental wellbeing. The new friendships remind people they are valued and belong. Singing relieves symptoms of anxiety and depression and group singing releases chemicals that make you feel happier. So put your hairbrush down and sing with us at the Bridgewater Hall everyWednesday from 7pm.

Please register your interest through Eventbrite. https://www.eventbrite.co.uk/e/manchester-mental-health-choir-tickets-42984617147?aff=eac2

If you have any questions please email info@triplec.website

All we ask is a contribution of £1 your energy and enthusiasm.

Positive Vibrations Music Project

A new local music project that has been set up by African and Caribbean Mental Health Services for people from all cultures, struggling with mental health problems such as anxiety and depression or learning difficulties and autism.

The project is called “Positive Vibrations” and is based at the Windrush Millennium Centre on Alexandra Road in Units 17 and 18.

We have group sessions throughout the week where people come along to socialise, jam and play songs. Our Tuesday session is at capacity but we have 2 other sessions that currently still have room:

Thursday 10.30am – 4.00pm

Friday 1.00pm – 4.00pm

We are also starting to develop a songwriting session on Wednesdays 2.00pm-4.00pm.

It is also possible to book time on an instrument if someone just wants to have a try or practice.

There are also volunteering opportunities for anyone with at least basic musical and/or mental health experience.

www.facebook.com/PositiveVibrationsManchester

If you would like more information, please don’t hesitate to contact me at this email address or using the details below.

Yours faithfully

Daniel Smith

Music Project Coordinator

African and Caribbean Mental Health Services

Windrush Millennium Centre        

70 Alexandra Road

Moss Side

Manchester

M16 7WD

 Tel;  0161 226-9562

Fax:  0161 226-7947

www.acmhs-blackmentalhealth.org.uk

Creative Conversations

The Creative Conversations group came out of Live Well: Make Art  – initially an 8 week pilot project – but so successful that we have continued meeting each week.

This GM led Project aim was to initiate a set of neighbourhood conversations to establish whether or not people living in a specific neighbourhood would be interested in an arts, health and social movements initiative to test how communities, arts and health practitioners can work together to reduce loneliness and social isolation and improve health and care outcomes.

See the film below for details of all of the Greater Manchester projects that were piloted as part of this initiative…

http://mentalhealthmates.co.uk/

Mental wellbeing at work
Three out of five people have experienced mental health issues due to work.
12.5 million working days were lost due to work-related stress, depression or
anxiety in 2016 and 2017.
Tight deadlines, too much responsibility and lack of managerial support are
the main factors causing work-related stress, depression or anxiety.
Samaritans are on a mission to change this. Together, we can create happier,
healthier and more productive workplaces, where employees feel supported and
where no one has to cope alone. Read the full document:

samaritans_witc_bro_a5_2018_web

Stories and experiences of mental health

It's OK to talk about mental health when you are doing something else. You might even find it easier to start a conversation. pic.twitter.com/ZNhezoac9r

— Time to Change (@TimetoChange) April 11, 2018

Anxiety Sucks

My anxiety is like a stop button.

Like a warning button.

It tells me when things are scary, when I should worry.

It not like a voice because i can’t hear it. It like a sign.

I can’t always control it, but occasionally it can be negotiated with.

I can reason with it, on good days anyway.

On bad days it doesn’t care.

I will have to deal with a stomach sinking bad feeling, also accompanied by a sick feeling and a feeling of wanting to cry or escape.

It a strong feeling. Almost like a nightmare.

When you know youre dreaming and you just want to wake up and everything to be ok.

It sometimes hard to realise that its real life because youre hoping so much that it just a dream that you can wake up from.

Anxiety can target anything, things that would be considered scary by most people – and then some things that aren’t even normally scary suddenly start becoming daunting – and even you don’t know why, things like going shopping, talking to people, leaving the house, it all becomes such a worry.

It not like a little worry, it like a full blown fear.

People constantly telling you to face it and you just wishing it was that simple.

Having to accept that it going to hang over you and having to calm your brain down by cancelling what is worrying you.

People thinking that you’re just making a big fuss out of nothing when in reality they can’t even being to imagine the panic response is giving off.

Better yet talking about it seems impossible because even when people say they understand they still want you to do whatever is scaring you and something inside of you is stopping you and so you get angry, you’re so done with being sad or scared, you just feel anger, frustration and hurt, hurt because all you want is a hug and someone to reassure you but really they get mad.

Raise their voice. Get frustrated, Say ‘why can’t you just do it?’

because it’s hard that’s why.

It may seem easy for you but hey try living like me, when everything is scary, the only place I feel calm is my home and even the thought of leaving it almost scares me enough to bring me to tears, feeling sick, feeling horrible, and feeling like a disappointment, all because this stupid mental illness won’t leave me alone.

( Written by a 17 year old)

Read more: https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/your-stories/ocd-and-me/#.Whdw8Upl-M9

Struggling to work because of mental health?

If your work is being affected by depression, anxiety, stress or other mental health issues then we can help you. We offer a free and confidential Mental Health Support Service available to anyone with a mental health condition who is absent from work or finding work difficult. It is aimed at helping people to remain in, or return to, their role.

Chris, a high profile Assistant Director of Operations for a housing association suffered a nervous breakdown which meant that his work suffered. Working with Remploy meant that he was able to return to the workplace with his Employer being better informed and able to support him. Watch his video.

Read more at: http://www.remploy.co.uk/info/20137/partners_and_programmes/227/workplace_mental_health_support_service

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Four young men in a barbershop have to face their own truth. What’s your truth? Watch #mytruth now>

All men and boys – particularly those in the most disadvantaged areas and communities – will have the information, services and treatments they need to live healthier, longer and more fulfilling lives.

https://www.menshealthforum.org.uk/mhw

Helplines, coping strategies and Media

Mental Health in Manchester (MHIM) is a site for Manchester people who want to know more about how to look after their emotional health and wellbeing.

Have you seen these fantastic self-help guides?

Sleep Well January 2016

5 Ways to Wellbeing January 2016

Distress to De-Stress January 2016

Visit the website for more information and support: http://www.mhim.org.uk/

Manchester Suicide Prevention Partnership

In Manchester, a suicide prevention partnership has been formed to tackle and progress the suicide prevention agenda at a local level. It has agreed that:

• We all have a role to play in prevention, it is everyone’s business
• One suicide is too many
• Suicidal thoughts are common, this is perfectly normal
• Building strong, resilient communities is a powerful antidote to suicide
• Talking about suicide actively tackles stigma
• There is help available in Manchester

Help In Manchester

If you or someone you are caring for needs help then you can contact your GP for an emergency appointment or visit you local Accident and Emergency Department.

A guide to tackling suicidal thoughts is available here.

For non urgent support in Manchester visit the Mental Health in Manchester (MHIM)  website for further details of services in the city.

Helplines:

• Samaritans: 116 123
• Saneline: 0300 304 7000

Moodswings is an award winning Manchester based Charity founded in 1999 to help people recover from mood problems and the severe emotional distress they can cause.

Mood problems can range from periods of severe anxiety or depression to episodes of high and low mood. The effects on education, employment, relationships and family life can be devastating.

The work of the Charity is based on a belief that people can recover from severe mood problems and move on to lead happier and fuller lives.

From its centre in Manchester, Moodswings reaches out across the north west and beyond with a message of real hope and optimism for individuals and their families and friends.

Our evidence-based, down to earth approach is reflected in the range of innovative services we provide.

Read more at: http://www.moodswings.org.uk/

Buzz Health & Wellbeing Service for people and communities in Manchester.

https://buzzmanchester.co.uk/

free online support for young people

Get real time help with friendly, qualified counsellors.

Free. Safe. Anonymous.

https://www.kooth.com/index.php

The Horsfall is an exciting new venue and programme of activity building on 42nd Street trusted and innovative approach to improving young people mental health.

Serious illness can be a tricky thing to explain to children at the best of times. While it relatively easy for them to understand physical pain or injury, how do you explain mental illness to children?

At the end of 2013 my husband was diagnosed with bipolar disorder and severe anxiety. Wed been together for more than eleven years and had two children: a daughter then aged four and a half, and a son who was about to turn two. The diagnosis was a surprise to both of us; although hed had occasional periods of depression, he was generally a happy and enthusiastic man who took care of me when my own mental health wasnt great. (I have cyclothymia and suffered with severe post-natal depression after the births of both children; thanks to medication and an outstanding GP Im well these days).

It soon became clear that not only was the diagnosis correct but that it was long overdue. What my husband and I had innocently thought were long periods of normality interspersed with depression turned out to be periods of hypomania interspersed with depression. It was all so obvious once we knew what to look for.

Bipolar disorder can be hard to live with, both for the person with it and their family. Previously known as manic depression it causes the individual mood to swing unpredictably between highs and lows. The highs are known as mania and are often characterised by very energetic behaviour, enthusiasm, and sometimes impatience.

The lows of course are depression and cause feelings of sadness, worthlessness, worry and extreme tiredness. While medication and psychiatric support can lessen the effects (so the highs are less high, the lows arent so low and hopefully the periods in between are longer!) it still a difficult illness to live with. The anxiety doesnt help; my husband often feels uncomfortable in crowds or social situations, and rarely leaves the flat without me.

Dont get me wrong – my husband is a kind, loving man and a fantastic father. But mental illness isnt something that easy to talk about in our society. There a stigma attached to it that simply isnt there where physical ailments are concerned, and this can isolate not just the person with the illness but also their family. My husband and I used to be very open about our health issues; until, that is, a friend who hadnt seen us since before the children were born reported us to the NSPCC as unfit parents, solely because we both have a mental health diagnosis. Naturally Children Services investigated and cleared us fully, but for a long time we felt unable to talk to anyone outside the NHS or our immediate family.

Now that our children are older (theyre 6 and 3.5) theyre more aware that their dad isnt like other dads and have begun asking questions. Why is Daddy sad? Why is Daddy still asleep? Why does Daddy have so many headaches? Weve discussed these and many more questions several times now, and Id like to share several key things to remember when explaining mental illness to children.

First of all, keep it simple and age-appropriate. This may seem obvious but it surprisingly difficult! When talking to our six year old weve explained that part of Daddy brain doesnt work properly, and so sometimes he gets sad or cross even if he doesnt want to be. Our three year old understands that sometimes Daddy has sad days when he sleeps a lot. They both understand that Daddy takes special medicine to help his brain work better.

Be honest. You dont have to be explicit or even detailed about the illness and its effects, but do tell the truth (again, in an age-appropriate way). Children are very good at detecting when an adult is covering something up, and they need to know that you will be open and honest with them.

Reassure them that the illness isnt their fault. For young children especially, the world revolves around them and the way that adults behave is, in their mind, directly related to their behaviour and feelings. Explain that they are not responsible for how the person with the illness feels or behaves.

Make sure that the child understands that it not their job to look after the ill person either. There a very fine line between a child being aware and understanding of an adult illness, and trying to protect and care for them. Ive made it very clear to our children that looking after Daddy is my job, not theirs. That not to say that they cant be considerate (no bouncing on Daddy when he having a sad day!) but you need to be firm that their only job is to be a child.

Can Daddy brain be fixed? This is the question I find the hardest to answer. Sometimes mental illness is curable and sometimes it merely manageable; bipolar disorder falls into the latter category. Again, be honest: if it possible that the person will recover, say so but explain that it may take time. If the illness is only manageable, explain that too but try to emphasise that that ok.

Let the child know that youre always there for them to talk to and that they can always ask questions. If the person with the illness agrees, remind the child they they can talk to them as well. As the child gets older they will think of more questions and be able to understand more, so be prepared to have conversations about mental illness every now and again.

If your child attends school, consider making their teacher or keyworker aware of their relationship with the ill person. When my husband has a prolonged period of depression our daughter feels it keenly, and if she should become upset or behave out of character at school it reassuring to know that an adult there will understand why and be able to help her.

Above all, be calm, honest and reassuring, and then carry on as normal.

Welcome to Students Against Depression

Are you or someone you care about feeling persistently sad, low, anxious or empty? Depression is more common than you might think – 1 in 10 people will experience depression and/or anxiety in any one year.

Students Against Depression offers information and resources validated by health professionals alongside tips and advice from students who have experienced it all themselves.

You are not alone and we are here for you. Download our resources, customise our self help plans, share your own story and join us in fighting student depression.

Students Against Depression offers comprehensive, award-winning information and resources to help you identify low mood or depression and then find a way forward.

Visit the website to find out more: http://studentsagainstdepression.org/

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 Returning to work after mental health issues

Read more: http://www.nhs.uk/Livewell/mentalhealth/Pages/returning-to-work-mental-health.aspx?platform=hootsuite

Get the free Mental Health & Debt guide

This is a free 44-page PDF booklet supported by Mind, Rethink, CAPUK and others, for people with mental health problems and those caring for them.

It covers how to handle debts when unwell, work with banks, free debt counselling, specific tips for bipolar disorder or depression sufferers, whether to declare a condition and more.

mentalhealthguide

 http://www.moneysavingexpert.com/credit-cards/mental-health-guide 

Urgent Help

IN AN EMERGENCY:

– Contact your General Practitioner (GP)

– Call your nearest NHS Walk-In Centre or go to Accident & Emergency (A&E) at your local hospital. Click here to find your nearest walk-in centre online

YOU CAN ALSO CONTACT THESE ORGANISATIONS FOR SUPPORT

Mind Infoline Deaf people can access this service by dialing 18001 before the telephone number. Monday to Friday: 9.15am to 5.15pm. 0845 766 0163 | info@mind.org.uk | Click here to visit the Mind website.

The Sanctuary Overnight, every night service providing a place of safety and support to adults feeling at crisis point and living with difficulties such as panic attacks, depression and low mood. 8pm-6am. 0161 637 0808 | Click here to visit their website.

Crisis Point Helping people with diverse needs to resolve their current crisis and develop strategies to prevent or better manage future crises. Open-access mental health crisis centre. Bespoke crisis management support. 0161 225 9500 | Click here to visit their website.

Rethink Deaf people can access this service by dialing 18001 before the telephone number. Monday, Wednesday, Friday: 10am to 3pm | Tuesday & Thursday: 10am to 1pm. 020 8974 6814 | advice@rethink.org

SANEline For anyone affected by mental illness (service users, their families, carers, health professionals). Deaf people can access this service by dialing 18001 before the telephone number. Mon-Fri: 12noon to 11pm | Sat-Sun: 12noon to 6pm 0845 767 8000

Samaritans 24-hour confidential emotional support. 08457 90 90 90 | jo@samaritans.org

Introduction: the scale of the challenge

THE MANIFESTO

• Face up to reality
• Invest in research
• Focus on prevention – no let-up on big killers 
• Dont wait for men to engage – especially on mental health
• Design targeted programmes around the needs and attitudes of the highest risk men & boys
• Tailored health awareness and literacy, especially amongst boys
• Organisational focus across the whole health system

OUR CHALLENGES

• Our Challenges to NHS England
• Our Challenges to GPs
• Our Challenges to Public Health England
• Our Challenges to Local health systems
• Our Challenges to Men

References
Download a PDF of the manifesto (PDF, 263kb)
Sign up to support the Manifesto

DON’T WAIT FOR MEN TO ENGAGE – ESPECIALLY ON MENTAL HEALTH

Community Services

Community Services are the foundation of Self Help providing community based self help initiatives.

Drop-in Groups

These Drop-in Groups are available for anyone living with conditions related to each group.

Unless otherwise stated our Drop-in Groups are funded by Manchester CCG

 ZION ANXIETY GROUP

This group runs every Wednesday 1-3pm.
Venue: Zion Centre, 339 Stretford Rd, Hulme, Manchester M15 4ZY.

ZION DEPRESSION GROUP

This group runs every Wednesday 3-5pm. Venue: Zion Centre, 339 Stretford Rd, Hulme, Manchester M15 4ZY

CHORLTON ANXIETY GROUP

This group runs every Tuesday 7-9pm
Venue: Chorlton Methodist Church, Manchester Road, Chorlton, Manchester   M21 9JG.

MANCHESTER SOCIAL PHOBIA GROUP
This group runs every Tuesday 7-9pm.
Venue: Kath Locke Centre, 123 Moss Lane West, Moss Side, Manchester M15 5DD.

HARPURHEY DEPRESSION GROUP

This group runs every Thursday 1-3pm.
Venue: North City Library, Rochdale Road, Harpurhey, Manchester M9 4AF.

WYTHENSHAWE ANXIETY GROUP

This group runs every Saturday 10am-12pm .
Venue: Macmillan Room, Wythenshawe Forum Library, Forum Square, Wythenshawe, Manchester M22 5RX.

Please contact the Community Services Team for more details: communityservices@selfhelpservices.org.uk or 0161 226 3871.

URMSTON DEPRESSION GROUP

This group runs every Tuesday 1.30-3.30pm.
Venue: Urmston Library, Unit 34, Golden Way, Urmston, Manchester M41 0NA.

This service is currently funded by Trafford CCG.

ALTRINCHAM ANXIETY GROUP

This group runs every Monday 1-3pm.
Venue: St George Parish Church, Church Way, Altrincham WA14 4DW

This service is currently funded by Trafford CCG.

OPENSHAW WELLBEING GROUP

This group is held on alternate Fridays 1-3pm.

Venue: The New Roundhouse, 1328 Ashton Old Road, Openshaw, Manchester M11 1JG.

This group is funded by Manchester Settlement.

Courses

BOOST: EMOTIONAL RESILIENCE COURSE   

The BOOST: Emotional Resilience Course is a 6-week structured course which helps people to cope better with life ups and downs and respond to challenging situations positively.  The course is aimed at individuals who are experiencing a range of life issues such as anxiety or low mood, loss, relationships issues, work stress and carer responsibilities.  The course gives participants the opportunity to meet and talk together in a mutually supportive atmosphere and build strategies to improve their resilience, confidence and general wellbeing.

Please see our website for updated course times and venues or contact the Community Services Team atcommunityservices@selfhelpservices.org.uk  or 0161 226 3871 for more details.

Personality Disorder Project

Personality Disorder Multi-Agency Development Service

Funded by Salford NHS CCG to raise awareness of Personality Disorder this projects aims to create a multi-agency network by holding regular forum meetings to discuss and highlight gaps in this field, to share good practice and work together to improve the experience of people suffering from Personality Disorder accessing services in Salford.

The project also works with agencies across Salford by delivering awareness training. If you work in Salford, or with clients who live in Salford, then you can access the Personality Disorder Awareness training.

For more information on the training provided by this project or when the next training sessions are please contactnina.bradshaw@selfhelpservices.org.uk

Peer to Peer Service

Our new Peer to Peer service provides an innovative new dimension to our Community Services provision.  Building on the success of our After Therapy service, the Peer to Peer service promotes the culture and practice of Peer experts who have gained experience of mental health difficulties and the steps that are necessary to create a successful recovery, through direct first hand experience.

Referral information

The Peer to Peer service is suitable for individuals who are experiencing common mental health problems such as anxiety and depression.  It can also be useful for the following situations:

–      People who are dont engage well with more clinical types of mental health services.

–      People who are considering accessing some sort of therapeutic or wellbeing help and want support and guidance around the range of options to help improve their mental health.

–      People who are leaving therapy and want some “after therapy” support to continue the recovery work that they have started.

–      People who are currently accessing therapeutic intervention and need more support to build their recovery package.

This service is not suitable for people presenting with a high level of risk.

Our service might also be unsuitable for individuals presenting with more severe and enduring / complex conditions of mental distress.  A general guideline that we ask referrers to consider is “is this person likely to achieve change/improvement by working towards wellbeing goals with a volunteer peer mentor over a period of six months”.

Home Connect

Home Connect is designed for people who are new to Self Help and who are making initial enquiries into our services on the phone.   Peer to Peer volunteers (in pairs) can arrange to visit an individual at home, or at a nearby community location to discuss what services we have to help them and what other support is available in the local community.  They can help individuals where appropriate to complete referral forms and can accompany people to first appointments or engagements with drop in groups and other services.

Peer to Peer Mentors

For up to six months, regular sessions through meetings or phone support can be arranged with our Peer Mentors, experts by experience in wellbeing and recovery, for individuals experiencing a range of mental health difficulties. This service provides a real bridge to healthy interdependent wellbeing based on real firsthand experience of what has worked in the lives of fellow recovering peers.

Location: Peer Mentoring is available at a variety of venues in Manchester, Salford and Trafford.  Please note that we unfortunately do not cover Stockport, Oldham, Bolton or any areas outside of Greater Manchester.

Recovery Workshops

Our team of Peer to Peer experts provide a comprehensive overview of the essential steps for a successful recovery from mental ill health. Taking a radical break from the clinical focus of traditional services and placing greater emphasis on shared learning, healthy community, experts by experience and the healing power of the peer relationship, these workshops help participants make the successful journey from stuck, to recovering, to thriving!
This service is available across Greater Manchester.

For more information on any of our Peer to Peer services please contact phil.girling@selfhelpservices.org.uk orkate.jolley@selfhelpservices.org.uk or telephone 0161 226 3871

The Peer to Peer service has been created with help from The Big Lottery Reaching Communities funding programme.

Welcome to Manchester Mind

Please note that our main number has now changed to 0161 769 5732.

Manchester Mind is in independent local mental health charity which delivers services to young people and adults. Our vision is of a city that promotes good mental health and treats people with mental health problems positively, fairly and with respect.

We are committed to improving the lives of people with mental health needs. We promote the health and wellbeing of people affected by mental distress and take a positive approach to mental health, challenging stereotypes and discrimination.

We listen to and respect people who use our services, value their experiences and place them at the centre of service delivery and development. We enable people with mental health needs to improve their health and wellbeing to reach their full potential. We work with people so they can live more successfully in their communities. Above all, we aim to create a positive future for people who use our services or volunteer. http://www.manchestermind.org/index.php

What is resilience?
Building a Healthy Future is a course devised to help people improve their mental health and to develop resilience. All of us will experience difficult times in our lives. How we respond to those has a big impact on our wellbeing. While we cant choose what happens to us, we can choose in how we respond to challenging, stressful or negative events. It not always easy, and may not come naturally, but we can learn to change our mindset. Research shows that resilience isn’t a rare quality found in a few, extraordinary people and that resilience – like other life skills – can be learned.

Read more:

https://www.whalleyrange.org/?p=3582

Mental wellbeing “a dynamic state in which the individual is able to develop their potential, work productively and creatively, build strong and positive relationships with others and contribute to their community. It is enhanced when an individual is able to fulfil their personal and social goals and achieve a sense of purpose in society” Or “Feeling good and functioning well”

CCounselling_CDI(Ur)2015

Community Counselling Service Referral Form

WRAP: This is an American website but contains loads of useful information: http://mentalhealthrecovery.com/wrap-is/

All about us!

Read more: http://goodmoodfood.org/

Old Trafford Wellbeing Centre 

Old Trafford Wellbeing Centre is a community wellbeing hub run by and for the benefit of local residents with support from blueSCI a not for profit social enterprise which supports people who may be experiencing emotional or psychological distress.  The aim of the centre is to support local individuals and families to achieve their goals and improve their health and wellbeing through the 5 Ways to Wellbeing;
http://oldtraffordwellbeing.org.uk/about-us/

The African and Caribbean Mental Health Services (ACMHS) is a community organisation based in Central Manchester providing free, confidential, sensitive and culturally appropriate services to African and African Caribbean people suffering from mental ill health.

The organisation was established in October 1989 and provides services across economic and socially disadvantaged areas within Manchester for people in hospitals or the community experiencing mild to moderate and enduring mental health conditions, for example, schizophrenia, bipolar disorders and common mental health issues.

Find out more: http://acmhs.squarespace.com/

Relaxation for children

(http://www.moodcafe.co.uk/for-children-and-young-people/relaxation-for-children.aspx)

Relaxation Exercises for Children

Relaxation exercises help children to manage their reactions to stress, anxiety and worry. Relaxation exercises are a good distraction from worrying thoughts and reduce tension in the body. The exercises here include controlled breathing, muscle relaxation and guided imagery.

Controlled Breathing and Muscle Relaxation

Long, deep controlled breaths slow down the breathing rate and help children to relax. Muscle relaxation involves practicing tensing and relaxing different muscles in the body. This helps children to recognise the difference between tense and relaxed muscles.

Relax like a cat is a colourful leaflet for younger children to practice controlled breathing and muscle relaxation. It is best to sit down and read it with your child at a quiet time of day when there are no worries or stresses. Or, your child can listen to the audio version. There is a female voice and a male voice to suit your child’s preference.

Guided imagery

Children can close their eyes and listen to a voice guiding them through a soothing and calm imaginary scene. Children can also make up their own soothing image. For example, this could be a favourite place that makes them feel calm. Ask your child for details (e.g. what they can see, hear or smell) so you create the image together.

Practising

Practising relaxation exercises daily helps children learn how to relax and calm themselves. To begin with, it is best to practise when there is no distress. Encourage your child to practise at least once a day and when there is little chance of interruption or distraction. Once they have learned the exercises, they can be encouraged to use the techniques when they are feeling stressed or anxious.

Older children and teenagers will also benefit from doing regular relaxation.