My Mental Wellness Blog

Its been something i have wanted to do for a while, create a calendar to list free local events such as fetes, festivals, webinars, courses, conferences, anything which is free and either hosted by or is attended by a Mental Health or Wellbeing service. And now its here. You have the facility to add services based on area, and, if the event is being hosted by a known service, which covers several areas, then you have the option to include all or some of those areas.

Because of how it works, anybody can add an event, for any service provider, but I will have to verify and publish the event before its seen publicly. In the future, i plan to change that so the host of the event, or the service provider attending the event will have to confirm the contact details are correct by validating their contact details. this will also give the option to remove or edit the event details, but the fact its there, ready to run, im so excited about it.

The potential is huge... so, if you are aware of any free events being held locally or even nationally, feel free to add it. If there are important details you need to add but there is nowhere to add those details, let me know and ill see if i can add that in to the add and edit page.

This week has been, for want of a better description, eye opening, and humbling. The thought of the week, after attending the Spear London event, the Emergency Paramedics Mental Health and wellness conference, The Eating disorder Conference, the lack of communication is incredable.

So. We need to talk.

Being apart of the audience, the on looker, knowing that at any time, my mental health may suffer and I will need any one of the services Im singposting to, can be an overwhelming feeling. But, what im seeing is people know these services are availble but are waiting until they are at crisis point before they reach out for help.

We all look around us and see other people in same situations, appearing to be able to cope with simular situations, so why not me, why arent i good enough, why am i finding it difficult to cope? where in reallity, they are looking at you, thinking how strong you are, you can deal with these things and carry on, how do you cope so easily.

So why arent we talking to people? neighbours, friends, families? Is it embarrassment? Are you supposed to be the provider, the strong person in the family? Is what your going through nothing to do with anybody else? You dont want to feel a burden? Think about this for a moment. What one situation are you going through, which is unique, that no one else is going through, that no one else has a story to tell about how they managed this situation, how they got through the day? This week, I have heard nearly every phrase, why we dont talk to people, yet, the time we need support from others is nearly always the time we start to withdraw, stop talking to people, stop going out.

Join a walk and talk group, or a support group. you dont have to talk, you can just listen. I will say, it is likely, your story is simular to somebody elses, and what you have found to help, will help other people. so give it a go. what have you to lose? but, more importantly, you will gain confidence, knowledge, knowing that you are not alone, that there are people out there going through what you are going through, and surviving it.

in one of the conferences, a person asked, In the USA, most people talk to a Therapist, before they are at crisis point, why dont we do that here. Somebody responded, saying that its a misconception made up by the film companies. But, what if, it wasnt. why isnt it reality? my first thought is, cost, but as listed locally in Sutton, there are free counciling / Therapy, so, its down to you. do you want to safeguard your mental health, or hope there is someone there who wont take 'im ok' as a real responce to 'are you ok' at the time, your not.

Its amazing, how events occur, starting with an idea which came from attending an appointment to see the Drs, to going to a Recovery College, to finding out about Sutton Mental Health Foundation, being introduced to Sutton Nightwatch, and now, Sutton Nightwatch introduced me to SpearLondon, where I am now attending one of their events, with a laptop, a Tablet and 100 postcards, talking to other Service providers and Service users, telling them about the website, demonstrating how it works.

Hearing how amazing the website is, how it can be used, even the Job center advisor took some postcards to put up on their board in the office for service users to check out.

Im really looking forwards to making this in to a Community interest company, which will help with people wanting or not wanting to use or display information about the website.

Thanks Sutton Nightwatch for the introduction to SpearLondon.

After getting on the bus, having it cancelled mid way through the journey, not once, but 3 times, I eventually arrived at SouthWest london and St Georges Mental Health Trust's Springfield Hospital. Then misreading the location, I stood outside the trining room for a good 5 -8 minutes before confirming where I should be and then joining the Mental Health First Aid England's Champion course.

The course was ran by Clive, from MHFA England, whos aim is to make 1 in 10 people Mental Health aware, and currently he indicated its at 1 in 40, so they have made a huge impact and progress in this plan.

The course was really interesting, although it reviewed the manual briefley, what we went over was in depth, giving a whole new understanding of how to look for Mental Health distress and then how to manage it and sign post approprately.

Meeting and talking to the other students, was an eye opener. I made a comment, which was intended to be humourious but in hindsight, it only highlighted how a throwaway comment could be taken as being judgemental (its ok, we are now Linkedin friends with a view to enhance the website further). Other than that, which I felt so guilty and sorry about, the whole group really connected and shared information which made the course even more informative and, useful.

So, watch this space, as the website is going to get even more informative.

another busy night, its now 1.30am, this is why i need coffee lol

So, this nights update is to add walk and talk groups to the Support Group catagory. Welcome The Proper Blokes club, The Walk and Talk Movement, and Andys Man Club. These all run walk and talk groups, which are open to anybody free of charge. usually end up somewhere for a cuppa at the end. although one which is reasonabally local is going to a market. may go and vist that one myself

So, keep an eye out on the website as more and more services are being added almost daily, certinally weekly. Something may be added which is of interest to you. If i dont talk to you before hand,

Have a great weekend, but if you find you are struggling, please, check out the website and I trust you will find the support you need.

I have just added an interesting article by Bipolaruk.org, it is a short this is what bipolar is, who could have this condition and information about this condition. Worth a look if you have a moment free. your find a link to this under Learn about mental health @ www.mymentalwellness.uk

Blimy, a second update in a week.. Ok, so the website has been updated again, if you select the area you are wanting to look at, you have the option to add a new service. This can be any of the catagories, and can be for any area you want.

Busy times ahead....

Hello and welcome to the next post on this blog. This month I tried a WhatsApp Community group. This consisted of 15 individual groups with different Mental Health Conditions. They were a great success, each group was being used, with conversations being very positive. But we had a person join with more extensive Mental Health issues, which caused safeguarding triggers, but who ever I called, it was as if they didnt want to know. "we only deal with"... I eventually called the mental Health Crisis line at my local NHS Trust, who give some fantastic advice, most of which I had already carried out. But this highlighted pertential Whatsapp Security issues which we were unable to address, and felt there was no option but to close the groups.

The next big event was the relaunch of the website. The interface has changed completely, making it clear and easier to find services you require. There is still a lot of work to perform on the website, but its in a useable state for people to use, which i think is easier to use than the previous version. Now its live, I have already seen and fixed a number of formatting bugs, but if you see more, please use the contact me menu and let me know Thats all for now, have a great day, but if your struggleing, please check out the website for services which may help you.

The week started as normal, Monday, check facebook, update the friends list, page and group, talk to people on messenger, reassuring them and signposting to services hosted on my website, Tuesday, I thought, hum, I havent heard from Night Watch, so sent a very short email, which led to a meeting Wednesday.

Im so excited for the opertunity to work with Night Watch, Sutton's Homeless charity. Watch this space for fantastic updates to the website, comming soon.

This week again as been exciting. Meeting councillor Bobby Dean led me to talk to 2 Mental Health companies, asking if they would endorse this website. With endorsement, it makes this venture more official, making it a viable service to offer to other services to get the message out there.

While writing the emails, I came up with an idea, a QR sticker, which could be placed in the first aid cabinet or on the Fridge, which, when scanned / photoed, would open the website, showing local services. Placing in the cabinet or on the fridge means, it is available at the times you may need it most. What are your thoughts? let me know. Sorry its a short update, and with that, have a good weekend. If you dont, I trust you know where you can find the support you need.