Penny for your thoughts

Oct 10^th is World Mental Health Day. Here is some information everybody should be aware of….

According to Mental Health Ireland, mental ill health refers to the kind of general mental health problems we can all experience in certain stressful circumstances; for example, work pressures can cause us to experience poor concentration, mood swings and sleep disturbance.

Such problems are usually of temporary nature, are relative to the demands a particular situation makes on us and generally respond to support and reassurance.

Mental illness can be defined as the experiencing of severe and distressing psychological symptoms to the extent that normal functioning is seriously impaired.

Examples of such symptoms include:

·         anxiety

·         depressed mood

·         obsessional thinking

·         delusions and hallucinations

Some form of professional medical help is usually needed for recovery / management. This help may take the form of counselling or psychotherapy, drug treatment and/or lifestyle change. 

If you are worried that you or someone you know is at risk of suicide or self-harm, you should immediately contact your local doctor or go to the Accident and Emergency department of the nearest hospital.

Do you need to Talk to Someone ?
If you need to talk to someone right now, Mental Health Ireland recommend a number of helplines you can contact for confidential non-judgemental support.

Most helplines will provide a listening service, give information and advice, provide emotional support and point you in the direction of other services. They are often free phone services which are staffed by trained volunteers or employees. Some helplines, such as Bodywhys or Aware, specialise in dealing with particular issues, whilst others, such as the Samaritans are more general, dealing with a whole range of issues that may concern young people.

Here is a list of places where you can ask for help: Click Here