Emotional Health and Wellbeing

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What you can do and where to get help and information

"Mental health and mental well being are fundamental to the quality of life and productivity of individuals, families, communities and nations, enabling people to experience life as meaningful and to be creative and active citizens." World Health Organisation, 2005

Improving your own mental health

The items below can help improve mental health:

• Keep physically active
• Eat well
• Drink in moderation
• Value yourself and others
• Talk about your feelings
• Keep in touch with friends and loved ones
• Care for others
• Get involved and make a contribution by Volunteering
• Learn new skills
• Do something creative
• Take a break
• Ask for help

Mental disorders affect everyone

Mental health issues directly affect 1 in 4 of us.

Recovery rates for mental health problems are between 70% and 80%.

Chances are you know someone who has or has had a mental health problem.

Mental disorders – like anxiety, depression, eating disorders, drug and alcohol misuse, dementia and schizophrenia – can affect anyone, from any walk of life. In fact, they cause more suffering and disability than any other type of health problem.

Despite this, people with these conditions often attract fear, hostility and disapproval rather than compassion, support and understanding. Such reactions not only cause them to feel isolated and unhappy, but may also prevent them obtaining effective help and treatment.

What causes mental disorders ?

A whole range of different factors – our genetic blueprint, brain chemistry, aspects of our lifestyle, things that have happened to us in the past and our relationships with others – play a part. But whatever the cause, people who develop mental disorders often feel distressed, helpless and unable to lead their lives to the full.

Time for a change of mind

People with mental disorders continue to experience prejudice and discrimination in every area of their lives, from finding somewhere to live to getting a job. It’s hardly surprising that many people with serious mental illness end up poor or homeless. It is up to all of us to become aware of the harm we do with our negative attitudes and to do our bit to stamp them out. Whoever we are and whatever we do, we can combat the harmful effects of stigma by extending our friendship, support and understanding, rather than our judgement and discrimination, to people who are mentally ill.

Employers, Employees, and Mental Health in the Workplace

Please follow the link below for information related to Mental Health in the workplace. The link provides information and guidance for both employers and employees.

Services and Support

There are lots of organisations around who can help:

Service For	Organisation	Contact
Young People	YoungLivin' website and information service. If you are a young person and are worried about anything from exams to bullying to relationships.
Bereavement	Kingston Bereavement Service	0208 547 1552
Financial Stress	Citizen's Advice Bureau	0870 1264019
Racism	KREC	0208 5472332
Relationships	Relate	0208 5410221
Domestic Violence	Domestic Violence	07796 385108
Housing	Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness	0208 2557400
Parenting	Welcare	0208 5463258
Family Support	Homestart	0208 2960654
Adults	South West London and St. George's Mental Health Trust. The Trust provides an individual and group brief psycholgical therapy service to adults aged 18 and over referred by GPs that are part of the Kingston PCT. People are seen either at their GP surgery or at the Acre Road clinic in Kingston.	Acre Road Clinic 204 Acre Road Kingston upon Thames KT2 6EX 0208 541 1686
	MIND in Kingston have all sorts of leaflets about a range of common problems, giving practical advice about what you can do for yourself - and how family and friends can help. If you are worried about a friend or relative MIND's leaflets may also help you to better understand their condition	0208 255 3939
	Kingston Carers Netwok	0208 547 1614
Mental Health	The Fircroft Trust. The Fircroft Trust is a charity which supports adults living in the community with mental health problems and/or learning disabilities.	020 8399 1772
Older People	Age Concern Kingston offers a range of help and support services to older people, their families and carers.	020 8942 8256.

How to get help

It is best to go and speak to your GP about the problems that you or someone you know is having with depression. You can find your nearest GP by using the search facility using your postcode on the NHS Direct website.

Your GP may be able to offer you treatment straight away, or you might be referred to someone who will give you specialist help.

They may refer you to the Psychological Therapies in Primary Care service ('Psychological Therapies In Primary Care' team) or for other more specialist support according to your condition from South West London and St George’s Mental Health Trust. Once your problem has been diagnosed, a care programme will be developed based on your needs.

Library Services

Working in partnership with the staff at MIND in Kingston, Kingston Libraries have created a collection of 150 self help books which aim to help people with mild to moderate mental health problems learn more about their conditions and provide steps to overcoming their symptoms and regaining their lives.

The 50 titles forming the basis of the collection have been suggested by the staff at MIND in Kingston and also from a wider national initiative, Books On Prescription.

The collection is located at Kingston Library, but the books are freely available to reserve and borrow by anyone through the borough libraries.

Need to talk to someone now?

You can find links at the bottom of this page to local counselling services and also for local Mental Health Services.

What Kingston Council and Partners are doing

Kingston Council have a mental health promotion strategy, a copy of which you can find at the bottom of this page. The strategy provides a framework for the delivery of Mental Health Promotion in Kingston,  and implements Standard One of the National Service Framework for Mental Health.

Mental health and well-being is influenced by many factors, including

• Childhood experiences
• Life events
• Levels of social support
• Adequate housing
• Employment
• Financial security
• Access to appropriate health care.

Kingston Council's mental health strategy is cross cutting, with implications for all council directorates. The strategy sets out a programme of activity to promote Mental Health based on four goals:

• Goal 1: To provide a mental health promoting environment in Kingston
• Goal 2: Promoting mental wellbeing in children, young people and parents
• Goal 3: Promoting mental wellbeing in workplaces
• Goal 4: Promoting mental wellbeing in vulnerable groups

A progress report on the strategy was presented to the health overview panel in December 2006. An action plan for the next year was agreed.

Contact Us

The Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames
Guildhall
High Street
Kingston upon Thames,
KT1 1EU

Helpline 020 8547 5757, SMS 07797 806 521