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

Why is mental wellbeing important?

Mental wellbeing is not just about being free from mental illness, but refers to a state of feeling well and confident to tackle life’s challenges. We all know that healthy eating and being active are essential for physical health. In the same ways it is just as vital to look after the health of our minds.

Everyone has mental health and we all go through periods of ups and downs. Sometimes we find it more difficult to cope with things that at other times wouldn’t bother us.

There are many ways in which we can strengthen our mental resilience to overcome the low periods and get the most out of life.

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.

While it's normal to experience periods of mental ill health, prolonged or regular periods can make day to day life more difficult. Seeking help or advice early on is important.

People experiencing more severe or long lasting Mental health problems may find it useful to visit Kingston's Mental Health pages or visit their GP or one of the services outlined below for more information

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.

In Kingston, community members are getting together to take action on mental health stigma. The stigma action group meets on the 3rd Friday of the month at 10am at Berrylands Christian Centre. All welcome. Contact Liz at Liz.Trayhorn@kpct.nhs.uk if you would like more information.

Time to Change is a national campaign aimed at tackling mental health discrimination. Visit their website for a range of information, find events and to find out more about their research and work.

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	020 8547 1552
Financial Stress	Citizen's Advice Bureau	0870 1264019
Racism	KREC	020 8547 2332
Relationships	Relate	020 8541 0221
Domestic Violence	National domestic violence helpline	0808 2000 247
Domestic Violence	One Stop Shop (drop-in 9.30am – 12.30pm Mondays at the Baptist Church, Union Street, Kingston, KT1 1RP)	07917 271 549
Housing	Kingston Churches Action on Homelessness	020 8255 7400
Parenting	Welcare	020 8546 3258
Family Support	Homestart	020 8296 0654
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 020 8541 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	020 8255 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.

Support groups

One of the great ways to deal with times of mental and emotional distress is to connect with others. A number of local support groups exist for a range of purposes.

Surbiton Rethink is a local support group run by mental health service users. Either follow the link, or contact Sarah Jane or Rob for more information on 07977 984 376.

The mental health carers forum network provide support for unpaid carers of someone with a mental health problem. They can provide vital support, information and a listening ear. You can contact them on 07983 063 578 or follow the link to visit their website.

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

Contact Centre: 020 8547 5000
SMS: 07797 806 521

Opening hours: 8am to 6pm Monday to Friday