Mental health is everyone's business.

We all have times when we feel down, stressed or frightened. Most of the time those feelings pass, but sometimes they develop into a more serious problem, and this could happen to any one of us.

Everyone is different. You may bounce back from a setback, while someone else may feel weighed down by it for a long time.

Your mental health doesn't always stay the same. It can change as circumstances change and as you move through different stages in your life.

 

There are lots of places you can find help and support at Ellesmere College and below gives you some ideas on who to ask! The most important thing is that you DO talk to someone about it - no matter how big or small!

It's really important to take care of yourself and get the most from life – and that means looking after your mental as well as your physical health! Sometimes life can be a bit overwhelming or confusing – from exams to living with Covid, self-image to bullying – we all need help from time to time. Sometimes, making simple changes to how you live doesn't need to cost a fortune or take up loads of time but it can really help – so we have listed Six Key Ways you can start to help yourself and those around you!

Unfortunately, stigma can be attached to mental health problems. This means that people feel uncomfortable about them and don't talk about them much. Many people don't even feel comfortable talking about their feelings. But it's healthy to know and say how you're feeling - so why not see if any of our practical tips can help you or search the A-Z of Mental Health below!

A-Z of Mental Health

6 Key Ways to Look after your Mental Health

1. Talking!

• Talking about your feelings can help you stay in good mental health and deal with times when you feel troubled.
• Talking about your feelings isn't a sign of weakness; it's part of taking charge of your wellbeing and doing what you can to stay health
• Talking can be a way to cope with a problem you've been carrying around in your head for a while. Feeling listened to can help you feel more supported. And it works both ways. If you open up, it might encourage others to do the same.
• Talk to one of our student MHESS counsellors, your tutor, or email Mr Alex Murphy:  alex.murphy@ellesmere.com

 

2. Get Active!

• Regular exercise can boost your self-esteem and can help you concentrate, sleep, and look and feel better.
• Exercise keeps the brain and your other vital organs healthy, and is also a significant benefit towards improving your mental health.
• A simple 30 minutes of walking outdoors has been proven to boost endorphins which has a "happy" effect on the way that we feel.
• Any exercise can be good for us. Exercise doesn't have to mean going to the gym, even gardening can be very effective - so try and fit some into your day.

 

3. Eat Well!

• What we eat may affect how we feel – for example, caffeine and sugar can have an immediate effect. But food can also have a long-lasting effect on your mental health.
• Your brain needs a mix of nutrients in order to stay healthy and function well, just like the other organs in your body. A diet that's good for your physical health is also good for your mental health.
• If we constantly eat rubbish, we'll feel "rubbish!"
• Make sure we get a good balance of green vegetables, protein, nuts and fish to give our brains a good source of nourishment.
• Don't forget to hydrate!!

 

4. Keep in Touch!

• Strong family ties and supportive friends can help you deal with the stresses of life.
• Friends and family can make you feel included and cared for. They can offer different views from whatever's going on inside your own head. They can help keep you active, keep you grounded and can help you solve practical problems.
• There's nothing better than catching up with someone face to face, but that's not always possible. You can also give them a call, drop them a note, or chat to them online instead. Keep the lines of communication open: it's good for you!

 

5. Ask for Help!

• None of us are superhuman. We all sometimes get tired or overwhelmed by how we feel or when things don't go to plan.
• Asking for help can often be a sign of strength, not weakness."
• If things are getting too much for you and you feel you can't cope, ask for help. Your family or friends may be able to offer practical help or a listening ear. Local services are there to help you. For example, you could:
• Visit www.selfhelp.org.uk for more information about groups across the UK
• See our Further Help & Support tab at the bottom of the page for contact details of mental health charities and organisations.

 

6. Take a Break!

• A change of scene or a change of pace is good for your mental health. It could be a five-minute pause from cleaning your kitchen, a half-hour lunch break at work, or a weekend exploring somewhere new. 
• Give yourself some 'me time'. Taking a break may mean being very active. It may mean not doing very much at all. Take a deep breath… and relax. Try yoga or meditation, or just putting your feet up.
• Listen to your body. If you're really tired, give yourself time to sleep. Without good sleep, our mental health suffers and our concentration goes downhill. Sometimes the world can wait.

 

Looking after your Mental Health

Where to find Support at Ellesmere College

MHESS - Mental Health at Ellesmere Support System (MHESS) - is a student led initiative by Year 13 student Elin Jones, a team of Sixth Formers and Alex Murphy, Director of Rugby at the College, which focuses on helping students recognise the signs of the detrimental effects to their health and wellbeing, and how and where to access help and support to address any issues.

Elin Jones (left) & Alex Murphy (right)

Mr Murphy said: "The scheme is up and running and raising awareness about general mental health and wellbeing for students, as

well as the problems associated with the tighter restrictions students are facing during these unprecedented times of Covid. People often find it difficult to identify and discuss things which are worrying them but it's good to talk - and that is one of the most important messages we need to get across. One of the other problems that young people experience is knowing where to go when dealing with these difficult thoughts and emotions. We are in the process of creating a multi-layered support structure with lots of options for our pupils. Having a student support team provides an approachable source of guidance for students that acts as a nice stepping stone between pupils and staff. It's not difficult to understand the risks to mental health - something which can creep up on you without being aware of it, which is what prompted the launch of the scheme."

He said: "We have been living with this terrible virus for many months and there doesn't look like being an end to it any time soon. It means having to adhere to rules which can have a debilitating effect on health and wellbeing. Problems can arise in several ways, including anxiety, stress and depression so we must do everything we can to safeguard the health of our students. The support system will monitor, help and advise while raising awareness of the risks to people who are having to deal with every day issues as well as the increased isolation we are all facing at this time. The idea behind the scheme was put forward by Elin and our Sixth Formers who felt that as well as supporting students with their overall mental health and wellbeing, it was also a safety net system in place to avoid a potentially bad situation from becoming much worse. The fact that Ellesmere College has invested in the training of over 30 pupils and staff, only goes to show how seriously we take the emotional wellbeing of our pupils."

"Training students places them in the ideal position to understand the problems and issues faced by their fellow students and offer guidance in helping them seek help and support in maintaining health and welfare."

Student Counsellors

The team of Student Counsellors consists of both Lower and Upper Sixth Form students who have all been trained to help students as their first point of contact. Many students find it easier to talk to another student about issues facing them - particularly at their age - and the Student Counsellor can then support the student in making the decision on the next steps as necessary.

 

If you would like to find out more, or need further help and support, there are a number of charities and organisations available to help - we have listed some of them below.

Shout Crisis Text line

Shout Crisis is a text based charity that offers support with any personal crisis 24/7 - it's free and confidential - just text 'SHOUT' to 85258

For more information on their website click here.

BeeU

BeeU is run by Shropshire Council and offers a range of services including drop in counselling sessions in local areas for families. The service is a partnership between providers that ensure that children, young people and their families get timely and appropriate support for emotional health and wellbeing support.

For young people aged 11 and above - the Kooth site offers confidential advice and support and an app that can be downloaded that has lots of help and support - visit Kooth.  

For more information on the BeeU website click here. 

The Samaritans

A nationwide charity that offers online support and a 24/7 phone line - call 116 123 to speak to a Samaritan. It's free and confidential.

For more information on their website click here. 

Mind

Mind is a mental health charity that provides support and advice on mental health issues and campaigns to raise awareness, improve understanding and improve services for people with mental health issues.

You can call them 9am - 6pm on their InfoLine: 0300 123 3393 or text: 86463

For more information on their website click here.

YoungMinds

YoungMinds is a charity specifically for young people, offering support and advice on their website for all mental health issues from bullying to exam stress, body image to eating disorders, loneliness to grief. 

If you are in need of urgent help, you can text the YoungMinds Crisis Centre for free 24/7 by texting 'YM' to 85258.

For more information on their website click here.

NSPCC

The NSPCC offers young people free and confidential advice and support on whatever your worry and whenever - 24/7. You can call ChildLine for free and anonymously on: 0800 1111

For more information on their website click here.