At some point in our lives one in four of us will have some sort of mental health problem and thousands more will be affected by someone who is suffering. The onset of a mental health problem may be linked to certain life events such as bereavement or abuse, it may be hereditary, or it may appear to develop completely out of the blue. 

There is a lot of support available for people who are suffering including coping strategies such as relaxation and reducing tension, talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy, as well as a variety of medications. 

It is important not to suffer in silence.  If you think that you or someone you know might be suffering from a mental health problem then visit your GP who will be able to advise you what to do next.

For more information on mental health issues and to find out about services available near you.

Stress is a trait that has been present in humans for thousands of years and is there to make your body respond to threats. Stress hormones such as adrenaline are released resulting in increased heart rate, breathing etc and the feeling of nervousness or fear. This is called the fight or flight response which simply means that your body is preparing to either stay and face the threat or try and escape from it. There are many stresses in modern life such as pressures with work, family, health and finances. Some stress can be good, for example it is ok to feel a bit nervous before an exam or interview because it will motivate you to do more preparation. However it can become a problem if the stress is present a lot of the time and it is affecting your life. If stress continues for a prolonged period then you are at risk of developing high blood pressure which can lead to heart attacks or stroke.

Stress affects people in different ways – loss of appetite, behaviour change, feeling anxious, crying, tiredness, sweating, breathlessness, dizziness are just some of the symptoms. Below are a few tips for handling stress. If you are having trouble controlling your stress contact your GP who will be able to help you.

• Identify stressors – write down your feelings, situations. Talk to a friend
• Relax – go for a walk, learn to meditate, read a book or take a hot bath. Releasing stress tension helps you calm the heart's pace and digest food normally, and protect your immune system
• Eat healthy – cut back on the junk food and fill up on fruit and vegetables for increased energy levels
• Say no – don’t take on too much and if you can’t think of a good reason for why you’re doing something, stop doing it
• Keep active – great for relieving tension and blowing off the cobwebs. Even a five minute jog or running up and down the stairs a few times can clear your mind and get the blood pumping, making you feel better
• Laugh – a sense of humour and good attitude has been shown to reduce the effects of stress and benefits physical health and relationships
• Organise and prioritise - do the worst and hardest tasks first. Keep a to-do list and calendar with you at all times