Most people know how to make their physical health a bit better, or a bit worse. As a child you probably learned something about nutrition; and how to recognise and actively manage things that affect your physical health. For examples you probably avoid things that damage you, like falling off a ladder, and do things that help your body, like avoiding infection, taking exercise and asking a Doctor to examine you when you notice something strange.

Relatively few of us know how to nurture our mental wellbeing. Its a life-skill we can and should learn, and practice every day. Like drinking water to stay hydrated.

Just as our bodies suffer everyday disease, malfunction and injury, our mental health can be deeply affected by the stress of everyday living. Mental health is not just about deeply distressing or disturbing experiences (traumas), or brain biology. Most difficulties arise from everyday life.

Providing a home and raising an adequate income to feed, clothe and keep you warm can be both physically and mentally demanding. Developing and maintaining effective relationships with a partner, family, friends and colleagues can be emotional and difficult, especially if they are struggling too.

Coping with disability, physical illness or injury and rehabilitation can be mentally tough. And what about parenting, caring, bereavement, education, unemployment, overwork, debt, sexuality, discrimination, relationship breakdown – the list goes on, and on.

It is possible to learn to notice and better manage things you do, or just happen in your life, that make your mental health worse, or better.

Relatively few of us even understand the language used to describe mental health, and why would we if we never talk about it? The words we use

For example, if you fear failing, or letting others down, or receiving bad news, especially when whatever may happen next isn’t under your control, you may experience anxiety.

If your own opinion about your ability to fill a valuable role in the world and live life well declines, you may experience low self-esteem.

It is usually a temporary feeling, that life has become too much to cope with and you struggle to do the ordinary things you usually do. But if this feeling persists, you may be experiencing depression.

Don’t despair. You are not alone. Seek help and as time passes you can and will feel better.

Despite high profile public campaigns, and celebrities speaking about their own mental health to help dispel stigma about mental health, many people still feel socially or culturally uncomfortable about seeking help.

Why not consider joining a Peer-facilitated Support Group, where you can meet in a safe, confidential, equal environment with people who are not part of your everyday life? There you can take time to give voice to your feelings and hear from your Peers’ lived experience of taking more responsibility for managing their mental health. Nobody will push you to say more than you feel comfortable with. You can take from these lived experiences whatever you choose to try out (or try to avoid) in your own life. Nobody will tell you what to do, or give you advice, or expect you to report back.

Participation is £ FREE so everyone can afford to join in. We operate at very low cost and rely on volunteers, small grants and donations. If you can afford to support us please Donate.

Peer Support Plus Group Work is not a one way street. By sharing your own feelings and lived experiences you will help others. It can be emotionally demanding and you will encounter difficult feelings. This is not a social activity, it can be hard work, but you will meet kind people, you will be heard and you won’t be judged.

You can self-refer to join one of out Support Groups. Just Contact us