OTnews October 2021 | Page 6

NEWS

Get your Mind Plan as part of campaign to support the nation ’ s mental wellbeing
The impact and experience of the past 18 months has been different for everyone , as have our reactions , but there is no doubt it has been a difficult time for us all . That ’ s why it is so important to look after our mental health and wellbeing ; now more than ever .
On 5 October , in the run up to World Mental Health Day , Better Health – Every Mind Matters launched a campaign to support the nation ’ s mental wellbeing . Aimed at all adults , but weighted towards those most at risk of mental health problems and vulnerable groups , the campaign heroes the little things we can all do to look after our mental wellbeing and how these can make a big difference – helping us to lead happier , healthier lives and cope with life ’ s challenges .
At the heart of the campaign is the free , NHS-approved Mind Plan . By answering five simple questions on the Every Mind Matters website , adults will get a personalised mental health action plan , giving practical tips to help them deal with stress and anxiety , boost their mood , sleep better and feel more in control .
When it comes to taking care of your mental health , having a plan is a great first step . The tips in the Mind Plan have been chosen by clinical experts to help you find what works for you and have been designed to fit into your everyday routine . However , if something doesn ’ t work for you , you can swap it for a different tip .
The Every Mind Matters website is continuously updated to support the public ’ s mental health , and includes a COVID-19 hub , which offers tips and support on how to deal with change , cope with money worries and job uncertainty .
The website also provides practical tips on dealing with stress and anxiety , boosting your mood , sleeping better , and what you can do to help others . Some suggested tips for improving your mental wellbeing include :
Reframe your thoughts : sometimes we might develop patterns of thoughts that are unhelpful . This affects the way we feel and can lead to unhelpful actions , but it is possible to recognise , challenge and replace our unhelpful thoughts . Learning how to do this can really help to improve our mental health and wellbeing .
Be in the present : sometimes we can get caught up in worrying about the future or ruminating on the past . Taking time to notice our own thoughts and feelings , and the world around us can help us to gain a better perspective and feel better . This is known as being more mindful .
Get good sleep : getting good-quality sleep is really important for our mental health and can make a big difference to how we feel . It is important to get enough sleep and there are lots of things that can help us to develop a healthy sleeping routine , like switching off and having some winding down time before bed .
Connect with others : connecting with others is important for our mental health and can help us to feel better even when we don ’ t feel like socialising . There are lots of different ways to do this whether it ’ s in person , online or over the phone . Spending quality time with friends or family , talking to someone about how we are feeling or finding ways to help other people can all help to improve your mental wellbeing .
Live a healthy life : our mental health goes hand in hand with our physical health and there are small changes we can make to take care of both . Being active , enjoying the outdoors and having a healthy , balanced diet can all help to boost mental wellbeing . Also , binning bad habits like smoking , and cutting down on alcohol and caffeine can have a positive effect on our mood .
Do something for yourself : when we don ’ t feel our best it can stop us from doing enjoyable activities but it ’ s important to find the time to do things just for you . This might be your favorite hobby , learning something new or simply taking time to relax . Allowing yourself to figure out what hobbies or activities make you happy can help to boost your mood , lower stress and build confidence .
For further details and to get your Mind Plan visit : www . nhs . uk / every-mind-matters / mental-wellbeing-tips / your-mind-plan-quiz /.
School student wins national competition with an occupational therapy themed board game
A year seven student from Penwortham Girls High School in Lancashire has won the national Step into the NHS Schools competition for creating a board game to depict the day in the life and career choices of an occupational therapist .
Judges thought the entry was innovative and resourceful and were impressed by the student ’ s focus on job satisfaction .
Congratulating the student in a letter to the school , RCOT ’ s chief executive Steve Ford said : ‘ We are writing to send you huge congratulations at being a winner for the North West region of the Step into NHS secondary schools competition .
‘ The Royal College of Occupational Therapists was delighted to see you had chosen occupational therapy as the focus for your board game . Occupational therapy is one of 14 allied health professions , all are so important in supporting people to live their lives to their full potential . We are a little biased in believing that being an occupational therapist is one of the best jobs in the world !
‘ Like the judges , we too were impressed by the value you place on job satisfaction . It is so important that we enjoy our careers and share that positivity and enthusiasm with the people who use our services . We love how you finish the game celebrating that the occupational therapist has made a difference .
‘ When the time comes to make your career choices , we do hope that you consider occupational therapy . Your creativity and clear communication skills would be an asset to the profession .’
A video of the board game can be viewed on YouTube : https :// bit . ly / 3okb5ie .
6 OTnews October 2021