How do I prevent a mental health problem?
1. Tell someone how you are feeling about your mental health and ask for help
Take charge of your mental health and wellbeing by sharing your concerns. Talking can help put a problem in perspective, making you feel supported and less isolated. Remember, you don’t need to cope by yourself. Ask family, friends or local NHS services (GP, IAPT etc), for help when you begin to feel overwhelmed.
2. Stay active to boost your mental health and wellbeing
Doing regular exercises and activities improves your mental health. It can help you concentrate, sleep better and boost self-confidence. If you’re new to exercise, or you’ve fallen out of practice, why dont you go to your local sports centre and ask to speak to someone to get advice on how to start.
3. Eat well to feed the brain
Ensuring you have a balanced, nutritious diet will benefit your physical health as well as improve your mental wellbeing.
4. Drink alcohol sensibly to reduce mood swings – and limit use recreational drugs
Some people drink to help deal with feelings of fear or isolation, but any change in mood is only temporary. So choose a healthier way to cope with stress and mental health problems, such as trying a new hobby or activity. Regular recreational drug use will not help either.
5. Keep in contact with friends
Staying in touch with friends – in person, on the phone or online – can help you remain grounded, active and supported,. And, in return, it has a positive effect on you mental wellbeing and improves your mental health.
Keep away from negative people – don’t reply to their messages and emails. They will go away.
6. Learn a new skill
Every day’s a school day! All questions are good questions. Improve you mental health and empower yourself by learning a new skill. Learn a new skill or language, or how to play an instrument – set yourself a challenge, no matter how big or small
7. Take time out for your own well-being
A break from work – whether you’re taking some annual leave or just a five-minute break – can be the difference between feeling stressed and coping with stress. You can ask for days off to help your mental health.
8. Accept who you are
We are all different, so rather than trying to be like someone else, be proud of who you are. Focusing on your own strengths and abilities, and learning new skills, can help boost your confidence and give your mental health a boost too.
9. NHS
Consult the NHS’s services early, if you think a mental health problem may be starting.
GP
Ask the receptionist if there is a GP with a special interest in mental health at your practice, and ask to see them. You can also ask for double appointments (20 minutes). A normal one may not be long enough to deal with your issues. Alternatively ask if there is a primary care mental health worker (such as a mental health trained nurse) at the practice.
IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapy)
These are NHS counsellors that offer talk therapy. Self referring is the quickest way to access the service but your GP can also refer you. Just ‘Google’ IAPT and your area, or your GP practice website/reception should also have the contact details.
Urgent mental healthcare
MyHSN has information on how to access that here.
10. Physical health
Physical disease can precipitate or worsen a mental health problem even it does not cause it directly. An example is longterm pain, like back pain. MyHSN has advice on back pain and all causes of pain.
Being overweight can be a cause or effect of a mental health problem. MyHSN’s advice on weight loss is here.
So it is important that your GP and hospital specialists address all aspects of your health – e.g. treating all physical diseases well, to help prevent a mental health problem.
Summary
We have explained ‘how do I prevent a mental health problem?’. There is alot you and the NHS can do, to prevent you getting a mental health problem.
Other resources
There are related articles on MyHSN on:
- What is mental health?
- Mental health red flag symptoms
- Mental health problems (in general). This is a good article to start with
- 7 common mental illnesses
- What is an NHS IAPT?
- How to access urgent NHS mental health care.
