good thinking  coping in Covid!  Sad?  Christmas!!  New Year!

Check out the new NHS Every Mind Matters page and take their quiz to get your very own personalised Mind Plan.

Regardless of how you were brought up,  as an adult one has to work at being of Healthy Mind in order to deal with life's problems as they arrive.
Relationships with partners,  family,  friends, work colleagues and bosses are important in everyday life, and need time and effort.
A spiritual life really helps a lot of people, and being in touch with your soul can help you out through life's trials. Many people who were never in touch with their inner self have discovered a whole new self to help them make sense of this world.

It's all too easy to be overcome by the pressures of modern life. Paying bills. Spending more than one earns. Unrealistic expectations. But it's important to take a step back and spend some time with a self help book which might change your life, if you are open to it! Remember, being stressed not only makes for a miserable life, but also for blood pressure and heart disease!

Working at being well-balanced takes effort, time and an openness to changing negative ways of thinking. Anyone can do it, but not everybody can be bothered.

• Try and take a daily walk, run or exercise outdoors during daylight hours because this will help with vitamin D intake, and vitamin D can support better sleep and reduce stress levels.
• Eat a balanced diet full of fruit and vegetables and try to avoid an over-reliance on fast food and fried food.
• Keep in touch with friends and family - this can be done digitally via virtual platforms or telephone calls.
• Try and learn something new - whether it’s a new hobby, skill or book this will help to occupy the mind.
• Ensure you take some set time away from work over the winter, especially on weekends and bank holidays, even if you are working from home. Everyone needs some time to refresh and recharge.

• Make your chosen activity apart of your routine - put it in your diary, get your kit ready the night before and tell your friends and family what you plan on doing as this will help you to hold your accountable
• Find a ‘staying active buddy’ - The new restrictions allow for you to exercise with someone from your family or bubble, or with one other person - as long as you adhere to social distancing advice - so find a staying active buddy, create some healthy competition and encourage each other to keep going
• Use apps and technology to your advantage – you can download free fitness apps or opt for a virtual workout class in the comfort of your home
• Wear the right kit - Warm hats, gloves, neck warmers can help you stay active through colder months. Having the right gear can be the difference between making your activity goals or not
• Set a challenge – there are plenty of virtual challenges available, such as the NHS couch to 5K challenge or (not)parkrun - where you can log your 5k walk, jog or run. While it might not give you the social buzz of real life group challenge it will still give you the physical and mental benefits of keeping active

discussion forum   LifeClubs   Debt!

Life Coaching                Personal Development       Building SelfConfidence    

Boosting Self Esteem    Positive Thinking               Stress Managment 

Male Mid-life Crisis       Recovery courses              audio guides

Short Online Courses    GoodThinking Workbooks

Bereavement

This is a natural part of life. It is painful, very painful.  It is only because we care about someone that we miss them and feel sad. There are stages of 'normal' bereavement to go through when someone close dies. It is important that one allows oneself to go through these natural stages of grief.
Help  is available.  Sometimes problems occur when the proper stages are not gone through.
Sutton Bereavement Service is sometimes open to self-referral 8939 2537

CAMHs EMERGENCY SUPPORT

A healthy mental development is essential in these formative years.

Alcohol  Alcohol2 alcohol3   Fostering     youth centre 

Internet Safety

Marketing  Selling sex to Teenagers  marketing

14y-25y Counselling     11-22y Counselling

Self Harm 

App= 'calm harm'  can be helpful, but do come see GP for an assessment

What adults can do to help a child who is self-harming

• Show you understand

• Talk it over

• Discover the triggers

• Build their confidence

• Show you trust them

• Choose who you tell carefully

• Help them find new ways to cope

How to spot warning signs

Look for physical signs such as cuts, bruises, burns and bald patches from pulling out hair. These are commonly on the head, wrists, arms, thighs and chest.

The emotional signs are harder to spot:

• depression

• tearfulness and low motivation

• becoming withdrawn and isolated, for example wanting to be alone in their bedroom for long periods

• sudden weight loss or gain

• low self-esteem and self-blame

• drinking or taking drugs

Some people are affected by longterm (chronic) illnesses such as Manic Depression, Personality Disorders and Schizophrenia, which all need special support.     
Crisis Line for known local patients= 0800 028 8000

Local support groups.

Sutton Mental Health Foundation
Sutton Hearing Voices support 8770 0172      07526 781041
St Georges mental health trust    8296 4453

online activities

What is dementia?

Dementia is an umbrella term used to describe a range of progressive neurological disorders, that is, conditions affecting the brain. There are over 200 subtypes of dementia, but the five most common are: Alzheimer’s disease, vascular dementia, dementia with Lewy bodies, frontotemporal dementia and mixed dementia. Some people may have a combination of different types of dementia and these are commonly called mixed dementia.

What causes dementia?

The brain is made up of nerve cells (neurones) that communicate with each other by sending messages. Dementia damages the nerve cells in the brain so messages can’t be sent from and to the brain effectively, which prevents the body from functioning normally.

Regardless of which type of dementia is diagnosed and what part of the brain is affected, each person will experience dementia in their own unique way.

Dementia in the UK

Dementia is a global concern but it is most often seen in wealthier countries, where people are likely to live into very old age. The Alzheimer’s Society (2014) reports there are over 850,000 people living with dementia in the UK today. Of these, approximately, 42,000 are people with young onset dementia, which affects people under the age of 65. As a person’s age increases, so does the risk of them developing dementia. It is estimated that the number of people living with dementia in the UK by 2021 will rise to over one million. Rates of diagnosis are improving but many people with dementia are thought to still be undiagnosed.

online activities

Dementia

websites  various self help leaflets 
Directory, lots of sites/numbers        leaflets    On-Line Support

General Info    LocalDirectory    Useful Info  drop-in 

Rape  Rape2   ChildAbuseMale Rape      Mind        14y-25y counselling

Suicidal Thoughts?    Coping after Suicide

Samaritans 08457 909090        CrisisLine 08000 28 8000  (5pm-8am)

Depression can be defined as persisting sadness which begins to affect our everyday living and work and relationships.

Anxiety is a natural response to things that threaten us,  but when a person is getting anxious about things that an average person would not, then it is a problem and needs help.

There is certainly a place for use of medicines in both conditions, but getting the right kind of self-help and counselling is the most useful path to recovery.

DEPRESSION

We can all feel depressed sometimes.
Perhaps when a problem comes our way that depresses us, lowers our mood.
Perhaps, we can feel blue for a while, even if we have no particular new problems.
Perhaps, we just feel negative about certain things without actually being sad.

The question is, when does being depressed, miserable, negative, sad  turn into Depressive Illness.

It is difficult to diagnose sometimes, for patients and also for doctors, and even for expert psychiatrists. We are increasingly using a  Scoring test in General Practice.

I have been recommending Overcoming Depression for several years and patients bring back to me, underlining points for discussion. CBT help

depression   more on depression

The truth of the matter is that if a happy person develops the disease of depression, whether for no particular reason or as a reaction to problems that come along in life, then that illness causes chemical imbalances in the brain which need to be re-balanced by taking AntiDepressant medications.  Self-help is important, with books. Support from friends and family. Friends that are not afraid to support you to be motivated and push you when necessary!  The problem with depressive illness is that lack of motivation is part of the problem, and one needs friends to motivate you.  Being signed off sick for too long can make the problem worse, as you will lose self esteem from not working. Work and feeling useful is essential to recovery, as long as you don't feel too much pressure.
Antidepressant medication doesnt usually kick-in for 2-3weeks, and is usually continued for 4-6months, then gradually reduced.

Unfortunately, lots of us have a Negative Personality. This means that we have been trained from childhood to look on the negative side of things. This isn't so much depression, but just negativity. It is harder to deal with, and needs Cognitive Behavioural Therapy.     CBT Online CBT  programs

There are unfortunately some people who expect us to 'sort it all out by referring them to a counsellor', with no effort on their side. They won't get better. Counselling is important, but self motivation and a true will to change and get better is vital. We will always be happy to help you to help yourself get better. Even if time seems short in surgery, we can see you more regularly, even every week, to ensure that you get back to being the positive person that you were.

Primary Care Therapies counselling service. IAPT
There will be a telephone interview first, in which they will make suggestions for computer-aided counselling, work in groups, and occasionally individual counselling. Please, they will have expected you to look at the Directory at the top of the page, to see if there is anything appropriate that may help you. It is expected that you make an effort to help yourself, or to have those close to you to help motivate you to get help.

You can also self refer by internet, or ring 0800 032 1411 or 020 3513 4044
There may be a waiting list of a few months.
Sutton Counselling is sometimes open to referrals  also.

Some patients find that an individual private counsellor is well worth the investment.

ANXIETY

useful book: Overcoming Anxiety
Info     More Info Covid

MISCELLANEOUS

Debt         ObsessiveCompulsive  OCD         Panic    Panic2      
Anger  Anger2  

EatingDisorders         PostTraumatic            Stress          Bipolar  

ALCOHOL & drugs

local self referral Inspire    020 8773 9393

AA                                0800 917 7650
Family Friends support    020 7403 0888
ParentLine                     0808 800 2222
Drugs Anonymous          0300 999 1212
Drugs Advice                 0300 123 6600

Scill Centre  rights

Though strictly not a mental health problem, Learning Disability and Memory problems (including Dementia) are dealt with below.

Memory Problems <50yrs
Often, people come to us worried that their memory is getting worse. Most of the time, they are just panicing. Memory for certain things does deteriorate. Sometimes fatigue or depression or recreational drugs or alcohol can cause memory problems temporarily. Do always come and see the doctor.
Memory, like muscles, needs exercise. Lots of people do Sukudo or crosswords. A good book about keeping memory exercised.

Memory Problems >50yrs
Again, mostly age-related. One needs to exercise one's memory. Reading and TV just won't do it! But do come and see the GP. Sometimes an underactive thyroid can be the cause. We can always refer you to Sutton hospital for an assessment if it is appropriate, to check for Early Dementia.

Memory Tests:  simple test   test         detailed test £7

Dementia
There is lots of help out there. It is stressful being a carer too. Financial

If you’re struggling and you’re not sure if you want to live or die, can you,  just for now hold off making this decision and keep reading and watching the videos for some ideas about how to get through. There may be things that you - and other people - can do to make things better.

You may have found yourself wishing that you were dead, or perhaps thinking that the people who you care about would be better off without you but with support you can choose to live.

Even situations that seem almost impossible to face can feel different if you remind yourself that feelings don’t last forever and you have an idea of what you can do to get through this painful time. Please share our hope that you can find a way forward.

For further help and support click on this link: Staying Safe

Psychological Therapies are available for people who experience emotional difficulties including anxiety and low mood.

About Sutton Uplift

We all go through low points at times in our lives and it is not unusual to experience symptoms related to stress, anxiety and depression.

Sutton Uplift is an integrated Primary Care Mental Health service accessible to anyone living in the borough of Sutton or registered with a Sutton GP who are 18 years and over. We support anyone who has a mental health or wellbeing need, whether this is due to emotional difficulties or life stressors. We also offer a service for people with a stable mental health diagnosis such as psychosis and Bipolar Affective disorder.

Sutton Uplift is a partnership between the NHS and local voluntary sector organisations and launched on the 1st of July 2015.

With values based on empowerment and building resilience within the community we tailor support to the individual. The service has four key elements: The Referral Centre, Recovery Team, IAPT (Improving access to Psychological therapies) and Wellbeing.

Wellbeing is core to our service with Wellbeing Navigators working in collaboration with all elements within Sutton Uplift.

We can support your mental health and wellbeing needs through a number of ways including:

• Self management courses
• Psychological therapies
• Psychiatric assessments
• Recovery and Wellbeing support

If you think we can be of help and are interested in finding out more about or service please call us or complete the referral form on this site. You do not need to be referred by your GP or any other professional. Just get in touch with us and we can talk through whether our service is for you. We aim to support people with Wellbeing in many ways so no problem is considered to be too small.

We aim to make our service as accessible as we can and offer some evening and Saturday morning sessions.

Click the link for more information and a self-referral form Sutton Uplift

A self-referral form Self Referral Form