Wellbeing is:
a positive physical, social and mental state
Your wellbeing is greatly affected by your emotional wellbeing and mental health. There is an assumption that the mind and the body are separate, however, we know that it’s better to think of the body as a whole. Your mental and physical health are linked together. Click here to find some general helpful advice.
If you would like support from the Wellbeing service at Kendal College, please contact your tutor who can arrange this or complete this form to carry out a self referral.
Mental Health Support options:
To access NHS Mental Health support you must visit your GP first to discuss your symptoms
If you are under 18 you will have to request a referral to CAMHS to access specific Mental Health support. However, these treatments are clinical and science based, They do not offer person-centred counselling.
If you are prescribed Anti-depressants or propanalol please make sure you have read this guidance first. They have a lot of side effects and should be monitored closely.
There are 3 main options:
Adult Acute Mental Health Services
Medication, this may prescribed in isolation or addition to the above options.
The NHS is stretched more than ever and it may take some persuasion and determination to get the help you need. there is no quick fix and there are charities and organisations who can help.
Cancer care can offer free counselling for those with or caring for those with cancer.
SAFA are a Self-harm charity who work throughout cumbria, they offer free counselling (and opportunities to donate towards the cost of each session). They also have lots of info and support on the website.
The Birchall Trust offer free counselling to survivors of domestic and sexual abuse.
Flynnes barn also offer free counselling for cancer patients or those supporting family with cancer.
Barnardos provide ‘MyTime’ support for under 18’s this is 6-8 sessions of support for anxiety, depression and stress. This is less specialist than CAMHS but may be more appropriate for some. To access this book a wellbeing appointment
Mind In Furness offer lots of support in the community and keep up to date via facebook
The Wellbeing Helpline and Texting Service
Text HELLO to 07860 022 846
For some, the waiting time in public services is too much and in that case there are private options. Most private counsellors charge between £35-50 per session (some offer student rates). There is not a set process for seeking a counsellor but asking trusted people for recommendations can be helpful, such as college staff.
Find a local accredited counsellor on:
British Association Counselling and Psychotherapy website
Always ask for a counsellor’s qualifications before arranging a session and you are allowed to ask to see their certificates.
There are lots of reasons why you might experience a change in how you are feeling.
| Panic/fear | Stress |
| Relaxation | Mental Health problems |
| Suicide | Depression |
| Counselling | Self-Care |
| Self-Harm | Anxiety |
Dealing with Death- Bereavement support
If you are affected by the death of someone, please click here for more support
Student's Against Depression
A designated mental health support service for students. Here you can find lots of useful tools and resources.
Healthy Young Minds
Local directory of support for your people, professionals and parents/carers.
Talk to someone - Kooth
Kooth is a free service for under 19's where you can speak through live chat or over the phone to someone.This has been funded by cumbria local authority
Talk to someone - 7 cups
This is a free 24/7 chat service with trained listeners.
Talk to someone- Childline
Free 1:1 chat (u18's) with a trained professional; a range of suggested ways to cope with distress and help and support.
Self-Care
Self-Care is the name given to looking after every part of your wellbeing in balance, and it’s really important to do in order to feel better.
| Sleep | Sleep is very important for overall health. As soon as something stressful happens, it’s usual that sleep will be affected. Therefore, having good bedtime routines, and good sleep hygiene is really important |
Why is sleep important for mental health
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| Exercise | Research shows that being active always improves mood, gives you a sense of achievement and sets off neurochemicals in your brain that make you feel happier. | How to start getting into exercise |
| Look at – Diet, health needs that should be addressed | What does your diet look like? Are you suffering or in pain at the moment? Are there areas in your life that need addressing? How is your work/life balance? | |
| Feel good | Do at least one meaningful activity a day that provides you with a sense of achievement or accomplishment. Even a small thing like doing a task you have been putting off for a while, going to the gym, or helping a friend out. |
www.edenarts.co.uk/projects/ycaoty |
I can't concentrate
Tips to help you concentrate
What to do before an Exam
Tips on what to do before an exam
Study Advice
More study advice available here
Mindfulness
Headspace
Headspace has free mindfulness sessions to listen to
Ways to feel calm
Learning how to breathe to calm your body is a powerful skill, learn more here
Silver Cloud
Online course for managing Anxiety and Depression
What is Mindfulness?
Paying more attention to the present moment – to your own thoughts and feelings, and to the world around you – can improve your mental wellbeing. Mindfulness can help us enjoy life more and understand ourselves better. You can take steps to develop it in your own life.
It sounds complicated, how do I get started?
You can take really simple steps by making the most of your 5 senses: sight, touch, smell, taste and sound.
For example: stop what you are doing now, focus on your environment. Say out loud 5 things you can see, 4 things that you can hear, 3 things that you can touch, 2 things that you can smell and 1 thing that you can taste. What do you notice about how you feel?
Tuning in to your senses using the daily activities we’ve suggested will help you get started with the basics of what mindfulness is. It’s well worth investing in. Like other skills, you must practice it for it to take effect. When you are next on a walk, try tuning in to listen to every sound, loud or quiet.
How does this make me feel better though?
Racing thoughts? Struggling to concentrate? Too often our modern day brains are expected to multi-task, what happens to our brains when we try this? We become agitated, irritable and restless, lots of different things popping in to our mind. This affects our mood terribly. If we slow things down, it makes it possible to process emotions and feelings more efficiently, which in turn, gives more headspace for the things that are being asked of us. Students report that they are more productive when they apply mindfulness techniques to their daily lives.
It's too confusing!
If the language used around mental health support if confusing, check out out Jargon buster here.
Eating difficulties
If you would like more info on difficulties with eating click here
Hearing voices
Hearing or seeing unusual things? Check out support and info here
NHS mental health advice
Help and support from the NHS website around mental heatlh and emotional distress.
Treatment and support options
Info on the options for treatment and support.
Young Minds
Find out about ways to look after yourself and your emotional health.
Suicidal Thoughts?
Papyrus are the leading charity in supporting young people with thoughts of ending their own life. It's important to seek help!
Staying safe online
Worried about online safety ? Check out this link for support
Download the Stay Alive App
How do I support my friend?
If your friend tells you that they are struggling click here for advice on supporting them
Wellbeing Passport
If you find it difficult explaining your difficulties to professionals, think about completing a wellbeing passport to show at appointments
Supporting a child with their Mental Health
Guidance for supporting your child with their mental health
Caring for a loved one with Mental Health difficulties
If you are caring for someone who is struggling with their mental health click here for support and info
Stay Connected
It can feel really isolating to be coping with mental health difficulties or emotional suffering. Staying connected is really important. Check out the links below for local options of staying social.
Growing Well
Growing Well is a horticulture-based mental health charity, established in 2004. Our base is on a 6-acre farm at Low Sizergh, just outside Kendal. We currently provide support to individuals struggling with any aspect of their mental health from a wide geographical area covering the South Cumbria and North Lancashire region.
We offer horticulture or catering activity as a powerful alternative (or accompaniment) to talking therapy. Where sometimes there just aren’t the words, our activities provide a unique context for discovering, understanding, and communicating personal needs, and strengths. In our occupationally focused approach, the activity IS the therapy.
We offer a range of supported, meaningful activity and accredited training, all based around participatory work on the field and in our kitchens.
When working with our volunteers (our beneficiaries), we focus on three objectives:
- Building emotional resilience
- Developing life skills
- Supporting healthier, more active living