Author: Rino R

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Anxiety: Mental Health Awareness Week 2023

The team at the Croydon Health and Wellbeing Space wore green
this week to raise awareness for Anxiety for Mental Health Awareness Week!

If you or someone you care about is experiencing symptoms of
anxiety, please know you are not alone. Over 8 million people in the UK are
experiencing an anxiety disorder at any given time. Here at the Croydon Health and Wellbeing Space we know how debilitating anxiety can be and we are here to support you.

Tips for those experiencing Anxiety:

Mindfulness, Relaxation and Breathing Exercises– focusing on
the present moment

Worry Time– having a designated time in your day where you allow
yourself to worry rather than it taking over your entire day

Face your Fears– gradually exposing yourself to the thing
you are fearing e.g. leaving your house, public spaces, etc. Small steps are
good steps in the right direction. You may need the support of a professional
to do this.

Self-Care– taking time for yourself, doing things you enjoy
including spending time in nature

Exercise and Diet– regular physical activity and eating a regular
meals is important

Look at the Bigger Picture– focus on the things that are
within your control and not worry about things that are not in your control

Understand your Anxiety– keep a diary and understand what
can trigger you

Self-Help– try CBT techniques through online video guides or
books

Talk to Others– speak to a trusted friend or family member about
how you are feeling or even find a local support group or online forum

Professional Help– reach out to a professional, the appropriate
starting point would probably be your GP or if you are a Croydon resident you could present to us at the Croydon Health and Wellbeing Space. There are various ways in which we can support you with your anxiety:

  • Coping Skills Groups- Sleep, Worry, Self-Esteem
  • Self-Compassion Therapy Group
  • Connect and Cope Group
  • Onsite psychologist
  • Signposting and referrals to appropriate therapeutic
    services
  • Support and advice with issues that are causing
    you anxiety such as financial worries, housing conditions, etc.
  • Mindfulness and Relaxation Groups

     Please note this list is not exhaustive. Groups listed here are examples of those we have run in the past or intend to run in the future. Keep up to date with our monthly newsletters to find out when certain groups are running.

 

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Coping with the Cost of Living Crisis

The cost of living crisis is affecting all of us. It is important we look after our mental health during this time of added stress and seek all the practical support we are entitled to. There are resources out there to help you manage your money and adapt to a new budget, and there could be benefits you are entitled to. Prioritising our mental health is paramount due to the strong links between debt and suicide risk.

59% of adults in the UK say the cost of living crisis has negatively impacted their mental health and 1 in 5 adults say they are ‘unable to cope’ with rising costs. If you are finding it difficult to cope please attend our workshop at the Croydon Health and Wellbeing Space on the 31st March run by Croydon Talking Therapies for practical tips and mental wellbeing CBT based support. You’ll need to register to attend. You can also book an appointment to speak to one of our support workers if you’d like to see what other support is available to you including welfare benefits.

 

To register for the workshop please drop in to the Croydon Health and Wellbeing Space or call us on 020 3154 9539.

Other ways in which we can support you with money worries:

  • We can set you up an appointment with a benefit advisor who can tell you what you are entitled to
  • You could attend one of our DWP drop in sessions for benefit queries
  • You could be eligible to apply for the household support fund from the government- applications have recently re-opened
  • We host a variety of groups such as coping skills groups to help you manage your worries
  • You could speak to one of our support team 1:1 about your mental health and financial situation, we will look at your situation holistically and aim to connect you to all the right services in Croydon.
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LGBTQ+ History Month at the Croydon Health and Wellbeing Space

 February is LGBTQ+ History Month! Did you know that those in the LGBTQ+ community are more than twice as likely to develop a mental health problem? Recent studies have shown half of LGBTQ+ people have experienced depression, 3/5 have experienced anxiety and 1/8 have attempted to end their life. There are many things we need to recognise which the LGBTQ+ community often go through, which can affect their mental health such as discrimination, homophobia/transphobia, social isolation, rejection and difficult experiences of coming out. Society has come a long way over the years but there is still work to be done. There are many barriers for the LGBTQ+ community when accessing support; recent studies have shown around 1/8 LGBTQ+ people have experienced unequal treatment from healthcare staff and 1/7 have avoided seeking treatment for fear of discrimination. At the Croydon Health and Wellbeing Space, we pride ourselves in being a safe space for all. Our aim is to make mental health care more accessible, particularly for those who are from marginalised communities. We urge anyone from the LGBTQ+ community who is struggling with their mental health to drop in and have a chat with one of our non-judgemental support staff who will help them navigate the support options available to them.