What is mental health?
Mental Health describes a level of psychological well-being. Being mentally healthy will enable you to make the most of your potential, cope with life and play a full part in your family, workplace and friends.
We all have times when we feel down or stressed or frightened. Most of the time those feelings pass. But sometimes they develop into a more serious problem and that could happen to any one of us. The majority of people who experience Mental Health Problems can recover or learn to live with them, especially if they get help early on.
You can help keep yourself in good mental health by:
- Talking about your feelings
- Keeping active
- Eating well
- Drinking sensibly
- Keeping in touch with friends and loved ones
- Asking for help when you need it
- Taking a break
- Doing something you’re good at and enjoy
- Accepting who you are
- Caring for others
Merton Uplift – mental health and wellbeing services
Merton Uplift is a FREE service supporting anyone who has a mental health or wellbeing need, whether this is due to emotional difficulties such as anxiety or depression, or life stressors.
If you think they can be of help and are interested in finding out more about the service, please call 020 3513 5888 or visit their website www.mertonuplift.nhs.uk.
You do not need to be referred by your GP or any other professional. Just get in touch with Merton Uplift and they can talk through whether our service is for you. They aim to support people with Wellbeing in many ways so no problem is considered to be too small.
Child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS)
Children as well as adults can suffer from a variety of mental health issues, some of which are:
- Behavioural problems
- Depression, Self-harm
- Anxiety disorders
- Obsessive/Compulsive Disorders
- Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder
- Eating Disorders
- Post-traumatic stress
- Family relationship problems
Help and support can be offered to both your child and yourself through this service and initiate any therapies if deemed appropriate.
Useful websites
- Merton Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS)
- Child and Adolescent Mental Health information
- Young Minds
- Child Line
- Teenage Anxiety
- Counselling for 14-18 year olds
- Getting it on
- Camhs Resources
Depression
Depression is a state of low mood and aversion to activity that can affect a person’s thoughts, behaviour, feelings and sense of well-being. Depressed people may feel sad, anxious, empty, hopeless, worried, helpless, worthless, guilty, irritable, hurt, or restless. They may lose interest in activities that once were pleasurable, experience loss of appetite or overeating, have problems concentrating, remembering details, or making decisions, and may contemplate or attempt suicide. Insomnia, excessive sleeping, fatigue, loss of energy, or aches, pains, or digestive problems that are resistant to treatment may also be present.
Depressed mood is not necessarily a psychiatric disorder. It may be a normal reaction to certain life events, a symptom of some medical conditions, or a side effect of some drugs or medical treatments.
- Take this questionnaire to find out if you might be clinically depressed.
If you are feeling mildly or moderately depressed then you may wish to self-refer yourself to the local psychological therapies service.
If you think you are severely depressed or have thoughts of self harm please consult with your doctor.
Useful websites
Anxiety
Anxiety is a feeling of fear, worry, and uneasiness, usually generalized and unfocused reaction to a situation. It is often accompanied by restlessness, fatigue, problems in concentration, and muscular tension. When anxiety becomes overwhelming and distressing to the sufferer, it may fall under the psychiatric diagnosis of anxiety disorder.
- Take this questionnaire to find out if you may have an anxiety disorder.
If you are feeling mildly or moderately anxious then you may wish to self-refer yourself to the Merton Uplift.
If you think you are severely depressed or have thoughts of self harm please consult with your doctor or make contact with the emotional therapy services available or online services below.
Useful websites
Online emotional therapy programs
- Overcoming
- Get Self Help
- Living life to the full
- Serenity program
- Overcoming
- Mood juice
- Re-think mental illness
- Mind your head
Useful websites – Services available in Merton
- Merton and Sutton Early Intervention Service
- Merton Drug and Alcohol Recovery Team
- Merton Mental Health Learning Disability Team
- Merton Older Peoples CMHT
- Mitcham Recovery & Support Team
- Morden Recovery & Support Team
- Multisystemic Therapy Team
- S.U.N. (Service User Network) for those with personality disorder and emotional/behavioural issues
- Welfare Benefits Team
