Mental Health Awareness Week - Monday 15^th May – Sunday 21^st May

Mental Health Awareness Week, now in its 23rd year, runs from 15-21 May and is hosted by the charity, Mental Health Foundation. This year, the theme is ‘anxiety’.

Across the UK, people are encouraged to get involved by sharing their experience of anxiety and the things that can help with the hashtag #ToHelpMyAnxiety.

As part of the campaign, the Mental Health Foundation will be publishing guidance on how we can manage and improve feelings of anxiety and prevent them from developing further.

Managing Anxiety

There are things we can do to manage feelings of anxiety and stop them becoming overwhelming. For example,

- breathing exercises

- Physical activity

- speaking to a trusted friend, and/or

- keeping a diary. You can find more information and guidance at mentalhealth.org.uk

For more information about this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week visit: www.mentalhealth.org.uk/mhaw

Dementia Action Week - Monday 15^th May – Sunday 21^st May

This Dementia Action Week, the Alzheimer’s Society is focusing on addressing the misconception around memory loss just being part of getting old.

Getting a diagnosis of dementia can be daunting, but Alzheimer’s Society believe it’s better to know, and so do 91% of people affected by dementia.

The Alzheimer’s Society wants anyone who’s concerned that they or someone close to them might be experiencing signs of dementia to continue to contact them for guidance and support.

This includes

- reading the new information on memory loss and diagnosis

- using the symptoms checklist to help describe symptoms to GPs

- watching first-hand stories from people living with and affected by dementia on the benefits of getting a diagnosis.

REDUCING THE RISK OF DEMENTIA

Being more active can reduce your risk of developing dementia, as well as being beneficial for other aspects of your physical and mental health.

If you want to know how to build more activity into your daily life please book a refocus session with one of the Better team.

For more information about Dementia please visit: www.alzheimers.org.uk