This is Mental Health Week, and local MP, Selaine Saxby, has launched a new mental health guide, available now on her website. As a former teacher responsible for the well-being of young people, Ms. Saxby well understands the importance of looking after physical health as well as mental health, and was keen to create and promote a booklet that could help her constituents.
The booklet contains a wealth of advice, from how to understand your mental health and such feelings as anxiety and worry, to then how to take actions that can help to improve it, such as ideas for getting out and about, and links to further resources to explore. Ms. Saxby understands that even with the continued successful rollout of vaccines, the return to work, school, and even in-person socialising post-Covid is a very stressful and anxious time for many people, and it is important that this is recognised.
The theme of this year’s Mental Health Week is nature. As Ms. Saxby’s booklet advises, being out in open and green spaces is great for both your physical and mental health, and Ms. Saxby is keen to emphasise that North Devon is certainly a very suitable place for this. However, as the booklet explains, what works for one person will not necessarily work for another, so it is right that everyone takes time to consider what suits them best, and what they can do to improve their mental health.
Ms. Saxby’s booklet is available now on her website, and all interested parties are welcome to download, print, and share it as they wish, with a particular emphasis on helping those who may need that help. This mental health booklet is supported by Ask For Jake, a charity based in Braunton focused on suicide, self-harming, eating issues, and other problems.
Selaine Saxby MP for North Devon said:
“We know that the pandemic has been difficult for the mental health of the nation. Even the positive changes of unlocking can have an impact on how we feel and it is vital that we look after our own mental health as well as being more aware of the mental health of others around us.
We are lucky in North Devon to have such beautiful outdoor spaces, and spending time outdoors and linking with nature is known to be good for our mental health.
“I hope that this short guide on looking after your mental health will give you useful, actionable tips and information. Remember, it is good to stay connected and informed, but not to the detriment of your mental health.
“It is so important we look out for each other, and ourselves, not just during this Mental Health Week, but indeed throughout the year. With this year’s focus on nature, I would urge everybody to get out in beautiful North Devon and do something that they enjoy.”
A representative from Ask For Jake said:
“At Ask for Jake, we recognise that people sometimes just want to talk to their peers. People who may be struggling or have struggled with whatever it is that is on their mind, or just someone their age who wants to listen. That is why we created facilities like Peer Talk, an online Zoom meeting where you chat person to person with someone who understands.
“You can talk to us about whatever it is that is on your mind. No matter how big or how small. Raising awareness of mental health needs is important and we welcome this booklet that Selaine has produced and hope that more people will seek the support that they need. We are there to help.”
