• One in four people will experience some form of mental illness at some point in their life
• Nearly 12 million adults see their GP every year with complaints related to stress
• It estimated that at any one time, one in ten people in the UK will be suffering from depression

The Greets Green Healthy Minds Programme has been set up by the Greets Green partnership as one of their priority areas under the Health Theme Business Plan. It aims to  “Improve support in the community for vulnerable people with mental health needs to reduce depression and cycles of despair.”

Any of us can experience stress, anxiety, depression…. or sometimes we may just feel down. It isn’t always easy to recognise that there is a problem or that we may need help. It can be difficult to talk about our feelings and we often worry what other people might think.

People who experience these problems can often feel isolated and confused. This can lead to feelings of despair and even thoughts of suicide. There are services available that can offer help and support but sometimes it is a question of finding the right help at the right time and…. finding the courage to ask. Relatives, friends and carers also need support.

The Greets Green Healthy Minds Programme aims to support Greets Green residents and employees with their mental health and general wellbeing.

• Raising awareness of mental health and wellbeing issues
• Reducing the stigma around mental health
• Making it easier for people to access help and support

The Healthy Minds Programme is currently providing opportunities for training around mental health and wellbeing issues in the Greets Green area. If you are an organisation or a community / social group based in the Greets Green area, you could benefit from this free training.

Examples of sessions include Recovery, Mental Health Awareness and Stress Management (although other topics can be provided). Further training can be tailored to the requirements of the group.

The Project is also offering free ‘taster sessions’ of complimentary therapies in the form of ‘hand and arm’ and ‘head and neck’ massage to community groups within Greets Green.

Complimentary therapies are now being recognised and used within a holistic approach to promote good health and wellbeing. In particular, massage helps to reduce stress and encourage relaxation

For more information, please contact: Julie Davies

Healthy Minds Coordinator

Tel: (0121) 553 7074  /  07884 202799