How have you been feeling recently?
If the person says they have been feeling low discuss with them:
- If they know what could be causing them to feel low
- If they have been taking steps to make themselves feel better
- If they feel they need more support or a referral - advise them to make an appointment and talk to their GP
What’s been happening for you recently?
How are you feeling at the moment?
What have you been doing to make yourself feel better?
You mentioned you are feeling low, why do you think that is?
Other useful regional services:
Every Mind Matters
There are small things we can all do to help be kind to your mind, and these can make a big difference to how we feel.
Get expert advice and practical tips to help you look after your mental wellbeing and make them part of your daily routine Better Health - Every Mind Matters
5 Ways to Wellbeing
Connect with other people
Good relationships are important for your mental wellbeing. They can:
- help you to build a sense of belonging and self-worth
- give you an opportunity to share positive experiences
- provide emotional support and allow you to support others
Be physically active
Being active is not only great for your physical health and fitness. Evidence also shows it can also improve your mental wellbeing by:
- raising your self-esteem
- helping you to set goals or challenges and achieve them
- causing chemical changes in your brain which can help to positively change your mood
Learn new skills
Research shows that learning new skills can also improve your mental wellbeing by:
- boosting self-confidence and raising self-esteem
- helping you to build a sense of purpose
- helping you to connect with others
Give to others
Research suggests that acts of giving and kindness can help improve your mental wellbeing by:
- creating positive feelings and a sense of reward
- giving you a feeling of purpose and self-worth
- helping you connect with other people
Pay attention to the present moment (mindfulness)
Mindfulness can help you enjoy life more and understand yourself better. It can positively change the way you feel about life and how you approach challenges.
How to look after your mental health
Talking about your feelings can help you stay in good mental health and deal with times when you feel troubled. Talking about your feelings isn’t a sign of weakness. It’s part of taking charge of your wellbeing and doing what you can to stay healthy.
Exercise releases chemicals in your brain that make you feel good. Regular exercise can boost your self-esteem and help you concentrate, sleep and feel better.
There are strong links between what we eat and how we feel, for example, caffeine and sugar can have an immediate effect.
But food can also have a long-lasting effect on your mental health. Your brain needs a mix of nutrients to stay healthy and function well, just like the other organs in your body.
A change of scene or a change of pace is good for your mental health. It could be a five-minute pause from cleaning your kitchen, a half-hour lunch break at work or a weekend exploring somewhere new. A few minutes can be enough to de-stress you
Mindfulness
Paying more attention to the present moment – to your own thoughts and feelings, and to the world around you – can improve your mental wellbeing. Reminding yourself to take notice of your thoughts, feelings, body sensations and the world around you is the first step to mindfulness.
5 Steps to Mental Wellbeing
Evidence suggests there are 5 steps you can take to improve your mental health and wellbeing. Trying these things could help you feel more positive and able to get the most out of life.
Kooth
Your online mental wellbeing community. Free, safe and anonymous support.
Mindful Breathing Exercises
Take a deep breath in and a long exhale out – feels good, doesn't it? Try our mindful breathing exercise video to help you feel more calm and present. (Every Mind Matters)
Charlie Waller Trust
We help young people to understand their own mental health, to equip them to support themselves and those around them, and to empower them to talk more openly about the subject. Much of our work takes place in partnership with those with responsibility for young people - families, schools, colleges, universities, and employers.
YoungMinds
We’re the UK’s leading charity fighting for children and young people's mental health. We want to see a world where no young person feels alone with their mental health, and all young people get the mental health support they need, when they need it, no matter what.
The Mix
The Mix is the UK’s leading support service for young people. We are here to help you take on any challenge you’re facing - from mental health to money, from homelessness to finding a job, from break-ups to drugs. Talk to us via our online community, on social, through our free, confidential helpline or our counselling service.
Hope Again
Hope Again is the youth website of Cruse Bereavement Support. It is a safe place where you can learn from other young people, how to cope with grief, and feel less alone.
Here you will find information about our services, a listening ear from other young people and advice for any young person dealing with the loss of a loved one. Hope Again provides somewhere to turn to when someone dies.
Beat Eating Disorders
We are the UK’s eating disorder charity. Founded in 1989 as the Eating Disorders Association, our mission is to end the pain and suffering caused by eating disorders.