Good mental health is just as important as good physical health. In fact it's common for people with a long-term physical problem to also have a mental health problem, and vice versa. So if you lead a lifestyle which takes good care of your body (good diet, plenty of exercise, no smoking and little or no alcohol) the chances are that it's good for your mental state too.

Looking after your mind goes further though. It's extremely important that you are aware of your mental state so that you can catch any problems before they grow.

One thing to be aware of is that mental health problems are much more prevalent than you might imagine. In fact as many as one in four of all people are likely to develop a mental health problem in their lifetime, whether it is stress, anxiety, depression or any of a wide range of issues.

• Mental health problems are one of the main causes of the overall disease burden worldwide.
• Mental health and behavioural problems (e.g. depression, anxiety and drug use) are reported to be the primary causes of disability worldwide, causing over 40 million years of disability in 20 to 29-year-olds.
• Major depression is thought to be the second leading cause of disability worldwide and a major contributor to the burden of suicide and ischaemic heart disease.
• It is estimated that 1 in 6 people in the past week experienced a common mental health problem.

Equal treatment

Mental health is a very broad term, encompassing many conditions that people might experience. The treatments for these conditions are equally varied, from a casual chat with someone in a similar situation at a Safe Haven to intensive clinical treatment in a mental health inpatient unit.

In 2015 NHS North East Hampshire and Farnham Clinical Commissioning Group publicly committed to establishing 'Parity of Esteem' between emergency mental and physical health services. This means that the CCG pledged to work to ensure that anybody with a mental health crisis received the same care, respect and quality of treatment as somebody with an emergency physical ailment or injury.

This pledge was made through the Surrey Mental Health Crisis Care Concordat.

The most effective way of maintaining good mental health is through your lifestyle.

Your brain requires particular chemicals to be able to function properly and a healthy, balanced diet will not only help you to care for your body but will also ensure that your brain receives the right nutrients to be able to work normally.

Keeping fit and active is also important for mental health. It helps to improve your cardiovascular system, which is important for keeping your blood pumping to your brain. Exercise also releases chemicals known as endorphins, which are known to improve mood.

Specific techniques focusing on the mind are also used widely to help people to manage their mental health. These might include relaxation methods, mindfulness, meditation.

If you already have mental health problems - firstly, don't worry. They're a lot more common than you might think.

One person who will need to be made aware - and who may well have been involved in diagnosing you - is your GP. They can refer you to a broad range of services, depending on your need. They will also be able to direct you to more informal options, such as the Safe Haven.

As with all mental health issues, the solution or the type of treatment is very much dependent on what the issue is. If, for example, you are experiencing anxiety or you are stressed or struggling with phobias, you can pick up the phone and call TalkPlus. For many people, regular counselling can help them to address the cause of their problems, whether it lies in work, relationships, drink, drugs or another area.

For some people, their poor physical health can lead to them becoming mentally unwell. A new scheme in North East Hampshire and Farnham aims to address both physical and mental health needs of individuals together to tackle this phenomenon.

People with more serious mental health problems may be prescribed medication for their condition. It is extremely important for their own wellbeing that they continue to take this medication. If they experience any trouble with any medication they should seek help from their doctor or consultant as soon as possible.

The key with mental health problems is not to try to ignore them because, left on their own, they will most likely grow and get worse.

Safe Haven Café

An out-of-hours, drop-in style café for people experiencing a mental health crisis, or who are on the verge of one. This groundbreaking approach to mental health crisis care was based on the suggestions and requests of people who actually use the service and has proved remarkably effective, bringing about a reduction in local acute psychiatric admissions to hospital.

The original café in Victoria Road in Aldershot has now been replicated at five locations across Surrey.

See here for details.

Young Persons Safe Haven

Loosely modelled on the adult Safe Haven (see above), this service was devised and designed in line with responses from hundreds of local schoolchildren. It is for children aged 10 to 17 and is also open to any parents who are concerned about their children.

As well as working with individuals, the service also works with a number of schools in the area to teach their staff about aspects of mental health support.

Click here for more information.

The Oasis

Out-of-hours crisis support in Farnborough. This is a drop-in service, allowing visitors to speak with trained mental health staff, to each other or to sit quietly, safe in the knowledge that support is close at hand. In its first year the service contributed to a large drop in the numbers of people from Farnborough being admitted to A&E for mental health reasons.

Open 6.30pm to 9.30pm, seven days a week.

86 Cove Road
Farnborough
GU14 0EU

The Source – Youth Support Services

The Source Cafe - Suite 3, Wesley Chambers, Queens Road, Aldershot - has been open since October 2000 and remains Aldershot's only youth cafe - a drug and alcohol free social place for young people to meet in the evening.

The building is kitted out with a kitchen, games room and lounge, and is equipped with the latest games consoles and table sports. It's a safe, drug and alcohol-free place that's so rare in any town, let alone Aldershot.

Open four nights a week as a drop-in, what young people get from a night at The Source is outside of what could be their normal night out. It's safe, it's fun and it's fulfilling.

It can offer a range of arts and crafts for anyone feeling crafty or who needs to express themselves in big and small ways.

Visit the website for more information.

Combat Stress

The UK's leading veterans' mental health charity, treating a range of mental health conditions, including Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, depression and anxiety.

website: http://www.combatstress.org.uk/

email: helpline@combatstress.org.uk

Call on: 0800 138 1619 or send a text to: 07537 404 719

Connect Counselling Service

A Camberley-based Christian counselling service.

website: http://www.connectcounselling.org.uk/

email: info@connectcounselling.org.uk

Tel: 01276 24210

Address: 8 Portesbery Road, Camberley, Surrey GU15 3TA

TalkPlus

TalkPlus is a team of therapists, counsellors and psychologists. They offer a range of treatments to people who are experiencing symptoms of low mood and depression, anxiety, worry, stress, social anxiety, OCD, PTSD, phobias, insomnia, relationship issues and low self-esteem.

You can download guided self help leaflets and access a range of courses, including:

• anxiety
• guided self help
• long term conditions
• overcoming low mood and worry
• work stress
• mindfulness-based cognitive therapy course for depression, anxiety and pain

There are also MP3 downloads which you can download to listen to.

TalkPlus services can be provided face-to-face or over the telephone.

If you are a patient of a GP in Rushmoor, Hart of Farnham then you can either self-refer or be referred through your GP.

Nearly all TalkPLUS courses are held at the main location in The Meads Business Centre, Farnborough.

TalkPlus has three locations where clinics are held in addition to GP practices across the area.

• The Meads Business Centre, FARNBOROUGH
• St Paul’s House, FARNHAM
• 121 Albert Street, FLEET

email: Nehccg.talkplus@nhs.net

website: https://www.talkplus.org.uk/

Tel: 01252 533355

Mental Health support                  

The Wellbeing Centre – 01252338810

The Welcome Project – 01483590150

North East Hants Community Mental Health Recovery Service – 01252328080

Surrey Heath Community Mental Health Recovery Service – 01276605522

CAMHS Surrey - Mindsight

Mental Health Services for Children and Young People

The health and social care partnership for children and young people with mental health problems and learning disabilities living in Surrey.

Website: sabp.nhs.uk/mindsightsurreycamhs

Tel: 0300 222 5755

CAHMS Hampshire

Children and Adolescent Mental Health Services (CAMHS) are made up of specialist teams offering assessment and treatment to children and young people up to age 18 who have emotional, behavioural or mental health problems.  People can talk to a GP, teacher or social worker about getting an appointment if they think they need specialist support.  Or they can self-refer by calling 0300 304 0050, Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. Trained mental health staff will be on hand to talk about the issues the person is experiencing and how the service, or one of its partner organisations, may be able to help.  Full details and a referral form available from www.sussexpartnership.nhs.uk/service-hampshire-community-teams#locations-list-1968

Mental Health Crisis Helpline

Provided by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust

0300 456 8342

(Or text to get a call back on 07717989024)

Community Paediatric Service

The new age 0-19 developmental paediatric service started on 1st April 2017 and is delivered by Children and Family Health Surrey - an alliance formed by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (SABP), CSH Surrey, and First Community Health. To find out more visit www.childrenshealthsurrey.nhs.uk/services/developmental-paediatricians.

We also have a new bespoke service for North East Hampshire children aged 6 to 11 with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder or Autistic Spectrum Condition. This service is provided by Surrey and Borders Partnership NHS Foundation Trust in partnership with Beacon and Psicon. Existing patients will be contacted and offered appointments shortly.

If you are unsure of which service your child should receive support from, please speak with your GP or contact the advice lines below.

Useful contact details

• 0-19 general community paediatric (including children aged 0-5 with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder or Autistic Spectrum Condition) - email veronicajones@nhs.net or call 01276 454140 or 454141.
• North East Hampshire children aged 6 to 11 with Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder or Autistic Spectrum Condition - call 0300 222 5755.
• North East Hampshire children age 12 and over – call Sussex Partnership NHS Foundation Trust Children and Adolescent Mental Health Service on0300 304 0050, Monday to Friday between 9am and 5pm. 
• Farnham children age 6 and above – call Mindsight on 0300 222 5755.

Vulnerable person in need of support?

Hampshire Social Services

Tel: 0845 603 5630  (Out of hours – 08456004555)

Surrey Social Services

Tel: 0300 200 1005  (Out of hours – 01483 517 898)

Fleet OCD (Obsessive Compulsive Disorder) & BDD (Body Dysmorphic Disorder) Support Group

The user-led group aims to support, educate and raise awareness of the conditions. It is supported by national charity OCD Action.

It meets on the first Wednesday of every month, from 7pm to 9pm, at The Key Centre, Elvetham Heath.

Contact Angela Forster on 01252 819 431 or via email: ocdfleet@gmail.com

Community Access Project

What does the service provide? Friendly, impartial advice on coping with a wide range of daily living activities including: keeping appointments, socialising and hobbies, encouraging good housekeeping skills, information seeking, and other personal goals.  Support to return to education and access other services.  

Who is the service for?  People aged between 18 and 65, living in Aldershot, Farnborough and Fleet areas.  You can access the service if you are experiencing mental distress and you do not have support from any other mental health worker or receive any other one-to-one support from other agencies.  

email broadhurstcap@hotmail.co.uk

Tel: 07894 606 244

Farnham Bipolar UK support group

Free to attend and open to anyone affected by bipolar, including family, friends and carers.

Meets on the 2nd Monday of every month.

Time: 7.30pm - 9.30pm

Location: Vineyard House, Church House, Union road, Farnham. GU9 7PT

website: https://www.bipolaruk.org/farnham-support-group

Tel: 0207 931 6480