InfoNOW News mental health awareness week 7th May 2021

During Mental Health Awareness Week 2021, the Foundation will pull together the evidence that demonstrates the powerful benefits of nature for our mental health. They will look at nature’s unique ability to bring consolation in times of stress and also increase our creativity, empathy and a sense of wonder. They will show that even small contacts with nature can reduce feelings of social isolation and be effective in protecting our mental health, and preventing distress.

In this feature issue we are highlighting services and events taking place in Newcastle to help you enjoy nature, look after your mental health and showcase new and existing services.

Useful resources

• Mental Health Foundation have a series of resources to help you connect to nature
• Mind has a series of videos about why we need to raise awareness share stories, connect and respond to each other at this time.
• InformationNOW has a mental health article which lists all the local organisations helping people with their mental wellbeing.
• InformationNOW has a series of activities related to nature that you can do on your own or with someone.

Need help now?

Crisis Resolution and Home Treatment Team Newcastle and Gateshead (CNTW NHS Foundation Trust) provide assessment and home treatment for people over 16 experiencing a mental health crisis. This is an alternative to hospital treatment. The crisis team do not provide an ‘emergency’ service, such as a 999 response, but can be contacted 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

You can refer yourself or make a referral on behalf of someone else by phone.

Qwell: free online counselling and emotional wellbeing platform

New organisation listed on InformationNOW

Qwell is a free, safe and an anonymous mental health and wellbeing online service. There are no waiting lists, no referrals and no thresholds required to access the service. It’s available to anyone aged 26 or over living in Newcastle or Gateshead, in addition to the range of mental health services already available.

You can access online counselling from qualified counsellors from 12pm to 10pm every weekday and from 6pm to 10pm at weekends. You can drop in for one-to-one instant text-based chats or book a session in advance. Peer support is available through moderated discussion forums and self-help through reading or submitting content.

Qwell has been commissioned by Newcastle and Gateshead Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG). It is accredited by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) and delivered by Kooth plc.

Articles updated on InformationNOW this week

• Mindfulness and meditation
• Anxiety
• Sleep
• Mental health

Explore outdoor events on InformationNOW

Visit the Events section on InformationNOW and search for ‘outdoor or nature’ and you will get a full list of local events.

You can even search by postcode to find things near you!

Read more below about events and activities taking place in Mental Health Awareness Week

ReCoCo: The Recovery College Collective

ReCoCo: The Recovery College Collective run a variety of creative, educational and support-based classes. All sessions are free and open to anyone who would find them helpful in their recovery from mental illness, substance misuse, trauma or distress, or to anyone who might find them beneficial to their wellbeing. Upcoming events:

• DBT Skills with ReCoCo Monday 10 May 2021
• Yin/Yang Yoga Monday 10 May 2021
• Welfare Rights sessions with ReCoCo Wednesday 12 May 2021
• Mindfulness with ReCoCo Thursday 13 May 2021
• DBT Skills with ReCoCo Monday 17 May 2021
• Yin/Yang Yoga Monday 17 May 2021
• Welfare Rights sessions with ReCoCo Wednesday 19 May 2021
• Mindfulness with ReCoCo

Peer Talk Whitley Bay and Gateshead

PeerTalk Whitley Bay and Gateshead is a free peer support group for anyone over 18 who faces anxiety or depression. The support groups are facilitated by 2 trained volunteers and offer a friendly, safe space for you to share what’s going on for you.  People in the group respond to you, offering tips and coping strategies that may have worked for them, in the hope that they might help you.

It’s not therapy or treatment, but it’s valuable support from people who understand the ups and downs of mental wellbeing. No need to book, you can just turn up.

Check their social media for more information about the sessions in case there are any changes to times or venues.

Mind Tyneside and Northumberland

Mind provide advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem to live well and manage their lives. They campaign to improve services, raise awareness and promote understanding.

Tyneside and Northumberland Mind offer informal support groups and one to one counselling.

During lockdown they run aFacebook Group – COVID-19 – Looking after your mental health and wellbeing.  This private group provides regular updates and information to enable you to manage your mental health and wellbeing during this period. The aim is to provide a safe space for you to connect with people, support others and share hints and tips on staying mentally well. No referral is needed, just request to join.

Heritage Walks

Walking around an area is a great way to stay active and learn about it’s history. St James’ Heritage & Environment Group, a local organisation based in West Newcastle have produced a set of 4 heritage guides for different neighbourhoods:

• Elswick
• Benwell
• Denton Dene and Old Scotswood
• and the outer west areas of Newburn, Lemington, Bell’s Close and Sugley

Each guide contains short walk trails around local areas and are illustrated with old photographs and map extracts. Find out how to visit sites of historic interest such as the Benwell Roman temple, the Lemington ironworks and the lost village of Paradise on the riverside. There will be a fifth guide available soon, which will contain a longer circular walk trail starting at Newburn Tyne Riverside Park. Read more on their website and to download the free guides. Emailing [email protected] to request a printed copy.

Newcastle United Foundation Wellbeing Workshop

Monday May 10^th  6 to 7pm

Newcastle United Foundation are hosting a wellbeing workshop in aid of Mental Health Awareness Week. The event, held on Zoom, will feature Newcastle United Women’s Captain Brooke Cochrane and Newcastle United Head of Sports Science Jamie Harley who will be sharing their mental health experiences and top tips for looking after wellbeing. To secure your space now sign up via Eventbrite.

Chilli Studios Arts and Mental Health

Chilli Studios is an Arts and Mental Health Charity run via a subsidised membership scheme. Membership is needed for engagement in their activities unless advertised as Public/Free. It is a flexible, accessible membership they are happy to discuss with you. Join them for creative stimulus and social. Using creativity as a focus on supporting your mental health. They offer a range of weekly activities such as:

• Chilli Chat online Monday 10 May 2021
• Let’s Talk Art online Monday 10 May 2021
• Zentangles online Tuesday 11 May 2021
• Print with Dom Tuesday 11 May 2021
• Artist of the day online Tuesday 11 May 2021
• Creative Wellness online Wednesday 12 May 2021

Open call for participants join Rest, Pining and Loneliness workshops

The New Bridge Project

Alongside the launch of the new exhibition Slow Breath, artist Meera Shakti Osborne will be delivering a series of three workshops on the theme of Rest, Pining and Loneliness. Participants will be invited to spend time with a collection of sources (images, texts and artworks), pulled together by Meera to explore each title. The workshop themes have been developed in response to a new film produced by artist Camara Taylor, which will be exhibited throughout May – June 2021 in The NewBridge : Gateshead gallery space. Participants will be selected on a first come first served basis.  Read more about the workshops on InformationNOW and how to get involved.

• Workshop 1: Wednesday 19th May (5 – 6.30pm)
• Workshop 2:  Wednesday 2nd June (5 – 6.30pm)
• Workshop 3: Wednesday 16th June (5 – 6.30pm)

Free Stress and Sleep Workshops at St. James’ Park

Issues with stress and sleep are very common reasons why we can feel unhealthy, unwell or generally not ourselves if they become persistent problems. Newcastle United Foundation offer free Stress and Sleep Workshops to explore what you can do to ensure stress-free days and a good night’s sleep by making just a few small adjustments to your routine. Mental Health First Aid England instructors will guide you through some simple techniques to use to ensure you’re back to feeling better. Stress and Sleep Workshops are organised every month at St. James’ Park.

Read InformationNOW for more on sleep

Alcoholics Anonymous information event for professionals

Tuesday 11 May 2021 10am to 12pm free event

Do you know how to signpost an alcoholic to get support?  More people than ever are reaching out to Alcoholics Anonymous (AA) for help with their drinking. During the coronavirus pandemic, calls to the AA helpline increased by 28% .

AA is running a free information session to help you gain the knowledge you need to support the wellbeing of your team or service users. This is your chance to learn more about alcoholism and the service that AA provides. Book a place here.

Read more on addictions on InformationNOW

Recovery from COVID-19 in Newcastle Consultation

17 May 2021

NewcastleGateshead Intiative on behalf of Newcastle City Council, are undertaking a consultation on the city’s recovery following COVID-19, with a focus on ambitions for Newcastle as a place to live, work, and enjoy in 2030. They would be delighted if you would join their consultation session to give your feedback on your needs and what changes to the city you would like to see over the next 10 years.

They’d like to know what:
•   you like and dislike about living and working in Newcastle
•   you would change about the city
•   they should focus on in the recovery plan. For example, jobs and education, improving public transport links, parks and open spaces, events
•   or anything else that you can think of that will make Newcastle a better city to live, work, study, and invest in.

The sessions will be held on zoom, will last no longer than 90 minutes and will be fully interactive using slido.com, so bring along your phone so you can vote and give feedback as well as joining the discussion. Don’t worry if you don’t have access to a phone or second device there are plenty of opportunities to feedback verbally.

Try a ‘Happy to Chat’ bench this week

Have you spotted a bench with a ‘Happy to chat’ sign on it? All you need to do is sit down and wait for someone to join you for a chat. Or join someone who is already seated for a friendly conversation.

If you pass by a bench that is signless that would be a great place to stop and chat, contact [email protected] to request a sign. They come with cable ties to attach them to a bench.

A study published by the University of Sheffield in 2015 found that sitting on benches allows people to spend longer outside, benefiting mental health and helps connects people within communities. This is important for people who might find social venues like cafes too expensive or too busy.

This project has been implemented through Collaborative Newcastle, a partnership which aims to transform the health, wealth and wellbeing of everyone in the City.

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Kate and Lauren

Prevention, Information and Advice team
InfoNOW news
[email protected]