Mental Health Awareness Week
Promoting Mental Health Awareness Through Movement
From May 13th to 19th, Mental Health Awareness Week, organised by the Mental Health Foundation, takes centre stage to advocate for mental health awareness and highlight the transformative power of movement and activity. In this blog, we explore the significance of this event, its objectives, and the profound benefits of incorporating movement into our lives for enhanced mental well-being.
Book Recommendations
Childrens Recommendation
Today I Feel Silly: And Other Moods That Make My Day by Jamie Lee Curtis
Through playful rhymes and whimsical illustrations, this book explores different moods and emotions experienced by a young child.
Adult Recommendation
The Happy Kid Handbook: How to Raise Joyful Children in a Stressful World by Katie Hurley
With a focus on promoting resilience and well-being in children, this book offers practical tips and strategies for parents navigating the challenges of modern parenting.
Exam Stressors & Pressures
It's that time again, did you see our blog last year offering tips on this to help and support? It's still helpful now, check it out here.
Where to look for ideas on moving and keeping active: (Suffolk)
Suffolk Sport is a partnership organization that works to increase participation in sport and physical activity across Suffolk. Their website offers information on local clubs, events, and initiatives aimed at people of all ages and abilities.
Website: https://www.suffolksport.com
Active Suffolk is dedicated to promoting physical activity and sports participation throughout the county. Their website provides resources, event listings, and support for individuals, schools, and community groups interested in getting active.
Website: https://www.activesuffolk.org/
The Sports and Leisure section of Suffolk County Council's website offers information on leisure facilities, sports development programs, and initiatives to encourage physical activity across the county.
Website: https://www.suffolk.gov.uk/leisure
Ipswich Fit is a community-based initiative aimed at promoting health and fitness in Ipswich and surrounding areas. Their website offers resources, advice, and support for individuals looking to get active. Their Wellbeing walks sound great.
Website: https://www.ipswichfit.co.uk/wellbeing-walks/ part of and promoting https://feelgoodsuffolk.co.uk/
Feel Good Suffolk is a community-focused initiative dedicated to promoting mental and physical well-being across Suffolk, UK. Their website serves as a central hub for resources, events, and activities aimed at supporting individuals in improving their overall health and happiness
These websites offer a wealth of resources, support, and advice for individuals and families interested in participating in sports and physical activities in Suffolk.
WOMBLE PUPDATE!
Womble has been hard at work at the centre, getting used to being in the therapy room, not only behind the reception desk. Room 3 is his favourite room, when not running up to Room 8 to see who’s about.
But Womble has also been enjoying some fun time and getting silly with others on his Suffolk Canine Crèche Days. He loves to get silly and involved as you can see!
Something going on locally
For events and updates going on locally, you could visit and signup to Getting Connected Newsletter by Ipswich & East INT & Connect Development Team
https://view.pagetiger.com/deaodtc/newsletter
Kooth
Kooth have some resources on support for Exam season, check it out here:
With many young people preparing for their upcoming exams this term, Kooth is also here to help with any stress or anxiety they may be feeling. They have a support guide for you to share with young people on coping with exam stress, an exam stress recorded webinar, and articles such as “The ultimate exam stress toolkit” that can help.
Interesting Fact
An interesting fact about how movement improves mood is that physical activity triggers the release of endorphins, which are often referred to as "feel-good" hormones.
Endorphins act as natural painkillers and mood elevators, producing feelings of euphoria and reducing stress and anxiety. This phenomenon, often referred to as the "runner's high," demonstrates how even a short bout of exercise can have an immediate positive impact on mood and overall well-being.
So, the next time you're feeling down, consider going for a brisk walk or engaging in your favourite physical activity to boost your mood and uplift your spirits!
BOOKMARKS READY TO GO
We have just had a new print order of Bookmarks arrive! Order yours via our homepage or email us to request more if you’ve run out!
Just let us know the age ranges these would be use for, and roughly how many would be helpful so we can send what you need.
Something to do Together
Each month we’d like share an activity idea activities parents and adults can do to promote engagement and healthy attachments with their children. This Month it’s
Reading Time
As a Child and Adolescent focused service, it’s important to offer tips and promote connecting with Children. We've previously shared how reading can be supportive and helpful in many ways, so just a little reminder that; whilst movement is great for mental health, so is getting connected, and that doesn’t require much movement in all cases.
Womble recommends to establish a regular reading routine where you and your child can enjoy books together, discussing stories and characters, and fostering a love for reading.
It’s normal for children to have to do their school reading, but they can learn just as much listening to you read to them and a short story from you after can make the whole experience much more enjoyable for those reluctant little readers.
You could all try reading the same book on a Sunday morning, to discuss later with dinner! (This works great for couples too!)
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How can therapy with TMH help you, your Child and wider family?
Don’t just take our word for it, read other recommendations HERE
How to become a Counsellor?
Find out more about pathways to train as a counsellor and see how others have progressed or used their degree from The University of Essex including our own Director here at TMH! (There’s more than one pathway)
Are you already a qualified counsellor?
Experienced with a Masters Degree in Counselling Therapies?
Would you like to consider joining the TMH Team?
Email/Call here to express your interest
