HEALTH MATTERS

DR Ian Hulme, clinical lead for mental health at NHS Eastern Cheshire Clinical Commissioning Group, and GP with Meadowside Medical Centre, Congleton MENTAL Health Awareness Week (May 14 to May 20) is about stress and how we’re coping with it focusing on helping employees and employers create a mentally healthy workplace where everyone feels valued and supported. There is a range of information, guidance and support on how you can achieve this at www.mind.org.uk.

We all know what it’s like to feel stressed – it’s part of everyday life but when you’re overwhelmed by stress it may lead to mental health problems or make existing problems worse.

NHS Eastern Cheshire CCG is committed to maintaining and improving the mental wellbeing of its staff and wider population alike. One of the ways we’re doing this is through the Talking Therapies service designed for people with mild to moderate stress, anxiety or depression.

Provided by Peaks & Plains Housing Trust, Macclesfield, the service is offered in one-to-one or group sessions to promote mental wellbeing by using techniques including mindfulness. The focus of Talking Therapies is prevention and early intervention, to stop people developing serious mental health problems.

To mark Mental Health Awareness Week Talking Therapies will launch a Wellbeing Hub in Gilchrist Avenue, on Macclesfield’s Weston Estate. Open on Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 10am to 3pm, the hub will host groups, drop-ins and one-to-one sessions. The hub is fully accessible to people with disabilities, has a bus stop nearby and also offers parking. Activities will include coffee mornings; craft sessions; relaxation and quizzes; peer support and friendship groups and talks by local organisations. For more information visit mytalkingtherapies.com.

Of more than 500 people helped by this service in its first year, 63 per cent recorded improved mental wellbeing scores after finishing their programme. Testimonials include:

“I cannot tell you what a difference this group has made to my life.”

“My partner told me last week I come back from the group with a spring in my step.”

“I didn’t realise there are other people like me. I thought I was alone.”

Peaks & Plains is running groups throughout 2018 to help people develop self-belief, confidence, resilience and an appetite for personal growth. Subjects discussed include self-awareness – negative thinking, emotional reasoning, building self-esteem and mindfulness – breathing techniques, reducing stress, thoughts and senses.