During the week of 15th May it is Mental Health Awareness Week! At Home Instead Northampton Mental Health is just as important as the physical health of our clients and team!
This year on the week of 15th to 21st May it is Mental Health Awareness Week. Every day during this week The Mental Health Foundation aims to bring the UK together to tackle the stigma of mental health. Where Mental Health is such a wide spectrum, the foundation sets a theme each year to focus on- this year the theme is Anxiety.
Anxiety has a common place in most of our lives. Whether this is a fleeting moment or something that stays with us for a long period of time. In fact, The Mental Health Foundation has recently conducted a study and found that 60% of UK adults have experienced feelings of anxiety that have interfered in their lives in the last two weeks. Yet almost half of us feel shame or stigma when we experience anxiety. When thinking about any anxiety you may feel it is important to know and remember – you are not alone.
To feel anxiety can sometimes be overwhelming. For some the anxiety they experience can feel like it physically manifests itself. This can include feeling nauseous, shaky, sweaty, dizzy and heart palpitations, panic attacks and much more. For others, anxiety can lead to sleep deprivation, it can affect your appetite, your whole mood and levels of motivation can be affected. Even your willingness to partake in social activities can be affected- even those who are the most outgoing can find themselves wanting to avoid social situations and stay at home in their sanctuary. Anxiety in the simplest of terms can affect everyone differently.
COPING WITH ANXIETY
For many the hardest step is to talk with someone about the anxiety they are feeling. However, discussing how you feel with someone you trust can also be liberating. You sometimes find that it helps you realise that you are not alone. Through having that discussion with someone, you can also find that a world of support it opened. This could be through suggestions from who you talk to, sometimes by talking your thoughts out loud you can come to some realisations on your own. Other times, those you speak to can suggest other places or ways to help.
Where talking that first step and talking to someone can feel daunting and scary, there are many other things you can try to help ease the anxiety you may feel. These include:
SUPPORTING THOSE WITH ANXIETY
Sadly, we are living in a time of a cost-of-living crisis. This means that many are experiencing anxiety relating to finances. This is scary for anyone, but where bills and shopping bills seem to rise each week, it can cause a great deal of anxiety. At Home Instead Northampton, we are aware of this situation and strive to support both our clients and Care Professionals wherever possible. Where we have clients that may need advice or support to fund the care they need, we can offer advice and direction to where you can gain extra financial support. We will also work with our clients and their families, to work out options that can help ease financial side of care whilst providing the care that our clients want. Where our Care Professionals may be aware of their client’s anxiety around food shopping costs, they will support them with their shopping and be mindful to perhaps suggest other more affordable options for purchases. For our Care Professionals, Home Instead Northampton have an open door for whenever our Care Professionals feel like they may want to talk. We have a food bank for any Care Professional that may be struggling with their shopping due to financial struggles. We will work with our Care Professionals to ensure they have all the support they need.
Where our clients have the same team of Care Professionals, these Care Professionals build lovely relationships with their clients. This means that if a client is struggling or has any feelings of anxiety, they can support them wholeheartedly. For those living with Dementia, anxiety can become commonplace in their lives. Our Care Professionals, however, will know their clients and using their knowledge and the client’s Care Plan, they will know the best ways to support their clients in these moments. It is this personal touch in our Care Plans and the personal touch of our amazing Care Professionals that sometimes makes the biggest difference.
For some to take the step to receive care can be scary. In a world where you have been the one to care for others, or have been so independent in your life, to reach a point where you feel you may need help can be overwhelming. At Home Instead Northampton, we understand that seeking care support can be a big step and we help you with this, holding your hand as you make it. At our client’s initial consultation and care assessment will we have a conversation and get to know you. We will learn about you and your life, your likes and dislikes and learn what you want to gain from care support. We will work with you and your family to build a care plan and package that fits you and what you would like. If you are nervous, or apprehensive about receiving care we will go at your pace. At Home Instead we will never pressure you or dream of making you feel uncomfortable- it is our absolute privilege to come into our client’s homes to support them and be part of their lives.
At Home Instead Northampton, we understand the importance of good mental health. We promote it with our Care Professionals, and always have the time to chat if they ever need it. We support both our clients and their families if they are ever anxious and need a chat.
For more information, below are some links to websites where you can get more information on anxiety and the support you can seek:
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/mental-health-awareness-week
https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/get-help/helpline-services/
https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk/get-help/anxiety-uk-courses-and-groups/