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Together, UK Mental Health Charity working alongside each person with mental health issues on their journey towards greater wellbeing. Trusted experts in service user involvement

Advice

We find in our work that listening to the advice of people who have experienced what it is like to have mental health difficulties at some stage in their lives to be incredibly useful.
On this page you’ll find ten pieces of advice from our National Steering Group (NSG), the members of which have all had mental health issues themselves, about what they have learnt from their experiences. We hope you find them useful too.
If you are in distress and need immediate assistance, please visit our links page for helpline numbers.

Advice from people who have been there

  • It will get better so don’t give up hope
  • Don’t bottle things up, talk to somebody about how you are feeling
  • Remember that you are not alone or a ‘freak’, lots of people have mental worries at some point in their lives, or a period where they have difficulty coping
  • Don’t feel ashamed, there are stigmatised views in society that affect we feel about ourselves if we are worried about our mental health, and stop some people seeking help. Don’t let this happen
  • Seek and accept help that is right for you. In our experience it is more difficult and takes longer to get better on your own
  • Try and find a balance in life that’s right for you, whether its at work or in your personal life
  • Try to stay in touch with friends and family (if they are supportive), even if you’re feeling really rotten
  • Don’t run to stand still, cut yourself some your slack, in the same way you would if you were not feeling well physically
  • Get involved with groups where you can talk to people who have been through similar experiences, it really helps and makes you feel less alone
  • Remember: Body and mind are connected. A healthy body doesn't always equal a healthy mind, but it certainly helps! Mind what you eat and drink be as active as you’re able to

We are the only large mental health charity that has an entire department led, staffed and working for, people with mental health issues, and the NSG is part of this. Find out more about the department here

Get involved

If you would like to share how you’ve got over a difficult time on our website and help other people in the process, email us here, or you can read what advice supporters of Mental Wellbeing Week have already contributed here.
Or why not visit our Voices of Experience page? All of our spokespeople for Mental Wellbeing Week have had difficulty coping at some point in their lives, and are sharing their strategies for survival with others.