Skip to main content

Let’s Talk About Mental Health!

Presented by: Julie Carnell

Key Message:
"Mental health issues can eat away at your identity. By reaching out for help, you can begin to heal."

Our Vision:
"Better Mental Health For All"

Our Values:

  • RESPECT
    • Respect for the individual.
  • PARTNERSHIPS
    • Working together to be more effective and inclusive.
  • RECOVERY
    • Enabling everyone's unique and personal recovery journey.
  • WELLBEING
    • Educating and encouraging people to look after mental, emotional, and physical wellbeing.
  • PREVENTION
    • Building resilience and challenging stigma in communities.

What is Mental Health?

  • Depression: Low mood that lasts a long time.
  • Bipolar Disorder: Manic and depressive episodes.
  • Schizophrenia: Disorganized thinking and speech.

Personal Reflections:

  • "Why did it feel so hard to reach out to some of my closest friends?"
  • "On bad days, I exist in a world that seems devoid of any colour."

Understanding Anxiety and Stress

  • Anxiety Symptoms:
    • Racing thoughts, constant worry, feeling tense, faster breathing, racing heartbeat, feeling overwhelmed, and fear.
  • Stress Symptoms:
    • Churning stomach, dizziness, pins and needles, restlessness, headaches, sweating, sleep problems, nausea, and changes to sex drive.

Rising Panic, Panic Attacks, and Trauma

  • "There’s a sense that I did something wrong—either that I caused what happened to me, or that I should be dealing with it better."

Declining Mental Health – Signs and Symptoms

  • Sleep problems.
  • Changes in behavior.
  • Poor concentration.
  • Suicidal thoughts.
  • Alcohol or substance misuse.
  • Quietness and withdrawal.

Emotional and Behavioral Indicators:

  • Constant worry, erratic behavior, confused thoughts, emotional outbursts, suspicion, paranoia, sadness, inappropriate emotions, and weight changes.

Signposting and Support

  • Helpline (Freephone): 0800 915 9292
  • Samaritans: 116 123 (Free)
  • Rethink: www.rethink.org
  • CALM (Suicide Prevention Helpline): 0800 585 858 (5 PM–Midnight)
  • National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK: 0800 689 5652 (6 PM–Midnight)
  • Papyrus – Hopeline UK: 0800 068 41 41 (24/7 Young Person Suicide Support)
  • Shout (National Crisis Text Service): Text “Shout” to 85258
  • Birmingham Mind Talking Space:
    • Crisis intervention venues in Erdington, Northfield, and Selly Oak.
    • Open 5 PM–11 PM every day.

Stay Updated:

Follow us on social media for the latest updates.

Contact Us:
We value your feedback! Email us at cdw@birminghammind.org