Mental Health
Approximately 1 in 4 people in the United Kingdom will experience a mental health issue per year and in England alone, 1 in 6 people report experiencing anxiety and depression.
At Moatfield Surgery, we not only want to help you to manage your current health needs but also to prevent further mental health problems from developing. Taking more exercise, having a healthier diet, achieving a healthy weight, stopping smoking and drinking less alcohol can improve your mental health and help prevent many long-term conditions, and will help you to feel better in the long run!
This page contains resources to help you feel your best, and stay on top of your mental health.
GETTING HELP FOR DEPRESSION
"I found that with depression, one of the most important things you could realize is that you're not alone." Dwayne Johnson
Symptoms of Depression
- Fatigue
- Continuous low mood or sadness
- Feeling hopeless
- Low self-esteem
- Frequently tearful
- Feeling guilt/shame-ridden
- Feeling irritable and intolerant of others
- Having no motivation or interest in activities
- Feeling suicidal or inclined to self-harm
For more symptoms, please visit the NHS website
How can I support a loved one with Depression?
There are plenty of things that one can do to make a loved one or family member with depression feel loved and cared for. Let them know you are there for them, and accept them as they are, without judgement. Gently try and encourage them to seek help and help themselves. Reach out to them, as people with depression may tend to isolate themselves. Try to be patient with them, recovery takes time. Ensure you are helping yourself and protecting your own mental health too. For more information on how to support a loved one in their recovery, please visit MIND
Supporting myself with Depression
We understand that getting help for your Depression can feel like an impossible task when day to day-already feels too much. It's important to try and speak to someone about how you are feeling as a problem shared is a problem halved. Also, try 15 minutes of mindfulness a day, ensure to do some self-care and spend some time in nature. All of these things can improve our mental health and make the impossible begin to feel possible again. For more information on how to support yourself, please visit the NHS Website
Getting Help for Anxiety
“Worry often gives a small thing a big shadow.” — Swedish proverb
Symptoms of anxiety
- Restlessness
- A sense of dread or fear
- Feeling constantly "on edge"
- Difficulty concentrating
- Irritability
- Panic attacks
For More symptoms, please visit the NHS Website
How can I support a loved one with anxiety?
There are a few things that we can do to support our loved ones and family. Encourage them to breathe deeply and slowly to help regulate their nervous system. At times of heightened anxiety, tell your loved ones to name something they can hear, something they can feel and something they can see to re-ground them at that moment. If these tips don't work then please ask them if there is anything else that may help them to feel calmer and then assist with this. For more information on how to support a loved one, please visit MIND
Supporting myself with Anxiety
Living with anxiety can be incredibly difficult. There are a few steps you can take that could enhance your chance of calm. Tell someone you trust, how you are feeling, exercise regularly, practice yoga, practice deep breathing techniques, write a journal and learn your triggers, and Avoid Caffeine. For tips on coping with Panic Attacks, please visit MIND.
Getting Help for Addiction
Addiction is a treatable but chronic condition that develops due to environmental factors such as peers or as a way of blocking out difficult emotions
Types of Addiction
Please have a look at the NHS and UKAT website for more information on the below
How can I support a loved one with Addiction?
It is important to hold your loved one accountable and try and keep them on track with their recovery. Try and be understanding of their addiction and mental health but ensure to maintain firm boundaries. If you are struggling to get through to a loved one about their addiction if may be worth arranging an intervention. For more information on supporting a loved one with addiction, please head over to Tri Health
Supporting myself with Addiction
Set a quit date and stick to it. Stay away from triggers (places or people), find distractions that help like a new hobby, find ways of managing your emotions through therapy, exercise, keep a Journal and surround yourself with positive influences that are willing to hold you accountable. For more information on how to support yourself with your addiction, please head over to the NHS website
We have also put together a fact sheet for patients to help you understand the process from Diagnosis to Treatment.
Looking after your mental wellbeing
Meet Sam - Our Mental Health support coordinator who will help develop a personalised support plan in 6 1:1 sessions. Please call us on 01342 327555 to book an appointment with your GP to see if you are eligible for referral today.
Food that can improve your mental health...
For more information on foods that can help your mental health - please head over to Sutter Health
It may be surprising, but there are foods out there that can help to boost your mental health! The foods we eat have an impact on us, and although it won't cure your depression instantly, having a balanced diet can improve your mood and sense of well-being. Some of the foods that may aid your recovery are...
- Plenty of fruits and vegetables
- Foods rich in Omega 3 eg. fish
- Dark leafy vegetables such as Kale
- Nuts and seeds
Exercise that can improve your mental health...
Exercise doesn't just have an impact on our physical health, but can help to boost our Mental Health too! Physical activity releases feel-good hormones like endorphins that boost energy and mood. Some of the good exercises to aid recovery are...
- Walking
- Yoga
- Running
- Meditation
For more information on exercises to improve your mental health, please head over to the mental health foundation
For more tips on how to use exercise to help your mental health please visit
Men's Mental Health
Men aged 40 to 49 have the highest suicide rates in the UK, Mental health statistics show that over a third of men (35%) think they've had a diagnosable mental health condition at some point in their life and 75% of deaths by suicide are men
We have a page dedicated to all things men's health, including sources specifically targeted at men's mental health. For more information please head over to our Mens Health Page.
We also have a page dedicated to Teenager's - Teens Health Page
Every Mind Matters ...
This free online resource helps people take simple steps to look after their mental health, improve their mental well-being and support others too.
It offers a range of resources that help spot the signs of common mental health concerns, offers practical self-care tips and guidance and, importantly, explains when to seek further support. It also has a free NHS-approved online tool the Every Mind Matters Your Mind Plan.
OTHER Resources and Information
What to do in an emergency?
Dial 999 in times of crisis or alternatively, you can contact the Samaritans on 116 123
For urgent medical attention, your options are Accident & Emergency (A&E) and Emergency GP appointments.
For urgent medical advice, you can call the NHS 111.
Revised 29/06/2023