Mental Health & Wellbeing Resources
There are times in our lives when we frankly just feel rubbish. This can be due to external influences, or because our brains feel overwhelmed and anxiety creeps in. There are some powerful stats out there that prove that mental health issues are more common than we might realise, eg;
2 in 3 football fans have struggled with their mental health (Samaritans).
People reporting self-harm went up by 62% between the years 2000–2014 (that means it more than doubled) [2].
People reporting having had suicidal thoughts within the past year went up by 30% between the years 2000–2014 [2].
The number of people who self-harm or have suicidal thoughts is rising faster than the number of people experiencing mental health problems overall [2].
Here are some resources there for you or anyone that might benefit. Our advice is to stay connected, share with friends and family how you’re feeling and tick off some of the list below, starting with getting close to nature every day. With our love, the BN team xx
Mental Health Foundation 10 Tips
Get closer to nature
Talk to someone you trust for support
Be aware of using drugs and/or alcohol to cope with difficult feelings
Try to make the most of your money and get help with debt problems
Get more from your sleep
Be kind and help create a better world
Keep moving
Eat healthy food
Be curious and open-minded to new experiences
Plan things to look forward to
TIPS FOR COPING WITH STRESS
BREATHING EXERCISE (NHS Website)
If you're sitting or standing, place both feet flat on the ground. Whatever position you're in, place your feet roughly hip-width apart.
Let your breath flow as deep down into your belly as is comfortable, without forcing it.
Try breathing in through your nose and out through your mouth.
Breathe in gently and regularly. Some people find it helpful to count steadily from 1 to 5. You may not be able to reach 5 at first.
Then let it flow out gently, counting from 1 to 5 again, if you find this helpful.
Keep doing this for at least 5 minutes.
WELLBEING AUDIO GUIDES
RELAXATION TRAINING TECHNIQUE here. There are also guides for low mood and depression, Sleep problems, Low confidence and assertiveness, Unhelpful thinking (NHS website)
WELLBEING & MEDITATION APPS
This company has created an innovative, personalized meditation experience that helps people improve their stress, sleep, focus, mood, and more.
From guided meditations to one-on-one coaching, our team of clinical experts and trained coaches work together to bring you science-backed care.
Relieve stress & anxiety with 50,000+ mins of science-backed content
Sleep better with 300+ Sleep Stories, meditations, and music
Navigate life confidently with guidance from our mindfulness teachers
Build healthy habits to support mind & body with our programs & tools
The founders have created a digital tool that is accessible by everyone to meditate and practice mindfulness. The app offers an extensive number of meditations with world-renowned teachers, customizable settings, and daily encouragement.
The central idea in buddhify is that you don’t have to find time for meditation, instead it comes to you. That is why all our meditations are categorised by what you’re doing or how you’re feeling. So you’ll find guided meditations for Walking, Stress & Difficult Emotion, Work Break, Going to Sleep, Waking Up and many other different categories. Written and voiced by our range of hand-picked teachers, the sessions last from 4 minutes all the way through to 30 minutes.
The app includes over 70 sessions – including mindfulness, breathing tools, sleep stories and fitness routines.
With this app, you’re met with a daily mantra, a mindful intention for the day and the opportunity to fill in a gratitude journal. You can also link your Apple Watch to sync up your biometrics with the app, which will make it easier to track things like your heart rate, sleep quality and stress levels before, during and after your sessions.
CHARITY - MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
Mental Health First Aid England
They work towards good mental health for all; as everyone knows, prevention is better than cure. Everything they do is focused on protecting people's mental health.
Mind - the mental health charity.
They exist to make sure no one has to face a mental health problem alone - call 0300 123 3393
If you or someone you know is in crisis, you can get help now.
SAMARITANS
For confidential support, the Samaritans can be contacted by calling 116 123 or by emailing jo@samaritans.org
TV INDUSTRY - MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT
If you work in film, TV, or cinema, they’re available to support you, whether you’re freelance or salaried. They provide in the moment, practical support with mental and physical health – everything from a listening ear when you need one through to counselling.
The Film and TV Support Line including the Bullying Pathway Service - 0800 054 0000
INDUSTRY FACEBOOK GROUPS
A space for TV Mums and Mums-to-be to connect, share knowledge, advice on Facebook
A place to support the mental health of TV and Film freelancers & improve working practices via Coalition for Change. Founded by @adeelamini.
INDUSTRY TRAINING & COUNSELLING
Solas Mind Mental Health Training
Bespoke therapeutic support services for the TV and Film industry, provided both remotely and in person.
INDUSTRY INFORMATION & GUIDANCE
BFI - Bullying Harassment Racism Prevention
Full details of the principles and guidance for tackling and preventing bullying, harassment and racism in the screen industries commissioned by the BFI and supported by organisations across the UK.
Directors UK – Bullying & Harassment, A Handbook for Screen Directors
MENTAL HEALTH - LEARNING RESOURCES
Future Learn
Mental health and wellbeing in the modern workplace
MHFA England - training courses
Screenskills
Leadership and management essentials (essential key learnings course)
Encouraging Good Working: In Practice for crew members and managers
Addressing unconscious bias: basic awareness in the workplace elearning module (tackles ‘like bias’s and ensuring a fair process when crewing up)
Tackling harassment and bullying at work e-learning module (builds on principle of zero tolerance guidelines by BFI/BAFTA)
DO YOU NEED HELP ?
We must stress that we are not experts nor medical professionals. We urge you to take professional advice for any situation that is causing you distress. In the UK you can GET ADVICE FROM 111 or ask for an urgent GP appointment if you need urgent help for any situation.
SUGGESTIONS WELCOME
We are aware that this is not an exhaustive list of information and resources. At BNTV we are always keen to learn more and do more to be more inclusive.
Please contact us at info@bloodynorah.com if you have any suggestions for additional resources and information that we can include in this post.