October, 2010
The Greys Monument at Newcastle was a buzz of excitement on Saturday 9th October 2010. There was a great variety of music including the jazz music of Soul Train and the West African Kora. Dancing from Lyndy Hop to Capoeira was also on show throughout the day. Adults and children alike also enjoyed the chance to make their own fresh fruit drinks on the smoothie bike
Newcastle Psychological Services along with other partnership organisations hosted this event as part of World Mental Health Day celebrations. The focus of the event was to highlight the benefits of physical exercise on mental health, as well as reducing the stigma associated with such problems. We know that having our 5-a-day keeps our body healthy, but we need to keep our mind healthy too. We all face problems day-to day that can cause stress, sadness and anger and it’s important to recognise the effect this can have on our mind and body.
Mandeep Kallu, Assistant Psychologist states “There is a lot of research that shows the benefits of exercise on our bodies and minds. Exercise helps release ‘feel good’ chemicals in the brain and reduces our feelings of stress and low mood. This can be really helpful in getting a good nights sleep and leaving you feeling refreshed for the day ahead”.
Nazik Nemat, Assistant Psychologist tells us that “doing exercise does not have to be about running on a treadmill for 1 hour. There are projects in Newcastle that aim to make it interesting, such as the Green Gym, a gardening group set up for people who are experiencing stress or low mood problems. Being involved in physical activity helps keep the mind healthy; it can increase your social circle, gives you new challenges and keeps you fit”.
Newcastle Psychology services have a range of free, easy to access courses that gives people more information on how these problems can affect us and useful ways to cope. Colm Gallagher, Assistant Psychologist tells us that “When we have times that get us stressed or feeling low, it can be difficult to step out of the situation and look at things from a different viewpoint, these classes help us to understand the links between our thoughts, body and behaviour and give us new tools to cope”
There are lots of other services that are helpful for people experiencing mental health problems:
Launchpad are a platform for those who’ve experienced mental health problems run by and for service users- find out more by visiting www.launchpadncl.org.uk
The Newcastle and North Tyneside charity AIM (Altering Images and Mentality) promotes positive mental health and tackles discrimination associated with mental health problems- find out more by visiting www.aimmentalhealth.org.uk.uk
HealthWORKS provide support for individuals and groups to make better health choices, such as help with stopping smoking or getting fit- 0191 273 8889.
