Newsletter - March 2019

Published: 28 January 2019

There’s no health without mental health
Our mental health is just as important to our overall wellbeing as our physical health. From time to time we might not feel as well mentally as we would like; it’s nothing to be ashamed of and statistics show that one in four of us will experience mental ill health at some point in our lives.

Whether you’re experiencing anxiety, stress, depression, bipolar disorder, or another mental illness, there is a range of services that can support you to manage your condition. Here is information about just a few:

• The Keep Your Head website www.keep-your-head.com has a range of information and sources of support for children and adults of all ages across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. You don’t need to be a service user to access the site as the information is available to anyone who feels that they need some support with their mental health.
• The First Response Service is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week, to people living in Cambridgeshire and Peterborough. If you are experiencing something that makes you feel unsafe, distressed, or worried about your mental health you can contact the First Response Service by dialling 111 and selecting option 2. More information can be found on the website at http://www.cpft.nhs.uk/about-us/mental-health-crisis.htm
• STOP Suicide is a suicide prevention campaign which “seeks to alert communities across Cambridgeshire and Peterborough to the warning signs of suicidal behaviour and reassure them that an open and honest approach to suicide is the best way to prevent it.” More information can be found on the website at https://www.stopsuicidepledge.org/resources-and-information/
• The Psychological Wellbeing Service can be accessed by anyone registered with a GP in Cambridgeshire, Peterborough, Oundle, or Wansford – you don’t need a referral. This IAPT service helps people aged 17+ who are suffering from mild to moderate depression and anxiety and offers short-term treatments with a focus on 'here and now' problems. Information about the Psychological Wellbeing Service can be found at http://www.cpft.nhs.uk/services/pws/psychological-wellbeing-service.htm
• If you feel like you’d like some support for your mental you could also speak to your GP. Your GP might refer you to talking therapies, suggest you try things like mindfulness or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy, or they might prescribe medication.  All can be effective in helping to manage a range of mental health conditions.

Arts on Prescription
This is a service provided by the charity Arts and Minds.  Free daytime workshops are led by professional artists and supported by a qualified counsellor, and take place weekly. Art workshops are available for anyone experiencing depression, stress or anxiety.   It is not art therapy, although participants have said they find it therapeutic!

Workshops are held at the Museum of Archaeology and Anthropology (Maa), Downing Street, Cambridge, CB2 3DZ. 1-3pm on Tuesdays. To sign up please email mindsarts@gmail.com.

More evening and weekend GP appointments available
Did you know…You have access to evening and weekend GP and nurse appointments? Appointments may not be at this practice, but if you talk to our receptionists, they will help you find the right service and at a time that is convenient.  Contact our reception team to find out more.

Carers Support Meetings
Meetings held on the first Wednesday of every month. If you are a carer, please pop along and get some support from other people in the local community. Refreshments provided, no need to pre-book and completely FREE! Please contact Sue Lawson at the surgery or email her at susan.lawson7@nhs.net for more information.

Cambridgeshire Hearing Clinics
The next Hearing Aid Clinics at Willingham Surgery are on Weds 20th March, Weds 17th April and Weds 15th May from 2:00pm-4:00pm.  No appointment necessary, just pop along for your free NHS hearing aid batteries and for help and advice regarding hearing loss.

A&E is not an alternative to a GP appointment. If we are closed, please call 111.