'Ladies that Lunch' at Sir Arthur Lucius Curtis Pub (Weatherspoons) for lunch 2 p.m. tomorrow - Thursday 1st October. 

​If interested please book using this link (max 6 people)

Please note that there is no Women's meeting the following week as Frances is away on holiday.

It has been 8 years since Frances Heather decided to grow and setup Creative Options - a community-based, member led charity providing support, encouragement, mentoring, training and opportunities to people living in the Southampton community who have been diagnosed with mental health issues or experiencing psychological and emotional distress. 

We celebrated our 8th year successes at our AGM which took please on 5th September at the Action Church Community Garden, where (as we were restricted on numbers) 29 people attended in person.  The session was live-streamed on Zoom for more people to join in the celebration.

​Creative Options Wednesday 16th September 2020 Quiz Questions
1.       On this day in 1963, which country was formed from a number of countries, including Malaya, Sabbah and Sarawak?
2.       Which food item was advertised using the cartoon characters Snap, Crackle and Pop?
3.       Every August Bank Holiday near Llanwrtyd Wells in Wales, the World Championships for which water-based sport takes place? Is it (a) lake diving, (b) white water rafting or (c) bog snorkelling?
4.       “Freedom” was the first UK top ten hit for which Robbie? Clue: It was a cover of a George Michael song.
5.       Which magician, born on this day in 1956, is known for his large-scale illusions, including making the Statue of Liberty disappear?
6.       What is the only bird that can hover in the air and fly backwards? Clue: It is also the smallest bird in the world.
7.       Which country originated the term “plonk” for wine?
8.       What type of dog is named after a king?
9.       Which singer was known affectionately as “Old Blue Eyes”?
10.     What is beef fillet, cooked in puff pastry called?
11.     What colour is paprika?
12.     Which size of newspaper is smaller, tabloid or broadsheet?
13.     The French term déjà vu, is used to describe an overwhelming sense of familiarity with something that shouldn't be familiar at all. What is the literal translation of déjà vu? Is it (a) already seen, (b) already heard or (c) already spoken?
14.     What are baby goats called?
15.     Which British king suffered from a stammer, as portrayed by Colin Firth in “The King’s Speech”?

Creative Options Wednesday 16th September 2020 Quiz Answers
1.       Malaysia
2.       Rice Krispies
3.       Bog snorkelling. The international event involves swimming two lengths of a 110 m trench in a peat bog, wearing a snorkel, diving mask and flippers
4.       Robbie Williams
5.       David Copperfield
6.       Hummingbird
7.       Australia
8.       King Charles spaniel
9.       Frank Sinatra
10.     Beef Wellington
11.     Red
12.     Tabloid
13.     Already seen
14.     Kids
15.     King George VI

With children and young people heading back to school and university this month, we're encouraging parents and carers to talk about mental health. We recently learnt that less than a third of parents have spoken to their child about their mental health since the start of the summer break.

That's why we've created a brand new resource, designed to help parents and carers start conversations during challenging times.

In this update we're also sharing Abbie's blog with you, as 10 September marks World Suicide Prevention Day. Abbie discusses why it's so important to break the stigma around suicidal feelings.

Read on to see what's coming up over the next few weeks – there are lots of ways to get involved from home!
 
Back to school during coronavirus

Our new survey results show that almost half of 11-18 year olds are worried that returning to education will impact their mental health. We've created a brand new webpage with blogs and tips to help parents and carers start the conversation.
 
Introducing the global anti-stigma toolkit

The Time to Change Global programme partners have developed a new toolkit rooted in the voices of people taking action in Ghana, India, Nigeria, Kenya and Uganda. The toolkit shares ideas, materials and approaches to help change attitudes and behaviours in these locations – alongside powerful stories from inspiring Champions.
 
Share your thoughts on stigmatising media coverage

We know that the media has the power to influence public attitudes, which is why responsible reporting on mental health is so important. While we’ve come a long way in recent years, we sadly still see media coverage that fuels negative stereotypes.

We’re asking for your help to show how this type of coverage affects real people’s lives. Take our anonymous survey to share your thoughts and experiences.

Your responses will help us to challenge stigmatising media coverage and support journalists to report responsibly.
 
TAKE THE SURVEY

​Find out more about this online Festival through September and October - Connections in Creativity - organised by Sarah Haskett of Creative Mental Health to showcase creative talent and raise funds for the Good Mental Health Cooperative. 

Started on Friday 11 September, with a burlesque and cabaret dance act at 8pm. The amazing talented ladies of Portsmouth's Rock with the Foxes will be live streamed to Facebook and Youtube channels.

​Help Prevent Suicide!
by Carolyn Barber

Yesterday, on 10th September, it was World Suicide Prevention Day.  This is an opportunity for people and organisations across the globe to raise awareness about suicide and suicide prevention. So I'm going to use this opportunity to share some information about the rate of suicide and self harm, and also signpost you to some recommended on-line training to help people respond in situations where they are really concerned about someone else's thoughts or intentions.

The most recent report produced by the Samaritans in 2018 shows a worrying increase in suicide rate across the UK. In 2018, 6507 people took their own lives, 75% were male and 25% female. This was an overall increase of 10.9%, the highest annual rise since 2013. In the UK, suicide rates among young people have been increasing in recent years, and the suicide rate for young females is now at its highest rate on record.

This is what the Samaritans report says about the reasons why young people take their own lives:

"Suicide is complex and is rarely caused by one thing. It usually follows a combination of adverse childhood experiences, stressors in early life and recent events. Research shows that bereavement, abuse, neglect, self-harm, mental or physical ill health, and experiencing academic pressures are just some of the common risk factors for suicide among young people. Of course, though, most young people will experience these stresses and not go on to take their own lives.

• Workplace, housing and financial problems were more common for 20-24 year-olds
• Academic pressures and bullying were found to be more common before suicide in young people under 20
• Suicide-related internet use was found in 26% of deaths in under 20s and 13% of deaths in 20-24 year-olds"

A major concern, also highlighted by the Samaritans report' is the increase in self-harm among young people over the last 15 years. There are many different definitions of self harm but the Samaritans define this as "any deliberate act of self-poisoning or self-injury without suicidal intent."

Self-harm is a sign that someone is experiencing serious emotional distress and, while most people who self-harm do not go on to take their own life, it is identified as a strong risk factor for future suicide attempts.

The Zero Suicide Alliance provide a range of awareness training options, which provide a better understanding of the signs to look out for and the skills required to approach someone who is struggling, whether that be through social isolation or suicidal thoughts. These start with brief training sessions which aim to give you the skills and confidence to help someone who may be having suicidal thoughts. The focus is on breaking the stigma and encouraging open conversations.

Click here to find out more about Resources for Resilience - online links to help you take care of your mental health.

Creative Options Wednesday 9th September 2020 Quiz Questions
​
1.       Today is the third National Emergency Services Day. Why do you think today’s date was chosen? Clue: It starts at 9:00am.
2.       On this day in 1941, Otis Redding was born. In his most famous song, where was he sitting?
3.       What is the name of the British sport that involves hurling a Wellington boot as far as possible from a standing or running start?
4.       Name the following celebrity: It is his 60th birthday today and he first became known for playing Charles in the movie Four Weddings and a Funeral.
5.       Which city is further north, London or Calgary?
6.       On this day in 1952, the musician Dave Stewart was born. He was one-half of the Eurythmics with which singer?
7.       What slogan has KFC recently dropped from its advertising due to the coronavirus pandemic?
8.       Who is older, Queen Elizabeth II or David Attenborough?
9.       Which animal has the highest blood pressure? Clue: Its blood has to be pumped quite high off the ground.
10.     Mary, Queen of Scots was crowned on this day in 1543. Who was her well-known royal cousin?
11.     What fruit has varieties called Seville, Blood or Navel?
12.     If something is described as being canary coloured, what colour would it be?
13.     Jean Valjean, Fantine and Javert are characters from which musical?
14.     The birthstone for September is commonly mined in Sri Lanka and comes in a variety of colours, blue being a popular colour. What is the name of the stone?
15.     The Australian flag has the flag of which other country in its upper left corner?

Time to Experiment with Change?
by Carolyn Barber

Among the many news and research updates I follow to try and keep myself up to date, is a national research programme seeking to understand the psychological and social impact of the Covid 19 pandemic. The research study is being carried out by University College London to explore the effects of the virus and social distancing measures on adults in the UK. Over 70,000 participants fill in a weekly survey to share their views and experiences.

According to the findings from this research study in June:

"depression and anxiety levels dropped in May as lockdown easing began gradually across the UK but ........ remain worse in people living alone and with lower household income. The majority of people are not stressed about catching Covid-19, although it is notable that younger adults are equally as stressed as older adults despite the risk of serious complications being lower for them, suggesting an altruistic concern about passing the virus onto other more vulnerable people."

Further reports from the survey suggest that rates of depression continued to decline as the lockdown measures eased, particularly among younger people. Throughout the pandemic, the researchers have found that

"people from black, Asian or minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds have had higher levels of depression, anxiety and loneliness across the pandemic, and lower levels of happiness and life satisfaction. They have also been more worried about unemployment and financial stress."

Their latest report, for August, focused on people's attitudes to changing lifestyles. Only 10% believed that they would go back to living exactly as they had before! Here were a few of the headline figures:

• About half (51%) felt they were 'more likely' on balance to return to how things were before
• 40% said they would increase their support for local business
• Around a third (35%) thought they would exercise more
• A third (33%) felt they would save more money
• A fifth (22%) felt they were 'more likely' to change things
• 9% said they would change their job

One thing is certain - more change is on its way. Some changes we can't control, and others we can. How do you respond to change? How are you maintaining your emotional resilience given the uncertainty still about the future. Back in March, in the first of my weekly lockdown blogs I shared an image of the Change Curve. This is based on the work of Elizabeth Kubler Ross around dying, grief and loss, and demonstrates how normal it is to go through different stages of emotional and mental distress when faced with change, let alone the extraordinary events which have unfolded in the past six months.

Maybe collectively we're now in an experimental phase, testing out new ways of living, working and socialising?

At the Good Mental Health Cooperative, we believe that connecting with others, and informal arts and wellbeing learning activities, are really important ways to take care of our mental health, and build the emotional resilience we need to get though these difficult times.


Please click here to complete this very short survey
on the future of the Mental Wealth Academy.
Be great to get your feedback!

Now that the funded Mental Wealth Academy programme has ended, we've decided to continue to keep the courses available with a small charge. Many people have said they would be willing to pay, and this means we can be more sustainable in the longer term. We have kept a concession fee for those on low income, and even a 'crisis' option (no questions asked) if someone is really unable to pay.

Full details available on this link:

http://mwa.goodmentalhealth.org.uk

Mondays:-
Photography - meeting up as arranged with Gerard  to take photographs or photo chat on zoom
The photography and computer club start at the Action Church Warren Crescent at the end of the month.
​
Singing -
meeting in the open air (weather permitting) Mondays 2 p.m. onwards in East Park near the rose garden or otherwise on zoom (see code on the what's on diary) - singing will be rearranged in an indoors location as soon as it is permitted.

Tuesdays:-
fitness on zoom with Julie
meet up for sports and exercise - call Julie on 07785 519609

Wednesday :-
the drop-in in the community garden.
10.30 - 2.30 p.m. - open to all now (maximum of 30 people at any time)
bring own sandwiches
refreshments available (free tea, coffee, biscuits) 
quiz followed by mindfulness meditation and wellbeing talk then craft group or optional social activities.
The drop-in will be live streamed via. zoom on the quiz code for quiz and wellbeing.

Thursday:-
art on zoom 11 a.m. 
Women's group is on zoom on Thursday 2.30 p.m. and an outing once a fortnight - next outing next week.

Friday:- men's group - to be confirmed - contact David on 07554 586875
either on zoom or meeting up in various locations.

Art club 2 p.m. - meeting on location - usually in the common or other location.
this week - on the common at 2 p.m. - don't forget to bring art bags and a drink.

Dear all,
I hope you are well.
I wanted to let you know we have started a crowdfunding project for which we are aiming to raise £23,000. We would love it if you could donate using the link below to access our project page. Any contribution large or small will be hugely appreciated. Thank you. Please share with your friends on facebook, twitter or other social media. Many thanks!

Establishing hope: https://www.avivacommunityfund.co.uk/establishing-hope

FRANCES HEATHER

An explosion of mindfulness
by Carolyn Barber

In our recent Trialogue discussion event, one of the participants talked about how mindfulness had really taken centre stage in terms of coping strategies during lockdown. Certainly in our earlier survey in May, many people focused on ‘acceptance’ and ways to stay in the present moment, to help manage the rollercoaster of emotions, anxieties and overwhelming stress they were experiencing during the Covid 19 health crisis.

As a new stage of adapting to life with coronavirus is emerging, it's perhaps time to take another look at how mindfulness can help with our mental and emotional resilience during the tough times which still lie ahead.

Breathing, noticing and concentration, are all skills which can be developed through mindful meditation exercises. Learning the habit of paying attention 'in the moment' often helps us feel more relaxed and calm, but more importantly it helps us to observe our thoughts and feelings without becoming overwhelmed by them. This then enables us to respond consciously, rather than react on autopilot, to difficult situations.

Mindfulness programmes are now used by health services to help people with conditions as diverse as chronic pain, heart disease, anxiety, psoriosis, sleep problems and severe depression. But there are many simple mindful exercises, short meditations, connecting mindfully with our senses and the natural world about us, that help us to connect with the present moment.

Why not try this 3 step exercise?

• observe 5 specific objects around you
• close your eyes and identify 5 sounds you can hear
• notice 5 sensations you can feel either in or on your body

​Now reflect on what you noticed doing that exercise.

There's still time to register for the Mental Wealth Academy mindfulness course for free, where you can access recordings with mindful exercises and guided meditations.