Oxford,
23
January
2018
|
07:00
Europe/London

Small lifestyle changes can make a difference to mental wellbeing

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Mental Wellbeing SHORT_1

Small changes to people’s lifestyles can improve mental wellbeing – and the county council’s public health experts, libraries and mental health charity Oxfordshire Mind are joining forces to get the message across.

Mental wellbeing encourages adoption of healthy lifestyles, is associated with better physical health and improves management of long-term illness.

Poor mental health also has extreme cost implications, not only to individuals and families, but to society as a whole. Poor mental health costs the NHS £70 billion pounds per year.

Oxfordshire Library tour starts on ‘Time to Talk Day’ - 1st February

A series of events at 14 of the County’s libraries begins on 1st February at County Library, with each library hosting a ‘Tea and Talk Day, aimed at connecting people and promoting discussion about mental wellbeing.

 

Speakers at the Event

Speakers will include Cabinet Member for Public Health and Education Councillor Hilary Hibbert-Biles, Oxfordshire Mind’s Trustee Nicholas Welch.

 A video that focusses on the Five ways to wellbeing will be used and how the library resources can support people who may be suffering with mental health problems will be addressed, as well as paintings by a service user who has turned his life around through learning. The Book Oxfordshire Mind produced for World Mental Health Day will be on display and available for people to read.

The Five Ways to Wellbeing

  • Connect
  • Be active
  • Take notice
  • Keep learning
  • Give

Coping with challenges

Oxfordshire County Council’s Cabinet Member for Public Health Hilary Hibbert-Biles said: “Raising awareness around Mental Health and being able to talk about it is extremely important. Mental wellbeing impacts individuals, families and communities by incorporating the ‘Five Ways to Wellbeing’ it enables people to cope with the challenges and stresses of life, encourages interpersonal relationships, and helps contribute to their community and society.”