How to maintain mental health in the City

Trying to overcome a mental health problem can be an intimidating challenge, but the most important thing to know is that there’s a wide range of advice, services and techniques out there that can help…

City workers talk mental health...

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The Power Of No

Adam Spreadbury, Bank of England

"In the past I have felt overwhelmed with too many competing priorities from work and home. Learning to say no has been important. It makes me feel more in control and helps me focus on what matters most."

Glenn Foster

What Works For You?

Chris Stein, Men’s Health Forum

"The challenge is that there isn’t a one-size-fits-all response to dealing with stress, anxiety or depression. For some, physical activity might be the best thing to do. For others, seeing friends and family, or meditating, might work. Consider what has worked for you in the past in dealing with issues, and try it again to see if it helps."

Glenn Foster

Know Yourself

Stacy Thomson, Mental Health Practitioner and Performance Coach

"Men must take the mental side of their health seriously. It’s not just important to look after your physical self – my top tip is to get to know ‘you’ and to take personal responsibility. Self-awareness provides the best insight into why you feel a certain way and why you’re acting the way you are."

Marek Neumann

Allocate Time To Vent

Andrew Horobin, East London NHS Foundation Trust

"If you find you worry excessively to the point where you start to panic, try to allow yourself a set amount of time to worry, say half an hour, and set the alarm on your phone. During that half hour you can really vent your anxieties and negative thoughts. When the alarm goes, take a deep breath and try to move on. This can be quite challenging but training yourself to contain your anxieties means you’re acknowledging they’re there, but not letting them take over your thoughts. This gives you the power to control them. This may take a bit of practice to achieve."

Marek Neumann

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Published: Wednesday 16th May 2018

Culture

Depression is common.

According to NHS Digital, in England one in six people report experiencing a mental health problem such as anxiety and depression in any given week.

Many of those affected are men.

Depression can be caused by different influences, including genetics and environment. It can cause physical, mental and emotional symptoms and it can range from mild to debilitating – the bottom line is that it affects people in different ways.

To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, mental health practitioners and campaigners have shared their top tips for tackling feeling hopeless, anxious, worried, or helpless.

Expert advice is easily available if you are living with depression and work in the City

There is a wealth of information online about depression, its causes, symptoms and treatments, including on the NHS website.

If you think you are suffering from undiagnosed depression, speak to your GP about the range of talking therapies that are now available, as well as medication if you need it. Expert advice is easily available if you are living with depression and work in the City.

To find out more, visit lifengoal.com/mental-health/

Business healthy by the City of London Corporation

Dragon Café in the City

Dragon Café in the City is a pop-up, drop-in centre for City workers feeling the pressure of day-to-day life or work. The café offers a wide range of free and non-conventional activities designed to boost resilience, enhance coping strategies and tackle common mental health issues such as stress, depression and anxiety, head on.

Activities on offer include therapy sessions, yoga, 15-minute massage, Tai Chi and mindfulness. The programme is designed to tap into creativity and offer a break from the hustle and bustle of the City. There’s no need to pre-register, people can drop in as and when it suits them. Dragon Café in the City is in Shoe Lane Library (Little New Street, EC4A 3JR) and is open from noon until late.

For more information, visit dragoncafeinthecity.com

Wear a green ribbon

The green ribbon campaign is a visual display of support for ending the stigma around mental health, particularly talking about it in a workplace setting. First developed by PwC, the campaign has spread throughout the City, Canary Wharf and beyond, with a huge number of businesses handing out thousands of green ribbons to their staff to coincide with this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week (14-18 May).

Wearing a green ribbon signifies a person is open to talking about mental health and supports co-workers who may be struggling. The aim is to make talking about poor mental health as normal as talking about a broken limb. Many iconic buildings will also be lit up green during the awareness week to draw attention to mental health.

If you’d like a green ribbon, visit thelordmayorsappeal.org/a-healthy-city/the-green-ribbon

Seek advice from an expert

For anyone feeling worried about money issues, relationships, a job, or something else, the City Advice service is there to listen and help. City Advice is free, run by expert advisors and offers confidential, impartial advice to help those working in the Square Mile to manage their everyday problems.

Issues covered by City Advice include debt, legal issues, employment rights, consumer rights, family and relationship problems and more.

For more information, visit toynbeehall.org.uk/city-advice-surgeries

Culture