Our Mental Health Checker supports World Mental Health Day

NHS Direct has launched a new online health checker to provide help and advice for people concerned about their mental health or wellbeing. This supports the aim of World Mental Health Day to enhance treatment for this often misunderstood illness.

The health checker will reach many people who need mental health support and are able to care for themselves. Providing the service as an on-line resource has the potential to help break through the stigma often associated with mental illness.

The checker can help people with low impact long-term issues or people suffering from first time symptoms of stress, anxiety or depression, perhaps in response to the current economic climate, or stressful periods in their life.

How we can help

It works by asking the user a series of questions and depending on the information provided, the tool may suggest a number of options. These include a visit to a GP (either routinely or urgently), directing the user to an appropriate mental health organisation (internal or external to the NHS), or self care advice.

As the checker is integrated with NHS Direct’s contact centres, users can also request a call-back from a trained nurse who can offer further support or advice. As a precaution, the health checker also provides a rapid assessment tool for people who may be feeling suicidal.

Easing the pressure

NHS Direct’s telephone service has dealt with 37,500 calls relating to mental health in the first six months of this year, compared with 32,500 calls in the same period last year. The mental health checker will help support this increase in demand for advice and support.

The three most common reasons for calling are depression, thoughts of suicide and when someone had taken an overdose.

NHS Direct’s top tips for people dealing with stress are:

Accept that stress is a natural part of life. A small amount of stress can help you cope with the challenges of daily life, but you need to recognise what is an acceptable level of stress, and what is harmful.

Recognise the signs. Common signs of stress include; feeling easily irritated or angry, feeling very sensitive to criticism, drinking alcohol or smoking more, and difficulty sleeping.

Identify the things in your life that are causing your stress. If you can recognise these things you can begin to find ways of coping with them, or even avoiding them.

Avoid eating high fat, sugary foods. When you are stressed or anxious these will give you an initial burst of energy and then your blood sugar levels will drop quickly leaving you feeling tired and irritable - which also makes it difficult to concentrate. You should also avoid skipping meals as this can lower your blood sugar levels and leave you irritable and short-tempered.

Increase your physical activity. Even a short 10 minute walk can help to improve how you feel and may make you feel less tired. Exercise helps boost your serotonin levels, which are feel-good hormones.

Don’t be afraid to ask for help or take up an offer of help. Sharing your feelings can help and there is plenty of support out there. NHS Direct’s online mental health checker can signpost you to the most appropriate source.

Jacqui Jedrzejewski, NHS Direct National Mental Health Lead says: “Mental health worries are more common in stressful periods of life and can be triggered from something like a job loss or anxiety about the future. However, for some it’s a long-term battle that can be hidden away for fear of stigma and discrimination.

“We want to reduce the stigma associated with mental health and enable more people to evaluate their wellbeing. The mental health checker provides an approachable channel for people to address their problems and get the help and advice they need. The aim is to get people on the right track so that they can get ongoing support.”