Emotional wellbeing stall at Ridings shopping centre

Shoppers at Wakefield’s Ridings shopping centre were being offered help and advice on how to stay emotionally well at a unique mental health stall. South West Yorkshire Mental Health Trust – which runs Fieldhead hospital – ran the stall ahead of Mental Health Action Week which takes place 8th -14th April.

Visitors to the stall had the chance to make stress balls, learn simple steps on how to relax and get information on mental health related topics such as alcohol and drug abuse and eating disorders. There was also information available on the services that are available in Wakefield to help people with mental health problems and their carers.

Speaking at the event PALS (patient advice and liaison) manager, Linda O’Gorman said, "The idea of the stall is to show people that we all experience problems that affect us emotionally such as redundancy, bereavement, illness and relationship breakdown. These problems can affect our emotional wellbeing and may make us feel stressed, down, or anxious. So we all need to make sure we look after our mental health as well as our physical health. It’s important to remember one in four of us will experience a mental health problem in a year."

She continued, "We have been telling people how they can look after their emotional wellbeing, and giving out information on mental health problems. Lots of people have been interested in the stall – many people have taken leaflets or come for a chat. Hopefully we’re also reducing the stigma around mental health problems and making sure people know that there is help out there."

If you are concerned about your own mental wellbeing or have any issues or concerns, speak to your GP. They will be able to give you advice and refer you to any specialist help you may need.