Features

Wed, February 01, 2012

SCOTS are being urged to put aside their worries on 1st February 2012, to mark national Breathing Space Day.

Mental health helpline Breathing Space is running the annual event under the title of Well Wednesday and encouraging everyone to take time out to look after their own mental wellbeing.

The campaign is supported by a range of people including Minister for Public Health Michael Matheson MSP, BBC presenter Kaye Adams and players from Motherwell Football Club.

The campaign is being promoted with a touring van featuring prominent messaging supporting Well Wednesday. The tour kicks off at the BBC Scotland studios in Glasgow and will go on to George Square in the city centre, followed by visits to venues across Central Scotland and ending in Edinburgh.

Tony McLaren, Breathing Space National Coordinator explained "Whether it’s financial, work or relationship problems, calls to Breathing Space tend to increase at this time of year. We hope Well Wednesday will encourage people to take a break from their worries; this could mean visiting a local library for a good book to read, going for a walk, or catching up with friends over a coffee to talk things through. By touring our message across Scotland, we hope that many people will be encouraged to get some breathing space to help keep things in perspective."

Public Health Minister Michael Matheson said: “Looking after our mental health and wellbeing is crucial. Time out on the hills climbing or going for a run are usually my Breathing Space. The Breathing Space telephone advice line provides a valuable listening ear and signposting service for people experiencing low mood, depression or anxiety. The annual awareness day is an opportunity to raise awareness of the advice line and the importance of our work to improve mental health and wellbeing in Scotland.”

Breathing Space is also teaming up with NHS Lanarkshire, North Lanarkshire Council, South Lanarkshire Council on Well Wednesday to help launch the Lanarkshire social prescribing project 'Well Connected'. This new social prescribing programme in Lanarkshire has been developed by North Lanarkshire Council, South Lanarkshire Council, NHS Lanarkshire and their partners to support recovery and promote wellbeing. Areas include Physical Activity and Leisure Opportunities, Volunteering, Employment, Arts and Culture, Benefits, Welfare and Debt Advice, Learning Opportunities, Healthy Reading and Self-help Information in Libraries, and Stress Control Classes in Communities.

Glasgow City Council's Executive Member for Social Care Matt Kerr said: "There is still a considerable stigma attached to mental health issues and so it is no surprise that people continue to find mental health something that is difficult to discuss. But it is clear that reaching out to speak to someone can make a huge difference to those who are affected.  Breathing Space is a vital support service that gives people the chance to voice their concerns in complete confidence and hopefully begin to take the first steps towards recovery."

Scottish journalist Kaye Adams, also added her support to Breathing Space Day. Speaking about the importance of everyone taking time out to get their own breathing space, she said: "I would say swimming is my little release. I don't do it often enough but find I can get in the pool with my thoughts all jumbled in my head and slowly they quieten down and become more ordered."

The new Mental Health and Wellbeing zone on the NHS inform website was launched in December 2011, providing a gateway to Scottish-focused information on different aspects of mental health and wellbeing.  The zone also signposts to quality-assured external resources such as websites and self help tools.

Breathing Space has also just launched information through a digital TV channel dedicated to helping people improve their mental health. The channel is provided through NHS 24 and allows access to web-based health information services through the TV using Sky, Freesat for Sky (both channel 539) and Virgin (channel 233 or interactive channel).

 

Notes

• Breathing Space is a free, confidential and anonymous phone service available to anyone across Scotland. Advisors can listen, offer advice and signpost callers onto help in their local area. Call advisors are available 6pm – 2am (Monday – Thursday) and 24 hours at weekends (Friday 6pm –Monday 6am) on freephone 0800 83 85 87. 
  
• Breathing Space offers a British Sign Language (BSL) service on Thursday (6pm-10pm) and Sunday evenings (6pm – 9:30pm) to enable deaf users to utilise the service. This can be accessed via the Breathing Space website.
  
• The service was initially piloted in Greater Glasgow and Argyll back in 2002 and rolled out nationally to the rest of Scotland in November 2004.  Working in partnership with NHS 24, who has operationally managed the service since February 2004, Breathing Space strives to provide an accessible out of hours mental health service for people across Scotland.  
  
• 1st February was chosen to mark Breathing Space Day as it falls within a period in January and February known to be anecdotally associated with an increase in low mood, depression and winter blues. The aim of the day is to get people thinking about what simple things they can do to improve their mental well-being and to be aware that the Breathing Space phone line offers a free and confidential listening and advice service to people who might be in distress. 
  
• Follow NHS 24 and NHS inform on Facebook and Twitter.