Tag: mental health

October 9, 2025 Blog

World Mental Health Day – October 10

Why World Mental Health Day Matters

Every year on October 10, the world comes together to raise awareness of mental health. It’s a day dedicated to breaking down stigma, sharing knowledge, encouraging open conversations, and reminding us all that mental well-being is just as important as physical health.

Mental Health in the UK – The Latest Picture

  • 1 in 4 adults in England experience a mental health problem each year (Priory Group).
  • 1 in 6 people report experiencing anxiety or depression in any given week (Mind).
  • Young women (16–24) are the most affected age group, with 28.2% reporting a common mental health disorder.
  • NHS services in England saw a record 5.2 million mental health referrals in 2024, a rise of nearly 40% since 2019 (BMA).
  • Suicides in England and Wales reached 6,069 in 2023, the highest rate since 1999 (ONS).

These figures remind us just how urgent it is to support both those struggling and the people around them.

Recognising Symptoms and Self-Help Tips for Mental Well-Being

Some signs that you—or someone close to you—may be experiencing mental health challenges include:

  • Persistent low mood, sadness, or hopelessness
  • Excessive worry, fear, or agitation
  • Fatigue, poor concentration, or forgetfulness
  • Changes in sleep or appetite
  • Withdrawal from social contact
  • Loss of interest in hobbies or activities
  • Unexplained aches and pains
  • Mood swings or irritability
  • Thoughts of self-harm or worthlessness

If you or someone you know is experiencing thoughts of self-harm or suicide, please seek professional help immediately

Even small steps can support mental health:

  1. Keep a daily routine for stability
  2. Move your body—walk, stretch, dance, or exercise
  3. Eat nourishing foods
  4. Practise breathing or mindfulness exercises
  5. Limit alcohol, caffeine, or substances
  6. Reach out and talk—don’t isolate
  7. Engage in a hobby or something joyful
  8. Celebrate small achievements
  9. Spend time outdoors
  10. Seek professional support when needed

Living with Someone with Mental Health Challenges

Supporting a partner, family member, or friend with mental health problems can be deeply rewarding but also challenging.

How it may affect you:

  • Constant worry or emotional strain
  • Risk of burnout and exhaustion
  • Social isolation
  • Stress-related physical health issues
  • Relationship tension or guilt

Self-care tips for supporters/carers:

  • Set healthy boundaries—remember you can’t pour from an empty cup
  • Talk openly about your own feelings
  • Stay connected with your own support network
  • Schedule time for rest and hobbies
  • Practise relaxation or mindfulness
  • Seek professional guidance if needed

Taking care of yourself is not selfish—it’s essential to your health and your ability to care for others.

How My Therapies Can Support Your Mental Well-Being

Therapies can be a powerful way to reduce stress, restore balance, and improve overall well-being. Here’s how the approaches I offer may help:

  • Bowen Therapy: Gentle, rolling movements that calm the nervous system, ease physical tension, and promote deep relaxation. Many clients report improved sleep and reduced anxiety.
  • Lymphatic Drainage: Helps the body release toxins, reduce inflammation, and boost circulation—leaving you lighter, calmer, and more energised.
  • Psychotherapy: Provides a safe, confidential space to explore challenges, build self-awareness, and develop healthy coping strategies.
  • Emotional Freedom Tapping (EFT): Combines gentle tapping on acupressure points with focused thought, helping release emotional blockages, reduce anxiety, and manage stress.
  • Positive Psychology Coaching: Encourages focus on strengths, gratitude, resilience, and optimism, building tools to thrive—not just survive.
  • Solution-Focused Therapy: Practical, goal-oriented support that helps you move forward by focusing on solutions rather than problems.
  • Relaxation Techniques: Guided breathing, mindfulness, and gentle practices to reduce stress and support calmness.

Each therapy is unique, but all share one aim: helping you feel balanced, resilient, and supported in both body and mind.

Closing Thoughts

On World Mental Health Day, let’s remember: mental health matters every single day. Whether you’re personally struggling, supporting someone else, or simply wanting to strengthen your resilience, you’re not alone.

With the right support—whether through professional services, self-help tools, or therapies—mental well-being is within reach.

If you’d like to explore how my therapies can help you, please reach out—I’d be honoured to support your journey.

Mental Health

October 10, 2023 Blog

Mental Health- recognising the signs and helping yourself.

Bowen for Mental Health

Mental Health Awareness

The global mental health crisis is a major issue facing the world today. The numbers are staggering.  Mental illness affects an estimated 950 million people worldwide and is the leading cause of disability across all age groups. In addition, mental health issues are the leading cause of suicide, accounting for over 800,000 deaths per year.

In recent years there is a clear increase in levels of stress and anxiety, as well as a rise in mental health disorders. The crisis is further complicated by the fact that there is a lack of access to mental health services in many parts of the world, and that stigma and discrimination towards those with mental illness is still prevalent.

In March 2023, the Mental Health Foundation worked with Opinium to conduct an online survey of 6,000 UK adults aged 18+ to look at anxiety in the UK population, its causes, and popular coping mechanisms.

Nearly three-quarters of the population (73%) had felt anxious at least sometimes in the previous two weeks, with one in five people (20%) anxious most or all of the time.

  • Some groups of people are more likely to be affected by anxiety than others. Nearly all young people (18 to 24 years) in our research (86%) had felt anxious in the previous two weeks. For over half (58%), this had stopped them undertaking day-to-day activities. Other groups more likely to report feeling anxious were:
    • Single parents (89%)
    • LGBTQ+ people (89%)
    • Carers (84%)
    • 18 to 34-year-olds (86%)
    • People from a minority ethnic community (84%)
    • People with a long-term physical health condition (LTC) (82%)

Possible Symptoms of Mental Health Problems

Common signs of mental illness in adults and adolescents can include the following:

  • Excessive worrying or fear
  • Feeling excessively sad or low
  • Confused thinking or problems concentrating and learning
  • Extreme mood changes, including uncontrollable “highs” or feelings of euphoria
  • Prolonged or strong feelings of irritability or anger
  • Avoiding friends and social activities
  • Difficulties understanding or relating to other people
  • Changes in sleeping habits or feeling tired and low energy
  • Changes in eating habits such as increased hunger or lack of appetite
  • Changes in sex drive
  • Overuse of substances like alcohol or drugs
  • Multiple physical ailments without obvious causes (such as headaches, stomach aches, vague and ongoing “aches and pains”)
  • Thinking about suicide
  • Inability to carry out daily activities or handle daily problems and stress

Symptoms in children may include the following:

  • Changes in school performance
  • Excessive worry or anxiety, for instance fighting to avoid bed or school
  • Hyperactive behavior
  • Frequent nightmares
  • Frequent disobedience or aggression
  • Frequent temper tantrums

How to avoid mental health issues.

  • Talk about your feelings.
  • Ensure you have a good night's sleep.
  • Eat healthily.
  • Stay active.
  • Practice mindfulness, - be engaged and present in the moment.
  • Keep in touch with friends.
  • Work on relationships by caring for others and letting go of any grudges.
  • Get closer to nature.
  • Avoid or cut down on alcohol.

If you feel you are struggling, reach out to a professional or talk to your doctor. You are always welcome to call me. 

There are also many charities which offer help: 

MIND  and Samaritans  being two of them.

 

 

 

July 14, 2023 Blog

Bowen and Talking Therapies Combined Treatment.

Bowen Therapy and Talking Therapies Combined.

Over the years I have become aware of how much the mind can influence the body. So I decided to study and qualify in a range of talking therapies including EFT (emotional freedom tapping) EMDR, Psychotherapy and Clinical Hypnotherapy.

I am pleased to announce that I am now offering 90-minute treatments combining both treatments priced at £90. I find that many of my clients experience great benefit from having a combination of Bowen Therapy and talking therapies.

Why combine Bowen Therapy and a Talking Therapy?

Mental health issues can really affect how we feel pain in the body. Sometimes we do not want to talk about how we are feeling and other days we want to offload. By offering the combination you can choose on the day what you want to do.  Sometimes when we start talking about things that are affecting us, it can open up some very old wounds and Bowen Therapy is amazing at helping to calm this all down.

Do please call or contact me if you have any questions or wish to discuss if this could be the right option for you.

October 6, 2023 Blog

SAD – Seasonal Affective Disorder

Bowen for Mental Health

Seasonal Affective Disorder

With the clocks going back and the nights getting darker, it is time to look after your mental wellbeing. According to the NHS it's thought that seasonal affective disorder (SAD), affects around 2 million people in the UK. It can affect people of any age, including children.

Key symptoms:

  • depression
  • sleep problems
  • lethargy and fatigue
  • overeating
  • irritability
  • feeling down and unsociable
  • Joint and muscle pain

Tips To Help Yourself

There are many things you can do to help yourself and it is always better to start sooner rather than later. Some suggestions are:

1 Exercise – Research has shown that a one hour walk in daylight can be as helpful as light treatment.

2 Keep Warm - I know most of us are concerned about the cost of heating this year but being cold can make you more depressed. It's also been shown that staying warm can reduce the winter blues by half.

Keep warm with hot drinks and hot food. Wear warm clothes and shoes and aim to keep your home between 18C and 21C (or 64F and 70F degrees). Layering clothes is an excellent way of keeping warm.

3 Eat Well and Regularly -  A healthy diet will boost your mood, give you more energy and stop you putting on weight over winter. Balance your craving for carbohydrates, such as pasta and potatoes, with plenty of fresh fruit and vegetables. Eating regularly will also help to keep you warm.

4 Light Therapy - Some people find light therapy effective for seasonal depression. One way to get light therapy at home in winter is to sit in front of a light box for up to two hours a day.

5 Find a New Hobby – keeping your mind active helps to combat SAD. A new hobby generally inspires us and gives us something to look forward to and concentrate on.

6 Socialise with Friends and Family - It's been shown that socialising is good for your mental health and helps ward off the winter blues. So even if you only go for a little whole, do keep in touch with people. It can be so tempting on the dark, cold nights just to stay in.

7 Have Therapy –Talking to someone or having a hands-on treatment or a combination of the two can help you cope with the symptoms. I am offering a free 30 minute zoom chat or telephone call if you would like to chat anything through.

8 Support Group

Think about joining a support group. SADA is the UK's only registered charity dedicated to SAD. It costs £20 (£10 for concessions) to join, and you'll receive an information pack, regular newsletters, discounts on products such as light boxes, and contacts for telephone support.

I hope this helps, but if you have any questions please call or email me.