Supporting Your Mental Wellbeing with Be Skilled

Mental Health Awareness Week is led by the Mental Health Foundation. It takes place each May and encourages people across the UK to talk more openly about mental health and wellbeing. Looking after your mental wellbeing is just as important as looking after your physical health.  

Feeling mentally well can help you cope with everyday worries, feel more balanced, and enjoy life more. Mental Health Awareness Week is a good time to remind residents about the support available to help you look after your wellbeing.

What is Be Skilled?

Be Skilled is our free online learning and support platform for residents. It brings together useful information, practical tools and trusted support services in one place. Whether you want to learn more about mental health, try simple wellbeing activities, or find out where to get extra support, Be Skilled is there to help. With Be Skilled you can:

• Sign up using just an email address
• Look at information in your own time
• Access these resources whenever you need it

There are several mental health support resources available on our Be Skilled platform. These resources can help you learn more about mental health and how it can affect us as we get older:

• Hub of Hope – helps you find local and national mental health support
• Mental Health UK – clear information on many mental health topics
• What Are Talking Therapies? – explains different types of support available
• Mental and Physical Health – how they affect each other
• It’s Not Just Your Age – understanding mental health in later life
• A–Z of Mental Health Topics – easy to read information on a wide range of subjects

These simple tools can help you think about your wellbeing and manage day to day pressures:

• Stress Bucket – helps you understand what causes stress and what helps reduce it
• My Wellbeing Plan – a template to help you think about what keeps you well
• Five Top Tips for Mental Wellbeing – small steps you can take every day
• Managing Anxiety and Fear – practical guidance
• Looking After Your Health in Later Life
• How to Sleep Better

Sometimes it helps to talk things through. Be Skilled includes guides to support these conversations:

• Talking to someone about mental health
• Talking about mental health and money
• Talking to a friend about mental health

If you need extra help, Be Skilled also signposts trusted organisations such as the Samaritans and Age UK. 

Samaritans

• Call 116 123 – free from landlines and mobiles
• Email [email protected]
• Face to face support available at local branches

Age UK

• Free Advice Line: 0800 678 1602
• Open 8am–7pm, 365 days a year
• Specialist advisers available through local Age UK services

If you would like information, practical tools or help finding support, Be Skilled is here for you. Sign up to Be Skilled and explore the resources available today by emailing [email protected]