Voluntary Action Swindon’s Post

Accessing mental health support, especially during a crisis, can be incredibly challenging. The lack of immediate and effective support can leave both individuals in crisis and their loved ones feeling helpless and frustrated. The process of navigating the mental health systems, which can involve long wait times, confusing referrals, and inadequate resources, often exacerbates the crisis rather than alleviating it. This is great to see!

The Social Impact Academy was founded with a critical mission: to address the overlooked and misunderstood needs of neurodivergent individuals. We see, all too often, that mental health support systems fail these individuals, leaving them to suffer, and in some cases, tragically take their own lives. #Neurodivergent mental health needs require tailored, empathetic care, and the academy is committed to creating a positive impact for those who are so often misunderstood. Launching this service is a step forward, but there’s still so much more to do. Let’s keep pushing for change! 🌍 NHS good work.. #Mentalhealth #Neurodiversity 4o

Why It Matters to Me As mental health professionals, I understand the critical importance of being prepared to support individuals in crisis. Suicide prevention is a crucial aspect of mental health care. By obtaining the QPR Gatekeeper Certificate, I am taking an important step towards being better equipped to save lives. This empowers me to make a positive difference in my community and provides me with the tools needed to support those in crisis. Let’s continue to enhance our skills and knowledge to provide the best possible care for our clients. Together, we can make a significant impact in the fight against suicide. https://lnkd.in/eQEAA7xB

Suicide is the second leading cause of death among young people aged 10 to 24. Many families feel unprepared to recognize the signs of mental distress in their children or know how to respond when a teen might be at risk. As we observe #NationalSuicidePreventionMonth this September, it’s important to understand the complexities of teen mental health and the steps we can take to prevent suicide. By recognizing the warning signs, engaging in open conversations, and creating a supportive environment, parents and caregivers can play a crucial role in protecting youth mental health. Remember, talking about suicide doesn’t increase the risk—it opens the door for support and healing. If you or someone you know needs help, don’t hesitate to reach out. Read our latest blog post to learn the signs commonly seen in teens struggling with thoughts of suicide: https://lnkd.in/gXnv7KNz #TeenMentalHealth #YouAreNotAlone #SuicidePrevention

1 in 5 U.S. adults experience mental illness each year. To raise awareness, fight stigma, and educate the public, May is designated as Mental Health Awareness Month. Learn more and download the digital toolkit: https://lnkd.in/ex-jqvYR

#DidYouKnow 1 in 5 Canadians will experience a mental illness in any given year? This year’s theme for Mental Health Week, “A Call to be Kind”, emphasizes how compassion connects us all. Learn more about how you can help: https://cmha.ca/ If you or someone you know is thinking about suicide, you can now call or text 9-8-8 for the Canadian suicide crisis helpline. It’s available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Learn more: https://lnkd.in/gFTf6Un #MentalHealth

Did you know that one in five of us will struggle with suicidal thoughts in our lifetime? Often, the stigma attached to suicide can prevent people from getting the support they need. A poll from Samaritans revealed that nearly three-quarters (71%) of UK adults are unaware just how many people experience suicidal thoughts at some point in their lives. And while 74% of people are comfortable talking with family and friends about mental health and wellbeing, only 45% are comfortable talking about suicidal thoughts. As an organisation, we encourage our colleagues to open up about their mental health and reach out to our Mental Health First Aiders or through our EAP service. Suicide is not an easy topic to talk about, but the more we do, the more we can support those struggling. If you need to talk to someone, anyone in the UK and Ireland can call Samaritans free, day or night, on 116 123. Their trained volunteers support people by phone, email, letter and face-to-face in some local branches. They also have a helpline for Welsh speakers. #WorldSuicidePreventionDay 💚 https://bit.ly/34sfcMK

This study aims to explore mental health clinicians’ experiences receiving training in the Attachment, Regulation, and Competency framework, and examine clinicians’ views of their own use of ARC when providing mental health services for youth experiencing homelessness. https://buff.ly/3VNFm9x

Will you be checking in with a colleague today? R U Ok Day helps highlight the importance of how a small check in conversation can make a huge difference, it also aims to reduce the stigma around mental health issues. 'R U OK? contributes to suicide prevention efforts by encouraging people to invest more time in their personal relationships and building the capacity of informal support networks – friends, family and colleagues - to be alert to those around them, have a conversation if they identify signs of distress or difficulty and connect someone to appropriate support, long before they're in crisis.' They offer a number of resources for anyone who is struggling and for those who want to offer support to those around them. You can find a list of resources at https://lnkd.in/en_2d_xG

I recently posted about joining The Nashville Child and Youth Collaborative (NCYC). We are a coalition of Nashville nonprofits interested in collectively advancing strategies that address the needs of Nashville’s children and youth. We elevate the voices of Nashville’s young people and raise awareness of best practices that support healthy child and youth development. We advance dialogue around effective and equitable policies that impact positive child and youth outcomes. We advocate for deeper investment in our children and youth. We work to focus city leaders on the challenges facing our young people to advance cross-sector solutions that improve the lives of our children and youth. We are calling on you, the mayor and other city leaders to publicly commit to these key actions: 1. Collaborate with communities, neighborhoods, and families 2. Foster Strategic Alignment across government agencies to address needs of children and families 3. Identify and Publicly Report on neighborhood needs 4. Ensure Adequate Investments in systems and structures 5. Create an Integrated System for Metro Government to ensure children and families can access services and support. We are specifically advocating for investments in: a. Early childhood development opportunities and high-quality childcare for children ages 0-5 to have a healthy start in life. b. Mental health to ensure every youth has access to affordable, high-quality mental health support. c. Community spaces to ensure all children and youth have equitable access to safe, high-quality learning and enrichment opportunities throughout the year. Here is the latest infographic on Youth Mental Health support in the the community.