Our practitioners use the evidenced based 5 steps to mental wellbeing to support children, young people and their families throughout Cheshire East and Wirral.
Connect with other people
Our teams work with parents/cares, children, young people and their families to build strong and close relationships. Through their work they highlight how good relationships are important for mental wellbeing, with a focus on:
- building a sense of belonging and self-worth
- sharing positive experiences
- providing emotional support and allow you to support others
Embracing the 5 Ways to Wellbeing the teams encourage people to:
- take time each day to be with their family, eg, try arranging a fixed time to eat dinner together
- arrange a day out with friends they have not seen for a while
- switch off the TV to talk or play a game with their children, friends or family
- have lunch with a colleague
- visit a friend or family member who needs support or company
- volunteer at a local school, hospital or community group
- make the most of technology eg, video chat, to stay in touch with friends and
- search and download online community apps on the NHS apps library
Be physically active
We know that regular physical activity is associated with lower rates of depression and anxiety across all age groups.
Our teams regularly encourage parents/carers, children, young people and their families to embrace physical activity and exercise. People are encouraged to set goals, get active at their own pace and signposted to local support.
Learn new skills
As research shows that learning new skills can also improve mental wellbeing our teams encourage parents/carers, young people and their families to try new things such as:
- learning to cook something new as a family
- taking on a new responsibility at work, such as mentoring a junior staff member or improving your presentation skills
- working on a DIY project
- considering signing up for a course at a local college
- new hobbies
Give to others
We know that acts of giving and kindness can help improve mental wellbeing.
They can:
- create positive feelings and a sense of reward
- give a feeling of purpose and self-worth
- help connect with other people
Our teams always encourage acts of kindness.
Pay attention to the present moment – mindfulness
We know that paying more attention to the present moment can improve an individual’s mental wellbeing.
Our teams encourage parents/carers to consider mindfulness techniques to help make positive changes to the way they may be feeling about life.
