Sheffield Mind can help people access a wide range of resources in a variety of forms such as leaflets, booklets and websites, to help promote mental wellbeing and manage feelings, symptoms and situations associated with mental health difficulties. These resources can help people address their mental health needs outside of services, or in conjunction with other support.
However, the volume of information and resources available can be a little bit overwhelming, so we've started to gather up information here in our online 'tool box'. In it you’ll find tips and guides, service info and advice and directions to other online resources such as video and blog, that might provide you with the tools you're looking for when help is needed.
Our tool box is there whenever you need to open it and can be tailored to a person's particular need or situation - you can browse through the suggestions and try some of the ideas at your own pace. The tool box tips are also useful for people who find involvement with groups and services difficult for whatever reason.
We regularly add to the tool box to ensure information is relevant and accurate and we also like to hear back from you about what you find helpful, click here to send us an email [email protected]
Right, now dig deep and see what you can find...
Parks are our own little pockets of nature, right in the heart of our cities and in Sheffield we’ve got more green spaces than any other city in Europe. Read more
Ever been on a walk, or sat in the garden and thought - I wish I'd taken a photo of that? That's nature photography! Read more
Experiencing a lot of stress over a long period of time can also lead to a feeling of physical, mental and emotional exhaustion, often called burnout. Here are a few tips for managing the pressures that often lead to stress. Read more
Its important that we all take time out now and then and here are some ideas for making the most of that time and what we can do to relax. Read more
There’s increasing evidence that exposure to plants and green space, and particularly to gardening, is beneficial to mental and physical health. Gardening may help reduce stress, fear, anger and sadness, as well as reducing blood pressure, pulse rate and muscle tension. We've got some tips on how to get into gardening – even with the tiniest of green spaces. Read more
Understandably, given the difficult year we’ve all been through, we’ve started to hear a lot about burnout. Here’s a short guide to burnout – what it is and what we can do to prevent it. Read more
We can indulge in a bit of spring cleaning any time of year – and whilst we’re at it, create a space to sit, meditate, practice Mindfulness, read – whatever enhances your sense of calm. Read more
For many of us, Christmas will be different this year. Traditionally a time to be with our nearest & dearest, this year, (overseas travel restrictions & quarantines & warnings not to travel too far domestically), despite the easing of restrictions over Christmas, we’ll be looking at an adjusted festive period. Even without a pandemic to deal with, Christmas can be a stressful time – but it feels that this this year, looking after our mental health in a proactive way is more important than ever Read more
For all of us, Lockdown has meant a reduction in the time we've spent with other people. But for some people, it's compounded the loneliness and isolation they were already experiencing. If you have a mental health issue, or you’re shy, or find it hard to trust because you’ve been let down in the past, it can be really hard to even contemplate making connections with other people. Yet when we do spend time with others, we often feel better for it. Read more
Has anybody noticed that the nights are starting to draw in? After the strangest 6 months in (most of) our living memory, Autumn has arrived. Read more
One of the side-effects of being in lockdown is that we can get frustrated - even angry -at the situation we find ourselves in. We may feel powerless - and this may in turn lead to feelings of anger. Our Anger Management team have put together some simple tips that may help. Read more
Some excellent tips on the things we can all do to help maintain good physical and mental wellbeing whilst we are in lockdown. Read more
There's a close relationship between sleep and mental health. Living with a mental health problem can affect how well we sleep, and poor sleep can have a negative impact how we feel. If we’re anxious or worrying about something, then we can often have trouble sleeping. This is because we may have lots of thoughts racing through our minds. Read more
Arts and creative therapies are a fabulous way to explore our feelings. Both engaging with art ourselves, or simply appreciating other peoples’ art can help to us relax and concentrate because the shapes, colours and lines take our minds off things. Art doesn’t always have to be painting, drawing or sculpture, it can present itself in many different ways like plays and performance or literature, music, and fun hobbies such as sewing and crafting. Let's be creative and use our imaginations! Read more
Trying to be optimistic about ourselves doesn't mean ignoring our problems and negative life experiences. It means focusing on the positive as much as possible-and it gets easier with practice. Read more
Voluntary work is a great way to get involved with issues you’re passionate about, or simply to gain some work experience. People can do as much as they’re comfortable with and can work for as little as an hour a week, while still feeling like they’re involved. It enables us to adapt to a working environment and provides both stability and the opportunity to form friendships expand networks and boost social skills. Read more
We live in a great city, with the Peak District on our doorstep. So if planning a holiday seems too expensive or too daunting, why not consider some day trips and travel in your own backyard? Read more
Loneliness is more common that we might think. A Mental Health Foundation study found that 42% of people said they have felt depressed because they felt alone, and 33% said they would be embarrassed to admit being lonely. Read more
Reading helps build concentration skills, strengthens our brain power and gives enjoyment. And if you join a library, it’s also free! Read more
Evidence suggests that as well as affecting our physical health, what we eat may also affect the way we feel. Read more
Read how wellbeing can be significantly improved by engaging with the natural world around us and a few suggestions as to how we might do that Read more
A *recent survey found that 87 % of people who owned a cat felt it had a positive impact on their wellbeing, while 76 said they could cope with everyday life much better thanks to the company of their feline friends. (*Cats Protection & Mental Health Foundation). Read more
“Physical activity has a huge potential to enhance wellbeing in our population. It’s known that even a short burst of 10 minutes brisk walking increases mental alertness, energy and positive mood states.” – The Mental Health Guide. Read more
Guides, books, articles, reference, how to guides and where to find information. Read more