Everyday living
As changes in our mental health can affect the way we feel, behave and interact with others, the majority of people with a mental illness will experience some kind of impact to everyday life.
This section looks to cover the way in which mental illness can change or impact upon the way you live your life.
Physical health - how can having a mental illness effect your physical well-being, and information about what you can do to take an active role in staying healthy.
Work - getting or maintaining a job can be difficult when symptoms or side effects make it harder to function normally, or as a result of the stigma still attached by some, to having a mental illness.
Education - what help is available to students who are having difficulties with a mental illness during their studies?
Housing - accommodation support needs vary greatly from person to person, and over time. Information is given here about the options open to people, whether it be through living with relatives, or finding supported housing in your local area.
Driving - this can be a complicated subject for many people to understand what their responsibilities are in regards to what and to who you should report a mental health problem to. Not following the correct procedure means you could be driving illegally which may have dire consequences - such as invalidating your insurance so you would get no money back if you were to have an accident.
Parenting & children - mental illness can affect people in their relationships and family life - pregnancy can be affected by many of the drug treatments used to manage and treat mental illnesses, so mothers-to-be and new parents are recommended to find out how any medication being taken may have an affect.
Holidays & respite - Coping day-to-day, or caring for someone with a mental illness can be exhausting and emotionally draining at times. Taking a holiday or a respite break gives the opportunity for service users or their carers to have a bit of time to themselves and relax.
Spirituality - Faith and spirituality are important to many people with a mental illness, yet this is often a poorly recognised and neglected need. Information is given here on the way spiritual needs can be assessed, and also to highlight when spirituality can be a positive or negative influence on someone with a mental health problem.
Stigma - The stigma of mental illness is difficult to bear as long as the media and general public do not understand the nature of mental illness. In order to fight stigma, there are steps everyone can take in helping their friends, families and colleagues understand the subject better.
