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Mental Health Articles and Developments

Here you will find a list of articles about Forum developments and other issues relating to various aspects of mental health.

Click on an item in the bulleted list directly below to jump to the relevant section on this page.

Be in the Here and Now

This article written by Sarah Graham BSc (Psychology) MSc (Health Psychology) is about the value of living in the moment, of appreciating the here and now, and techniques you can use to avoid thinking about the past or worrying about the future.

Consolidate your Achievements and Progress

It is important to consolidate your achievements - pushing yourself all the time can lead to burnout. Article written by Sarah Graham BSc (Psychology) MSc (Health Psychology).

Create Your Own Sanctuary

Having a place to retreat to when we want respite from the hectic world outside can be invaluable, and restore us to a sense of peace and wellbeing. Article written by Sarah Graham BSc (Psychology) MSc (Health Psychology).

Discover What Energises You, and What Drains You

Get in the habit of noticing which pursuits energise you, and which drain you, and of course aim to do more of the former! Article written by Sarah Graham BSc (Psychology) MSc (Health Psychology).

Step Back from Time to Time: Do Less, Not More

Most of us lead hectic and demanding lives, and a certain amount of busyness is crucial in order to earn a living, to be creative, and simply to survive. However, going through life as though we are on a constant express train can be wearying, and detrimental to our wellbeing. Article written by Sarah Graham BSc (Psychology) MSc (Health Psychology).

Find Your Inner Calm

One way to find inner calm is to create visual order in your surroundings, as often a cluttered space reflects a cluttered mind... Article written by Sarah Graham BSc (Psychology) MSc (Health Psychology).

Let Go of the Past

It is nice to enjoy fond memories of past events and people, but it is important to try and let go of memories that stir up negative emotions. Article written by Sarah Graham BSc (Psychology) MSc (Health Psychology).

Making Effective Decisions

Effective decision making is vital to our happiness and success in life. Reachingand acting on a good decision can bring about welcome changes to your life, and thus your wellbeing. Article written by Sarah Graham BSc (Psychology) MSc (Health Psychology).

Managing Anger

Anger is a normal human emotion, but one which needs to be controlled. Uncontrolled outbursts can add stress in our life and make us feel negative about ourselves. In this article, Sarah Graham BSc (Psychology) MSc (Health Psychology) describes various techniques we can employ to help monitor and manage our anger.

Balancing Achievement and Pleasure

Having a balanced lifestyle is important for one's wellbeing. Only doing the things we enjoy is not a sure-fire way of putting a smile on our faces. Undertaking the day-to-day tasks we would rather avoid can actually be very beneficial. Article written by Sarah Graham BSc (Psychology) MSc (Health Psychology).

Build Reserve Energy

Maintaining focus and concentrating on one thing at a tim helps conserve energy for other pursuits further down the line. It is very important that we learn to say “No” - either to that sense of obligation we feel ourselves or to others who place too much of a burden upon us. Article written by Sarah Graham BSc (Psychology) MSc (Health Psychology).

Coping with Change

Coping with change in our lives can be very challenging, especially if these changes are unwelcome or unexpected. There are many strategies we can employ to help us through these times. Article written by Sarah Graham BSc (Psychology) MSc (Health Psychology).

Dealing with Difficult Emotions Using Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

Dealing with difficult emotions is something that we all have to contend with at various stages in our lives. Rationalising and challenging the negative thoughts that arise using a technique called Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is a very effective tool at such times. Article written by Sarah Graham BSc (Psychology) MSc (Health Psychology).

Setting and Achieving Goals

Setting and achieving goals can do wonders for our self-esteem, and our sense of purpose. A wealth of opportunities become available along each step of the road to your success. Article written by Sarah Graham BSc (Psychology) MSc (Health Psychology).

Tackling Social Anxiety

Suffering with Social Anxiety can be very restrictive and have a profoundly negative effect on one's wellbeing. Sarah Graham BSc (Psychology) MSc (Health Psychology) writes openly about her own experiences and offers techniques for overcoming your fears.

NICE guidelines for bipolar disorder

New guidelines for the management of bipolar disorder in adults, children and adolescents, in primary and secondary care have been released and are available on the NICE website.

NICE guidance: getting help and support for common mental health problems

A booklet about the care and treatment of people with common mental health problems (including depression, generalised anxiety disorder, panic disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder and social anxiety disorder) in the NHS in England and Wales, is available for download from the NICE website.

Bereavement: Do We Really Have to Say “Goodbye”?
On Re-connecting with our Lost Loved Ones

Excerpt: The mainstream model of grief suggests that we go through a predictable series of stages following the loss of a loved one...

An article about bereavement is available for download. Written by Sarah Graham BSc (Psychology) MSc (Health Psychology).

Ageing, Mental Health and the Development of Wisdom

An article written by Sarah Graham BSc (Psychology) MSc (Health Psychology) entitled Ageing, Mental Health and the Development of Wisdom is now available for download as a PDF.

Beating the Winter Blues! Six Tips for Improving Mood

New article entitled 'Beating the Winter Blues! Six Tips for Improving Mood' is now available.

New data suggests one in two of us experience mental illness in our lifetimes

Mental health charities and campaigners typically claim that one in four of us will experience a mental illness at some point in our life-times. This prompts disbelief in some quarters. The rates can't possibly be that high, so the argument goes, there must be something wrong with the figures. A new study led by Terrie Moffitt confirms that 'Yes', there is something wrong with the one in four figure - it should be one in two! For more information, click here to read the report as a PDF file.

County Councillor to Champion Mental Health Issues

Michael Bevan, Sherborne CouncillorSherborne Rural councillor Michael Bevan was nominated as champion for mental health services by Dorset County Council's Cabinet.

“Following personal experiences in my own lifetime, I feel that councillors should be more proactive in dealing with mental health issues. There's a stigma attached to mental illness and it is often regarded as a taboo subject. People often feel uncomfortable, embarrassed and don't want to talk about it.

“There are many different types of mental illness and it could happen to anyone at any time in their life. We have excellent mental health services in Dorset but I want to raise awareness of these issues and make sure those who need it are supported and given the help they need to recover or deal with their illness.”

Revolving door of multiple tours linked to Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

With several military units based here in Dorset, this is something that is going to become more of a problem for us in the future. Click the title above to read real life accounts from our allies in the United States.

What is the Dorset Mental Health Forum?

Becky Aldridge, Forum General Manager describes the Forum's ethos, how it supports its staff and the work it does in shaping mental health service provision in Dorset.

Helping others on the road to recovery

Hannah Walker, new Chairperson of the Dorset Mental Health Forum, tells the story of how mental illness has impacted on her life and how her experiences will help her in her new role.

Article Submissions

If you have an experience story or opinion you would like to share with others, why not email the Forum? or write to us at:

Dorset Mental Health Forum
29-29A Durngate Street
Dorchester
Dorset
DT1 1JP

We cannot guarantee that all articles will be published.