Below, Alan talks about positive thinking and how you can practice gratitude.
Category: Information and resources
Exercise, mental health and social distancing
Exercise is good for our physical and mental health. It has been really important to look after all aspects of our health during the pandemic.
For some of us, the word exercise can be off putting. However, it simply means to be active. It doesn’t have to mean going to the gym or taking part in competitive team sports.
We can view exercise as any activity that gets our body moving, increases our heart rate and breathing. Read more about how exercise can impact mental health.
However we choose to be active, it’s really important we remember to follow the guidelines on social distancing.
Watch: Good days and bad
Ricky is 24 and from Sligo.
Following a relationship break up Ricky experienced a dip in his mental health and decided to go to Jigsaw. He still has good days and bad days, but feels he has developed the skills he needs to help him cope. Here Ricky talks about his experience.
Watch: Realising it’s not just me
Lauren is a 20 year old health and social care student from Clondalkin.
When her anger and anxiety started to impact on her life Lauren decided to go to a Jigsaw service for support. However, she worried what people around her would think. Once she started telling her family and friends about her mental health, Lauren realised ‘it’s not just me’. We all need help and support at different times. Here, Lauren talks about her experience of going to Jigsaw.
Webinar: My World Survey 2
We recently ran a webinar for teachers, who have taken our online courses.
The webinar was based on the key findings from My World Survey 2, Ireland’s largest national youth mental health study, conducted by UCD School of Psychology and Jigsaw.
This is a recording of the webinar, where the team focused on the data from second level students. They also looked at the risk and protective factors linked to the mental health of adolescents in secondary level schools.
The recording is made up of a 30 minute presentation, followed by a question and answer session with all the participants.
Speakers
Professor Barbara Dooley, School of Psychology, UCD
Associate Professor Amanda Fitzgerald, School of Psychology, UCD
Dr. Aileen O’ Reilly, Research Manager, Jigsaw
Watch: Personal responsibility in college
Watch as our Jigsaw Volunteers Sam and Rachel discuss the shift in taking personal responsibility when you move away to college.
Mental health services for under 18s
It can be an overwhelming experience for a parent when your child is experiencing difficulties with their mental health.
There are many supports available to you and your son or daughter, but knowing what mental health services there are how and how to access them isn’t always easy.
Below we’ve listed some of the mental health services for under 18s in Ireland, how to access them, and costs. The service or organisation you go to depends on what your child is going through is considered mild, or more severe in nature. The first step to knowing this is going to your GP.
Coronavirus and mental health
During this global pandemic the recommendation is social distancing and staying safe. There is also a lot of focus on mental health.
Looking after your mental health is always important. But with Coronavirus spreading, we now face more and different challenges to our wellbeing.
Some of the stressors that we now face include:
- Uncertainty about the future
- Loss of routine
- Fear of catching Coronavirus
- Isolation from social distancing
- Losing loved ones
- Spread of misinformation
- Worry about the actions of others
- Boredom.
It’s unrealistic to think that the current situation won’t affect most of us in some way. We might be experiencing feelings of stress right now, or feel slightly numb or immune to it. However, the more we pay attention to our emotional and psychological needs the easier it will be to get through this turbulent time.
Keep what works
Minding our mental health does not mean we do lots of new stuff. We need to change the things that have worked previously to our new situation. Think about what helped your mental health before. Find ways to incorporate them into your new regime. Watch 5-a-day for mental health here.
Strategies for managing mental health can be adapted for now. Read more about:
Coming out about your sexuality
Whether it’s your first time coming out, or your hundredth, it can be both a daunting and liberating time.
Coming out begins with coming out to ourselves. We need to allow time to explore and discover who we are physically, romantically and sexually attracted to. Here are some tips that can be helpful to remember.
Watch: Triple A for emotions
Sinead, Jigsaw clinician, talks about how you can support your difficult emotions and feelings right now by thinking of “Triple A”.