HEALTH chiefs in the Forth Valley are encouraging people to look after their mental wellbeing, highlighting the support available to deal with life's challenges.

NHS Forth Valley is urging people to make use of the Mind to Mind platform, hosted on NHS Inform, which features dozens of videos of people talking about their own mental wellbeing challenges to help others going through the same.

Topics covered include dealing with anxiety and panic, coping with money worries, handling stress, improving sleep, lifting mood and moving through grief.

Lorraine Robertson, head of mental health nursing at NHS Forth Valley, said: “If you’re feeling anxious, stressed, or low, are worried about money or having problems sleeping, it’s important to remember support is available.

“Hearing about the experiences of others can help with life’s daily stresses and Mind to Mind is a valuable source of help and advice from people who have dealt with similar challenges.

“If you need more urgent help, you can contact your general practice during office hours, phone NHS 24 on 111 at any time and in an emergency you can phone 999.”

The Mind to Mind website also features commentary from a range of professionals and signposts where people can access further help and support.

Dr Alastair Cook, the Scottish Government's principal medical officer for mental health, acknowledged that the things happening in the world at the moment can add to the day-to-day stresses – but emphasised the importance of people looking after their mental health and the simple techniques that can help.

He said: “Our mental wellbeing, like other aspects of health and fitness, is something we need to think about regularly.

“The world is a difficult place and problems seem to keep increasing with cost of living, wars, natural disasters and climate change.

“Since the coronavirus pandemic it can feel as though there has never been the space or time to ‘get back to normal’, and all these ‘big’ stresses add to all the normal day to day stresses every one of us faces.

“There are lots of things we can do to improve our mental wellbeing, whether it’s making lifestyle changes, moving more, connecting with others or making time to get out in the fresh air.

“If you’re finding things difficult, it’s important to remember support is available.”

People are encouraged to visit nhsinform.scot/mindtomind for help and advice.