How you can help yourself

There are many ways you can help yourself feel better. Self-help therapy can be a useful first step if you are unsure whether or not to seek further help.

Mind have produced some good tips for looking after yourself, that explains some common mental health problems, what may cause them and different kinds of help, treatment and support that are available.

Steps to Wellbeing is a free, confidential, NHS service for people aged 18 and over. They offer a range of treatments to anyone register with a GP surgery in Dorset and can give support over the telephone, face-to-face, in groups or via the internet.

Courses

The Recovery Education Centre offer a wide range of free recovery-focused educational courses. They can support you to recognise your potential through self-management, to deal with the mental and physical health challenges you experience and to achieve the things you want to in life. The courses are mainly based in the community, so you should not have to travel too far to attend.

Living Life to the Full is a free online course which teaches techniques to help you manage stress and anxiety on a day to day basis.

Staying healthy

Staying healthy is important for everyone, but making sure you stay fit and active and eat well can help to improve your mental wellbeing as well as helping you to stay physically healthy.

Things to do

Doing an activity you enjoy and talking to others can give you a boost. We have a list of Day opportunities and activities in our service provider directory, including sports, arts and crafts, music and more.

Volunteering is a good way to help yourself while helping others.

Outdoor activities

Being outdoors can increase your mental and physical wellbeing. This is sometimes called green therapy.

You can try a range of voluntary and paid occupational activities which use the outdoor environment as a form of therapy. Green therapy includes a large range of activities such as allotment schemes, plant nurseries, riding centres and care farms.

Books on prescription

Reading Well Books on Prescription can help you to understand and manage your health and wellbeing using self-help reading. The books are available to borrow from your local library.