Ways to be Well in the Scottish Borders
For tips on looking after your mental wellbeing during COVID-19 look at NHS Borders Wellbeing Point or the Scottish Government's Clear Your Head website.
Everybody has mental health and wellbeing, this is not the same as having a diagnosis of a mental illness. It’s just as important to look after your mental health as it is to look after your physical health.
Your mental wellbeing can change at different times depending on our circumstances. Wellbeing is not about being happy all the time – it’s about being able to deal with life’s challenges and being content. There are steps you can take to improve your mental wellbeing and to support the people around us.
You can find out more about understanding mental health and keeping mentally healthy in this video – Ask, Tell, Look After Your Mental Health.
Small changes you can make
In the Scottish Borders we’ve developed the ‘Six Ways to Be Well’ which offers ideas about how to become healthier and happier and signposts to local organisations, groups and opportunities. Think of these as your 'six a day' for wellbeing.
Try these six ways to help you become healthier and happier:
- Nurture
- Be Active
- Belong
- Be Kind
- Enjoy and Learn
- Be Aware
You can measure your wellbeing using the Wellbeing Capabilities Wheel and use the Wellbeing Planner to plan what changes you will make.
Further support and resources
- NHS Borders Wellbeing Point has resources and information about how to look after your mental health and wellbeing. This includes the Six Ways to Be Well resources, information about local support services, information about coping with suicidal thoughts and crisis information and support.
- NHS Borders Wellbeing Service offers support to people who wish to improve their lives in one or more of the following areas: mental health and wellbeing; being more active; eating more healthily, quitting smoking. Trained advisers offer support sessions. People can self refer or be referred by their GP/other health professionals. For further information visit www.nhsborders.scot.nhs.uk/wellbeing, call 01896 824502 or email wellbeing@borders.scot.nhs.uk
- GPs can support their patients and discuss whether medication or referral to other more specialist support services might be helpful. NHS 24 can provide urgent advice out of hours when the GP practice is closed, call 111 to access this service.
Emotional support helplines, text services and apps
- Breathing Space 0800 83 85 87 (Weekdays: Monday-Thursday, 6pm-2am; Weekends: Friday 6pm-Monday 6am)
- Samaritans 116 123 (24hrs/day) or email jo@samaritans.org
- Borderline 0800 027 4466 A freephone helpline for adults in the Scottish Borders who are experiencing emotional distress. More information and opening times available at www.borderline.uk.net
- SHOUT text service by sending a message to 85258. Text messages are free.
- Stay Alive App – A mobile app for those at risk of suicide or worried about someone. Download for free from the App Store or Google Play.
If you are at immediate risk of suicide call the emergency services on 999.