Mental health problems can affect anyone, at any time. Today (Thursday 10th October 2019) is World Mental Health Day: focus on suicide prevention.

Although it is important to talk about mental health at all times, today is a good opportunity to start a conversation with someone around better mental health, and to think about the ways you can look after your own mental wellbeing.

In this blog, one of our team leaders, Danielle, shares something we are doing with our older young people to help promote wellbeing.

"At The Yard's 18-25s club, we have begun monthly mindfulness and relaxation sessions, which have been extremely successful. Now our young adults ask to go on mindfulness journeys most weeks. So what does this involve?

• First, we start by creating a clear space with blankets and cushions.
  
  
• We then choose an essential oil to burn in our diffuser; firm favourites are lavender or a calming blend. We put this on for around ten minutes before we start our session.
  
  
• We have a mindfulness meditation playlist that we then begin to play over a speaker.
  
  
• Once we are ready, we each take off our shoes, find a space on the floor and get comfortable.
  
  
• I then begin to take the group through some relaxation techniques. We start by doing some comfortable stomach breathing, followed by a simple muscle relaxation exercise.
  
  
• Once the group begins to relax, we go on a mindfulness journey. These journeys have positive words to give them strength and take away any stressful feelings they may be having.
  
  
• Once we have completed our mindfulness journey, we continue to listen to our playlist for five minutes, while we carry on using our breathing and stretching techniques.

These sessions give our young adults an opportunity to talk openly about their feelings, and their peers can offer support and comfort."

Below are some resources our club have found helpful on their mindfulness journey.

Health Scotland - steps to deal with stress

International Futures Forum - kitbag

Mind - about mindfulness

Mind - mindfulness exercises & tips

You can call Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, free on 116 123.

If you are under 25, you can call The Mix on 0808 808 4994 (Sunday to Friday 2–11pm).