iPeople Magazine - Autumn 2018

Autumn. Volume 1.

ipeople

Battlefield of the mind

By Fran Bainbridge

This issue is a ‘mental health’ theme. We all have mental health, but some days are harder.

Sometimes the days turn into weeks and suddenly we need help because, alone, we can’t keep our head above water.

Welcome to our relaunched iPeople! We are looking forward to telling you all about what’s happening at 1625ip for you. We want to help you get the most out of your time with 1625, inspiring you to be your best you.

There’s no shame in asking for help or for struggling. Many of us have been there and you know what? We often end up kinder and ready to be there for someone else. Read on for some great tips and services to help you along your journey.

word from the

chief

Welcome to this edition of iPeople in which we consider Mental Health. If you have poor mental health remember that you are not alone, it is estimated that 1 in 4 people have issues with their mental health.

It is vital to recognise that you have symptoms and get the support that you need, but people often avoid this as they think of poor mental health as a weakness.

Dr Cantopher who wrote the book, ‘Depressive Illness - The Curse of the Strong’ believes it is the opposite. He says,

“What happens if you put a whole lot of stresses on to someone who is weak, cynical or lazy? The answer is that they will immediately give up... The strong person on the other hand reacts to stress by redoubling their efforts.”

1625ip CEO, Dom Wood Have a read of what is on offer inside this edition of iPeople and remember that staff and services are here to help us all. If it were a physical illness we would all go for support immediately so let’s make sure we all do for mental health issues too.

Most of all, look out for the opportunities for everyone to get involved in activities and support offered by 1625 Independent People.

Wellbeing service

We all have mental health, sometimes it’s great and other times it’s not. It’s like physical health; you may get a cold and take some cold medicine to make yourself better, maybe even see a doctor to help you recover. Like physical health, people’s mental health can be changing – we all have highs and lows – sometimes you can make yourself feel better and other times you could do with some support to get back on track. Have you noticed that you may worry a lot or have stopped doing the things you enjoy or need to do? Do you find it difficult being in big groups and start feeling anxious? These could be signs that you be struggling with your mental health.

Did you know, that 1 in 10 young people experience a mental health difficulty, so you’re not on your own. We have a new service at 1625ip; the Wellbeing Service. Gemma and Puegee work with young people aged 11- 17 who may be experiencing mild difficulties with their mental health. For example: low mood, depression, anxiety, panic, phobias or OCD.

Phone: 0117 317 8800

Email: iapt@1625ip.co.uk

We-Do/Wellbeing-Service

Refer yourself though our website: 1625ip.co.uk/What-

If you think you are finding things difficult, don’t hold back and get in touch!

get in touch

They can help you to understand what might be going on, find ways to manage the difficult feelings and give you skills to use to support yourself. Gemma and Puegee have worked at 1625ip for over 5 years and have lots of experience working with young people, understanding the challenges that you may be facing.

when you need a

By Puegee + Gemma, IAPT/Wellbeing Workers

My journey with mental health

Helping hand

By Fran, Communications Officer

I thought I had cried enough tears to create an ocean, and that one day I would be able to sail above it, but instead a flood continued to flow and I was drowning. I couldn’t see out of the hole I was stuck in.

I had experienced abuse and I was also really unwell with a chronic, painful condition that landed me in hospital. Long story short, it wasn’t good and Depression snuck up behind me with a big net and caught me before I had a chance to run away.

The funny thing is I’m an optimist, people have always commented on how bubbly and joyful I am. That is who I am and I was constantly having to battle this overwhelming feeling of difficulty. I had lots of dreams, things I wanted to do with my life but it seemed nearly impossible while I was caught between who I believed I was and this other darker me. It was a long drawn out fight.

Recovery was slow. There was no quick fix, though lots of different things helped. I had good people fighting for me when others didn’t understand. I had a doctor who at one point, called me every other day and put me on the right meds. There was the Cognitive Behavioural Therapy helping me take back some control.

Then there was me. I learnt how to love myself and be kind. I used to speak to myself in really horrible ways. I told myself that I wasn’t to blame and that I wasn’t irreversibly broken. I told myself that I was lovable, that I mattered and that I did mean something to someone. It turned out, that someone was me.

GET INVOLVED

If you are the creative kind & love writing, photography or graphic design, you could work with Fran!

Get involved at 1625 and give young people a voice.

Contact Fran:

fran.bainbridge@1625ip.co.uk

Phone: 0117 317 7096

i need a little

health

food

Food is like magic, you eat something and it can transform your body. So when you’re feeling down or have a cold, there’s nothing better than a soup.

Spicy Chicken Soup Just chuck all the ingredients into one saucepan and let it simmer. You will need: • • • • • • • • • • •

1 tablespoon olive oil 1 large brown onion, finely chopped 2 garlic cloves, crushed 1 tablespoon finely chopped fresh ginger 1 tablespoon chopped fresh rosemary 1.2kg whole fresh chicken, trimmed 1 celery stick, coarsely chopped 2 small fresh red chillies, seeded, finely chopped 1.5L-2L (6-8 cups) cold water 500g sweet potato, peeled, cut into 1.5cm pieces 150g (1 cup) frozen peas

For the full recipe visit: https://goo.gl/b6L567

Exercise

Exercise has a huge effect on your mental health, so getting moving is very important. Over-doing it won’t help though so start easy like going for long walks and work your way up to doing 30 minute jogs. Or even doing some dancing will help!

We also provide sport activities, so find out what you can come along to (there’s a schedule on the next page)

natural remedies Did you know that frankincense oil is a natural antidepressant? It is! These others can also help: Lavender - calming + relaxing Rosemary - boosts mental capacity Chamomile - sleep inducing + soothing

Some of our playlist songs: Sun Comes Up Rudimental

Feel Good Playlist

Be The One Dua Lipa If You Only Knew Jurassic 5

tell us what you think What do you think about the magazine? If you have feedback you could be with a chance to...

win a £10 prize!

Simply email: comms@1625ip.co.uk

Finesse Bruno Mars Firefly Mura Masa Find the playlist HERE:

Theatre: Many Minds Many Minds is a mental health charity that runs a drama group. It focus on mental health and how it could affect people. It helps remove the stigma that surrounds mental health and that it’s ok to suffer with mental health.

When I am at Many Minds it helps me forget the pain and suffering I get due to mental health. Also it has helped me embrace my mental health and not let it rule my life. It has helped me and my mental health as it’s taught me that I am human and that I shouldn’t let it control my life.

I would highly recommend Many Minds as it’s not just a mental health group but also like a family. It helps you escape reality for a while and helps you embrace yourself.

By Tyler-Jack Price Youth Board Member To find out more about Many Minds, please visit: www. many-minds.org

music high st culture cheap + free 06 Oct: Park Run, every Saturday, Eastville Park 21 Oct: Oh Europa at Bristol Old Vic People singing love songs 31 Oct: I LUV LIVE PRESENTS… free night at Hy-Brasil 03 Nov: Colston Hall Record Fair 12 Nov: Gallimaufry Open Mic Night 07 Dec: St Nick’s Night Market 09 Dec: Carols By Laserlight, Woodlands Church

1625ip activities Youth Board – come along, tell us what you think and make something happen Arts and Crafts – Be a crafty fox with our very own Sophia, you never know you might have some creative skills ready and waiting!

Outdoor Survival – Love getting outside? Come and do some bushcraft skills Feel Real – It can be really hard to feel good about yourself, Feel Real is here for the ladies to help you see the real you and boost your self-esteem Skills Kitchen – Who’s cooking good looking? Wow your friends with some incredible cooking Football – We love football and you should too! Get active, get fit and have some fun Many Minds – Theatre with some heart, soul and MIND! A great theatre group for those who are experiencing mental health difficulties Step It Up – Want to boss life? Come to Step It Up to learn how to grab those opportunities in employment and training

We have loads more activities going on, all you need to do is check out the schedule at your housing reception or your shared house and get in touch with Sophia or Duane.

You can reach Sophia on: 07875074262 sophia.ahmed@1625ip.co.uk Or Duane: 07534278774 Duane.macdonald@1625ip.co.uk

16 25 Independent People

A micro-magazine, for Young People, by Young People.

1625 Independent People is a charity and a registered society (Co-operative and Community Benefit Societies Act 2014, reg: 23964R exempt from registration with the Charity Commission).