User Involvement Services for Carers Counselling/Information

Welcome to the Westhill Project

Promoting Mental Health and Wellbeing in our Community

The Westhill Project supports our community by offering advice, education,

training and support to people in Westhill affected by mental health issues, and to anyone in the community who has an interest in promoting positive mental health.

For further information, support or advice, if you are interested in any of the introduced groups and initiatives, or if you would like to support the Westhill Project, please contact:

Angelika Eberhard: Tel: 01779 480485.

What is Mental Health?

Like our physical health, our mental and emotional well-being has an important impact on our lives. It describes our feelings, thoughts and actions, especially when faced with the normal stressors of life.

Feeling capable and competent; being able to handle normal levels of stress, maintaining satisfying relationships and leading an independent life; being able to "bounce back", or recover from difficult situations, are all signs of good mental health. But just as we may sometimes become physically unwell, we may experience difficulties with our mental health at some stage in our lives.

Many factors affect our mental health. Too much pressure in life, living in an unhealthy environment, isolation and lack of social support networks, loss and bereavement – these are only some of the factors that may get our mental health out of balance. When this happens it is important to find information to help us understand our problems and to have access to support services in our community. It is equally important to live in a supportive environment where mental health problems are recognised and understood.

How to help yourself

If you experience difficulties with your mental health or if you support someone who does, remember, you are not alone. One in four people will experience some kind of mental ill-health in the course of any given year. The vast majority of people go on to make a full recovery whilst others learn to manage their health difficulties and lead full and active lives.

Talking to a friend or contacting a helpline may be important first steps in reaching out for help. Talking to your GP is normally the first point of professional contact. The GP may assist you with the problem directly or refer you to another agency such as a Counsellor or the Community Mental Health Team.

A lot can be gained from meeting other people with similar experiences. It can be valuable to find out that we are not alone and to learn how others cope or have coped with similar difficulties. Taking part in a self-help or support group provides support and understanding and is an important step towards recovery.

Support Groups in Westhill

If you experience difficulties surrounding your mental wellbeing or if you are a friend or relative supporting someone who does, a lot can be gained from meeting other people with similar experiences. Taking part in a self-help or support group provides mutual support and understanding.

Next Step Forward

Westhill Buddies

If you have experienced mental health issues or suffer from mental ill-health, a Peer Support Group can help you restore balance in your life. Westhill Buddies is for people affected by mental health issues. It provides a safe environment where you can share your experiences and talk with others in the same boat. Through the group you can

meet other people who have similar issues
regain confidence and self esteem
receive and give mutual support
break down the social isolation you may be feeling
have space to relax and enjoy yourself

Westhill Buddies meets every 3 weeks and has a mixed programme, which includes recreational, and relaxation activities and socialising as well as information on mental health topics and talks about issues relevant to our recovery and well being.

Healthy Reading

Healthy Reading is based at Westhill library and offers easy access to a range of self help books which can help you tackle issues such as stress, anxiety and depression. The books provide simple step-by-step guides to encourage you to think about the way that your thoughts, feelings and behaviour impact on your emotional well being. This may help you to learn more about and manage your health difficulties.

You can access Healthy Reading simply by joining the library and borrowing the book(s) you are interested in. Your GP or any other health or social care practitioner will also be able to direct you to Healthy Reading and can recommend a book for you. The library staff can provide you with a booklist and details of the availability of books. Or simply look up the online catalogue of Aberdeenshire library for Healthy Reading. For more information on Healthy Reading please click here.

Community Forum on Mental Wellbeing

The Westhill Community Forum on Mental Well Being is a public forum and is open to anyone with an interest in improving the mental wellbeing of the community. The Forum aims to open up a dialogue between community members affected by issues surrounding mental health, community services and groups in order to promote mental wellbeing in the Westhill area and to improve service provision.

Forum meetings are a good opportunity to exchange information and ideas, to build support networks and to plan action. The Forum discusses ways of integrating people affected by mental ill-health into the community and looks at existing stigma and barriers and how to overcome these. The Forum meets approximately every 2 months.

Useful telephone contacts:

Skene Medical Centre	01224 849400
NHS 24	08454 242424
Grampian Police	0845 600 5700
Westhill and District Advice Centre	01224 747714
Grampian Women’s Aid	01224 593381
Victim Support – support for victims of crime	01224 622478
Breathing Space – helpline for people experiencing low mood or depression	0800 838587 (6pm – 2am)
Samaritans	08457 909090
Stresswatch – support and information for sufferers of stress, anxiety, panic attacks	01563 574144
NEEDS – helpline for anyone suffering from eating disorders	01603 621 414
Advocacy North East	01467 651604
Alcoholics Anonymous	08457 697555
Drugs Action - helpline for drug users	01224 594700
ACIS – free confidential counselling service and information helpline on mental health problems	01224 573892