The Department of Health and Social Care’s Mental Health Service recently hosted a ‘Tea and Talk’ event for mental health service patients and their guests to demonstrate the benefits and improvement in wellbeing by talking with others.
 
In supporting the UK Mental Health Foundation annual campaign, ‘Tea and Talk’, The Rehabilitation and Recovery Service encouraged patients and their guests to talk about mental health and their experiences, as well as providing the opportunity to learn more about the support and information available to help maintain and improve their mental health and wellbeing.
 
Mandy Cain, Manager of the Rehabilitation and Recovery Service, said: “My congratulations go to the staff that organised the event, making it interesting and informative for the patients and their guests. We would like to thank Dee Stockman, with whom we are working to provide a six-week introductory programme of Yin Yoga for our patients, for her inspiring talk and demonstration during the event.
 
“By focussing on the individual patient’s recovery, the team plays a part in helping to protect some of the most vulnerable individuals and their families in our community.”
 
The Rehabilitation and Recovery Service provides recovery focused rehabilitation programmes supporting the individual patient’s need. The Service offers the patient the opportunity to strengthen their personal, mental, emotional and social wellbeing, focussing on recovery, so that the patient can return to independent or supported living in the community as soon as possible.
 
Physical Activity Coordinator Donna Whalley, who along with her colleagues organised the event, said: “Sharing your cares and hopes can be beneficial to your wellbeing. The ‘tea and talk’ event enabled the guests to chat over a cup of tea in a relaxed and friendly atmosphere, breaking down barriers to mental health problems.”
 
Photo - James Melvin (Senior Health Care Assistant), Dee Stockman (External Yoga Instructor) and Donna Whalley (Senior Health Care Assistant).