Your Mental Wellbeing

19/09/2025

Happy Friday All! I've been working on a wee resource for self-compassion practice! 🥰 I saw the need when working with so many people who know they need to be more compassionate towards themselves but are unsure how to go about it! I often think of the practice as 'how we are' and 'what we do'. Sometimes self-compassion is a condition or trait you show yourself and at other times, it is a considered action you take.

Here are some examples I've researched and come up with of compassionate ways of being & doing in two different columns but I would love to know some of the main ways you practice a compassionate approach towards yourself? 💗 Anything you do or a particular way that you are? Anything I can add to this resource? I'd love to make it a living document adding the most important and effective things for this practice & your wellbeing! If you'd like to explore support further in this way, see details of my private practice in bio! 🫶 Save this to your phone for when you need the reminder!

17/09/2025

Afternoon All! Been a bit of a busy time so apologies for lack of shares the past week. Back on it today!

I've just been working with a client around boosting mood and motivation! I have previously shared the ACE (Achieve Connect Enjoy) model with those who are feeling low/depressed to explain helpful action to take where they can to break cycles of inactivity and withdrawal. I have also just discovered this BACES model resource to include a few more wellbeing priorities and steps towards positive mental health. Always thought exercise or movement should be added in there as an essential for boosting mood which is now covered in the B for taking care of body! I also like how they've added the S for stepping back and managing emotions & reactions!

These models are based around CBT therapy & theory and linked to the behavioural activation approach of mental health improvement/recovery, which aims to reduce the worsening of e.g. depression by encouraging people to engage with meaningful and mood-boosting activity!
I think this is a helpful handout & reminder, more details at this link and the getselfhelp site: https://www.getselfhelp.co.uk/baces-steps-to-positive-mental-health/

11/09/2025

Excited to be running our first of the new term Ecotherapy & Nature Connection events for students from Craiglockhart campus next week! 🍁💚🥳

🌳 | The Wellbeing team is delighted to invite you to its next Nature Connection & Grounding Event from Craiglockhart campus on Tues 16 Sept, 1:30-3:30 pm.

❤️‍🩹 Explore the healing qualities of natural environments
👀 Try some nature-noticing on our woodland walk
🤝 Meet our famous Sycamore Tree and join a grounding practice
🧘‍♀️ Mindfully reflect while walking our ancient symbolic spiral
🗣️ Have a bench chat with one of our Wellbeing Team

Book online today ➡️ https://orlo.uk/rWotC

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11/09/2025

Here are some ways Therapists and Mental Health Practitioners etc. can help you deal with some of the more common suicidal thoughts and feelings we see! Talking to someone can really make a difference! You don't have to struggle alone! 🫶
***dePreventionDay ***de ***deAwareness ***deprevention

10/09/2025

Its world su***de prevention day today and a reminder that sometimes the only thing we can do is be alongside people and hold hope for them when all their home is lost.

Maybe it is growing up in a close community, maybe its the impact of the rural context, but I've known a lot of people die by su***de. I think I was still in primary school when I remember the first local su***de. It still gets me right in the heart when I learn of people ending their life.

I used to not understand it - how people couldn't see that life could be better. I also used to think it was selfish. But becoming a clinical psychologist, and in the last few years having some of my own challenges too, I have a deeper understanding of how complex it is. I also understand that sometimes there is nothing anyone could have done to prevent someone ending their life early.

Before my training, I worked on crisis teams and worked closely with those who had recently attempted su***de. The reasons are many, and one thing I learned is that sometimes the only thing you can do is be alongside somwone and hold the hope for them. Hope that life will regain uts colour one day.

***depreventionawareness ***depreventionday

10/09/2025

An important message on ***dePreventionDay on why it's so crucial and valuable to have open conversations about su***de! I have had hundreds of conversations about su***de in mental health support work over the years and I've found that they can provide the most useful & vital insight as to what lies at the heart of a person's struggle & suffering and can help guide support in the way it will be most relevant and effective to you!

If you or anyone you know is struggling with su***de thoughts or urges, please reach out! 📞🤝🤳 We want to speak about su***de with you and we know it helps! We can hold the hope when you don't feel you can! Crisis support service numbers below or find your area's helpline here: https://www.iasp.info/suicidalthoughts/

Contact:
Samaritans on 116 123
Shout on 85258
Pieta (Ire) on 51444
Urgent NHS on 111
Emergency services on 999

***de ***deAwareness ***deprevention

10/09/2025

Our Chief Executive, Billy Watson, shares his statement for ***dePreventionDay:

“More than two people a day are dying by su***de in Scotland. Each death by su***de is so much more than just a number. Each death is a person whose loss is felt deeply by their loved ones, colleagues and community.

"World Su***de Prevention Day gives us all the opportunity to come together, reduce stigma and encourage the open, honest conversations that help save lives.

“SAMH is one of Scotland’s biggest su***de prevention trainers, and a leading member of Su***de Prevention Scotland – a community of people and organisations delivering Scotland’s su***de prevention strategy.

"Our key contributions include coordinating United to Prevent Su***de, the social movement for anyone who wants to take part in su***de prevention activity in Scotland, and the Lived and Living Experience Panel, which ensures the voice of people with experience of su***de guides work across Scotland.

“In the North East, our dedicated su***de prevention team works closely with local community groups to tackle stigma, while our Workplace team is collaborating with the Construction Industry Training Board to deliver a su***de prevention training programme tailored to the Scottish construction industry.

“We are extremely grateful to everyone who supports this important work, and we want to be in a position to do more, which is why we’re calling on the next Scottish Government to increase and ring-fence su***de prevention funding."

See Billy's full statement here: https://www.samh.org.uk/about-us/news-and-blogs/billy-watson-shares-his-statement-for-world-su***de-prevention-day

10/09/2025

Today is ***dePreventionDay If you or anyone you know is struggling with su***de, please reach out! 📞🤝🤳
Your suffering can end and your life doesn't have to! Your life is much more than your present struggle and YOU are so much more than your suicidal thoughts and urges! You are not a burden, it's ok to not be ok!

Reach out to ask for help if you can. Reach out to those struggling if you can also. There is no shame in needing and asking for help. You are not the only one suffering with these thoughts! We want to speak about su***de with you and we know it helps! Crisis support service numbers below or find your area's helpline here: https://www.iasp.info/suicidalthoughts/

Contact:
Samaritans on 116 123
Shout on 85258
Pieta (Ire) on 51444
Urgent NHS on 111
Emergency services on 999

***de ***deAwareness ***deprevention

09/09/2025

To anyone affected by su***de, whether you’re missing someone you’ve lost, struggling with suicidal thoughts yourself or supporting someone who is going through it right now – we’re thinking of you this World Su***de Prevention Day.

Just a reminder that if you find World Su***de Prevention Day hard, for any reason, it really is OK to switch off from social media tomorrow. Take care of yourselves 💚

We’re always here to talk on 116 123 📱

09/09/2025

Joy can be found in unexpected places.

Discover practical ways to make space for it: https://cal.mn/be-happy

08/09/2025

Was delighted to complete a 28K trail race (and not die 😅) on Sat about Edinburgh with this awesome crew! 🥳 We're certainly no athletes or even regular exercisers nor gym-goers; we hadn't done much training, none of us managed much sleep the night before, but we powered through on a wing & a prayer and with good grit, great humour, hydration and well-timed sweet-treats & painkillers!

It reminded me it's good to keep doing hard things, you never quite know what you're capable of, we all certainly surprised ourselves. I had not walked that distance in a very long time if ever and wasn't sure my knees or body could take it, but my Fitbit tracked over 20 miles walked by the end of the day. Might not seem like much to some but meant a lot to us. And not feeling quite as broken as I expected after yesterday & today! Though the DOMS may hit me yet! 😅

It was such a fun day too, lots of laughter & hilarity along the way walking in a wee gang, even if by the end we were suffering & just focusing on staying alive, the last mile was a quiet one 😆. A little group mission is also a great way to connect, stay motivated & work towards something with pals, it can really enhance the sense of fun, achievement & pride after succeeding.
I feel I also have a little confidence boost now and more faith in my physical ability and as the gang said, a bit more prepared to survive a zombie apocalypse! 😆
Have you completed any physical challenges recently or any planned soon? Do you find them beneficial for your wellbeing? Any survival tips to share?