Mental Health and Life

17/04/2025

The top 1% in the UK hold around £1.52 trillion in wealth. That’s 278,000 households.

A 2% annual wealth tax on them = £30.4 billion a year.
What could that pay for?

Ending homelessness: £1.7 billion
Boosting mental health services: £10 billion
Strengthening public services like the NHS & schools: £30+ billion
Fighting poverty: billions more into support, housing & education

A small tax on extreme wealth could transform millions of lives.
Now ask yourself why the government would rather cut benefits for the most vulnerable, and take away heating from pensioners instead?

Let’s talk about fairness.
Let’s talk about priorities.

14/04/2025

April is Stress Awareness Month — and if your workplace hasn’t even mentioned stress, take that as your sign.

It’s time to prioritise you.

You are the CEO of your life, the boss of your health, and the one in charge of how you move forward.

Stress doesn’t just affect the mind — it shows up in the body too. From headaches and low energy to poor sleep and emotional fatigue, the signs are there.

These infographics are a powerful reminder of just how interconnected our physical and emotional wellbeing is.

Don’t wait for someone else to tell you it’s OK to take care of yourself.

You don’t need permission.

✨ Start small: Breathe. Stretch. Rest. Reflect.

✨ Check in with your body. What is it trying to tell you?

✨ And most importantly, be kind to yourself.

You deserve a life that’s balanced, joyful, and well.

For a lot more on you and how to really take care yourself, consider Mental Health First Aid Training. Get in touch - www.mentalhealthandlife.org

01/04/2025

🌿 April is Stress Awareness Month, and this year’s theme is Lead With Love — a powerful reminder that compassion isn’t just nice to have, it’s essential for mental wellbeing.

Whether you're leading a team, supporting young people, or navigating your own stress, small acts of kindness can make a big difference.

🧠 Stress is a signal — not a weakness. Let’s stop glorifying burnout and start building cultures where people feel seen, heard, and supported.

💬 As Arianna Huffington puts it:

“Stress is not a badge of honour. It’s a sign we need to pause, prioritise our wellbeing, and change the way we live and work.”

💛 To help you take action this month, I’m sharing a Kindness Calendar — filled with small, meaningful steps to lead with love, every day.

Let’s turn awareness into action — one kind moment at a time. ✨

19/03/2025

I'm really happy that my organisation Mental Health and Life has been shortlisted for the Business Training and Education Awards 2025 by Business Awards UK 🤗 Business Awards UK

Congratulations to all the other people who have been shortlisted. I'm sure you are all doing wonderful work within your sector.. best of luck to everyone! 🫶

14/03/2025

The First Rule of Mental Health First Aid? Take Care of Yourself.

This week, I had the privilege of training another incredible group of Mental Health First Aiders. A key lesson they’ve taken away?

True self-care isn’t just bubble baths and days off—it’s about recognising your own needs, setting boundaries, having the self discipline to do something for yourself everyday for your self care, to ensure you’re in a strong position to support others.

Now, they not only understand what self-care really means, but they can also spot signs of poor mental health in others, approach with confidence, and provide informed guidance.

When we take care of ourselves, we create a ripple effect—stronger individuals, healthier workplaces, and a more supportive society.

Welcome to the MHFAider community!

06/03/2025

International Women's Day 2025

In my latest video, I break down:

✅ Why accelerating action is urgent
✅ What still holds women back today
✅ How we can ALL take steps towards real gender equality

https://youtu.be/1x5cFVA0o5A?si=n2RfV2RQUbN-i6rQ

📢 International Women’s Day 2025: Accelerate Action! 🚀💜Did you know that at the current rate, gender equality won’t be achieved until 2158? That’s over fi...

04/02/2025

Be Kind, it's your Superpower ❤️

28/01/2025

Modern society often normalises reliance on medications to manage health, but what if we focused on prevention and self-care instead? 🌞🏋️‍♂️🥗

Prioritising regular movement, nourishing our bodies with wholesome food, getting quality sleep, and embracing natural sunlight can do wonders for our physical and mental health.

It’s not about shaming medication use—many people need it—but rather about asking: Are we doing the basics to support our overall well-being first?

Small, consistent lifestyle changes can make a big difference.

What’s one thing you’re prioritising this week for your health?

Share below! Let’s inspire each other. 💪✨

Come and learn what self-care really looks like, on one of my MHFA courses

www.mentalhealthandlife.org

27/01/2025

Your Gut, Your Mood: The Secret to a Happy Week Ahead!

What if I told you if you feel—tired, unmotivated, and down—might have less to do with your circumstances and more to do with what's on your plate?

Here's the nitty-gritty truth about how ultra-processed foods and sugar impact your mental health and body:

👉 Your Gut Is Your Second Brain

90% of serotonin (the 'feel-good' chemical) is produced in your gut.

50% of dopamine, which helps with motivation and reward, is also made there.

70% of your immune system lives in your gut microbiome, meaning your gut health affects your physical and mental resilience.

Yet, when we fill our bodies with junk food, processed snacks, and sugary drinks, we’re damaging this delicate system.

Eating foods high in sugar, preservatives, and artificial ingredients destroys gut bacteria that are vital for your health and mental clarity.

🍔 How Ultra-Processed Foods Harm You:

Sugar is as destructive to your gut and brain as any toxic substance. It spikes energy levels and then crashes them, leading to irritability and fatigue.

Packets, tins, and canned food? Full of preservatives that disrupt your gut microbiome and inflame your body and brain.

These foods weaken your immune system and create a toxic cycle of cravings, leading to poor mental and physical health.

🥗 How to Turn It Around:

90% of your meals should come from raw, single-ingredient foods (think fruits, vegetables, nuts, seeds, and lean protein).

Swap the fizzy drinks and energy shots for water or herbal teas.

Focus on feeding your gut microbiome the nourishment it needs to produce those feel-good chemicals naturally.

Skip convenience food—because convenience now equals discomfort later.

Starting your week with a healthier mindset begins with respecting your gut. What you eat today determines how you feel tomorrow. Choose foods that empower your body, mind, and soul—and don’t let Monday blues be a regular visitor.

🌱 Let’s get our gut and mind back on track this week.

Feeling happy begins with your belly—what’s one positive change you’ll make today? 💪

Come and learn more stuff like this on one of my courses www.mentalhealthandlife.org

24/01/2025

I made a little video for you all about spotting the signs of poor wellbeing in online meetings!

Enjoy x

23/01/2025

What Does Normalising Mental Health Conversations Really Look Like?

Talking about mental health isn’t just about getting a certificate and diving straight into a conversation with, “How’s your mental health?” That approach? It’ll send most people running for the hills.

Normalising mental health conversations is about fostering understanding, trust, and connection. It starts with knowledge and awareness of how our minds work.

Did you know we’re all hardwired to be negative?

Our brains are wired with defence mechanisms to spot danger – useful for survival thousands of years ago but not so great for modern life. These patterns influence our thoughts and behaviours today.

When we link this understanding to how our mental health continuum works and how stress accumulates – both inside and outside of work – we can start to see the bigger picture.

Everyone has a “stress container” holding their challenges. Some containers are small, others big, and the pressures people carry can vary.

Here’s how we can make a difference:

✅ Understand people’s frames of reference – their experiences, perspectives, and struggles.

✅ Ask meaningful questions: “How are you feeling?” “What did you do for your health and well-being yesterday?” “What’s your plan for this week to take care of yourself?”

✅ Create spaces where people feel comfortable sharing – and where they’re met with empathy, not judgement.

This is true mental health literacy. It’s about knowledge, understanding, and action. It’s about being the colleague, friend, or manager who truly gets it.

If these concepts feel new or unfamiliar, it’s a sign to invest in your knowledge. Mental Health First Aid training isn’t just a course – it’s a step towards becoming someone who makes a real impact.

Ready to become a better colleague, friend, or leader?

Join my next Mental Health First Aid course and start making a difference where it matters most. 📩 DM me for details or visit www.mentalhealthandlife.org

Let’s create workplaces and homes where mental health conversations are the norm, not the exception.