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The Association of Mental Health Providers’ evidence observatory
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35,847 claims
Regular practice of breathing exercises is most effective for stress relief.
You will get the most benefit if you do it regularly, as part of your daily routine.
Service · Observational claim · From Breathing exercises for stress, [page]
Individuals should seek immediate help if they feel their life is not worth living or have thoughts of harming themselves.
If you start to feel that your life isn't worth living or about harming yourself, get help straight away.
Service · Procedural statement · From How to cope with depression, [page]
People under 18 can seek mental health support through specific services designed for children and young people.
If you're under 18, or want to get help for someone under 18, find out how to get mental health support for children and young people.
Service · Procedural statement · From How to cope with depression, [page]
Individuals can refer themselves to NHS talking therapy services without a GP referral.
You can refer yourself for talking therapies like cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or counselling on the NHS. You do not need a referral from your GP.
Service · Procedural statement · From How to cope with depression, [page]
Talking therapies and antidepressants are available as treatments for depression.
Treatments for depression include talking therapies and antidepressants.
Service · Observational claim · From How to cope with depression, [page]
Individuals should seek professional help if they are still feeling depressed after a couple of weeks.
Get help if you're still feeling down or depressed after a couple of weeks.
Service · Procedural statement · From How to cope with depression, [page]
People with depression should try to maintain a regular eating schedule and continue cooking meals regularly.
Not having a routine can affect your eating. Try to carry on cooking and eating regular meals.
Service · Procedural statement · From How to cope with depression, [page]
Maintaining a regular sleep pattern is important for managing depression.
When people feel down, they can get into poor sleep patterns, staying up late and sleeping during the day. Try to get up at your normal time and stick to your routine as much as possible.
Service · Observational claim · From How to cope with depression, [page]
People with depression should seek medical advice if they are concerned about weight changes or the effects of antidepressants on their appetite.
If you're concerned about weight loss, weight gain or how antidepressants are affecting your appetite, talk to your GP.
Service · Procedural statement · From How to cope with depression, [page]
Antidepressants may affect a person's appetite, leading to changes in eating habits and weight.
Antidepressants can also affect your appetite.
Service · Observational claim · From How to cope with depression, [page]
Some people with depression may experience changes in appetite, leading to weight loss or gain.
Some people don't feel like eating when they're depressed and are at risk of becoming underweight. Others find comfort in food and can put on excess weight.
Service · Observational claim · From How to cope with depression, [page]
Alcohol consumption may increase as a coping mechanism for depression, but it does not help solve problems and can exacerbate feelings of depression.
For some people, alcohol can become a problem. You may drink more than usual as a way of coping with or hiding your emotions, or just to fill time. But alcohol won't help you solve your problems and could also make you feel more depressed.
Service · Observational claim · From How to cope with depression, [page]
Exercise can help lift a person's mood when they are depressed.
There's evidence that exercise can help lift your mood.
Service · Observational claim · From How to cope with depression, [page]
Socialising can improve a person's mood when they are depressed.
Don't withdraw from life. Socialising can improve your mood.
Service · Observational claim · From How to cope with depression, [page]
Setting goals can help improve self-esteem by encouraging achievement.
Set yourself a goal, such as joining an exercise class or going to a social occasion. Achieving your goals will help to increase your self-esteem.
Service · Procedural statement · From Raising low self-esteem, [page]
People with low self-esteem may struggle to say no and take on too much.
People with low self-esteem often feel they have to say yes to other people, even when they do not really want to. The risk is that you become overburdened, resentful, angry and depressed.
Service · Observational claim · From Raising low self-esteem, [page]
Talking therapies like counselling or CBT can help improve low self-esteem.
Talking therapies like counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) can help.
Service · Procedural statement · From Raising low self-esteem, [page]
Writing down positive things about oneself can help improve self-esteem.
Start to note these negative thoughts and write them on a piece of paper or in a diary. Ask yourself when you first started to think these thoughts.
Service · Procedural statement · From Raising low self-esteem, [page]
Negative beliefs about oneself can be challenged to boost self-esteem.
To boost your self-esteem, you need to identify the negative beliefs you have about yourself, then challenge them.
Service · Procedural statement · From Raising low self-esteem, [page]
Low self-esteem can cause people to avoid social situations and challenges.
If you have low self-esteem or confidence, you may hide yourself away from social situations, stop trying new things, and avoid things you find challenging.
Service · Observational claim · From Raising low self-esteem, [page]