Why You Need A Mental Health First-Aid Kit

Keep these essentials at hand for long-lasting emotional well-being

- Dr Zoe Williams

Hands up who knows where to find the first-aid kit at home or at work? But what about if you or someone you care about is struggling with their mental health? Would you even know where to begin?

Most people wouldn’t – despite one in six of us experiencing mental health issues, which include depression and anxiety, at any given time. And it’s not just about management, or treatment when there is an issue; in some cases, prevention is crucial. Just as we take care of our physical health, we should take care of our mental health, too, and working on either one will likely also help the other.

So how does a mental health first-aid kit work? GP Dr Zoe Willams says, ‘Many of these items and actions can help by stimulating your senses to help you access “happy” memories, while others can stimulate your brain to release hormones and chemicals that are associated with feeling good.’ She suggests keeping these essentials at hand for emotional well-being…

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