Emotional Health

Emotional health is about how we think, feel, and behave. Having good emotional health is important as it affects all aspects of our daily lives.  Good emotional health is about feeling positive about daily life and work and having good relationships with family and friends. Looking after our emotional health is just as important as looking after our physical health. You can listen to some Wellbeing podcasts on the Mental Health website by clicking on the related link, on the links below. 

Mental Health A-Z

Stress

MIND

Here are some tips on maintaining good emotional health:

  • Keep active, see our Physical Activity section for more information
  • Eat a healthy balanced diet, see our Healthy Eating for more information
  • Drink alcohol sensibly (see our Alcohol section for more information and use the Alcohol Units Calculator to find out how many using you are drinking)
  • Learn to relax
  • Maintain support networks like your family, friends, and colleagues
  • Talk about your feelings

However, sometimes unexpected events occur that affect our physical and emotional health.  Some things that can affect emotional health are work stress and anxiety, the death of a relative or friend, relationship problems, and money worries.  These things can lead to a lack of confidence, being unhappy a lot of the time, not being able to sleep, or having problems with relationships.  One in four people in the UK have problems with their emotional health at some point in their lives. 

If you are worried about your emotional health then talk to your GP about it, talking to family and friends may help as well.  There are also many organisations available that may be able to help you:

Community Advice & Listening Line
Freephone: 0800 132 737 (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
Or text ‘help’ to 81066
www.callhelpline.org.uk
Offer confidential listening and emotional support service, and information/literature on mental health and related matters to people in Wales.  Anyone concerned about their own mental health or that of a relative or friend can access the service.

Samaritans
Dial 116 123 from any phone (24 hours a day, 7 days a week)
www.samaritans.org
National helpline offering confidential, emotional support to anyone experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those which may lead to suicide. Face-to-face meetings at local offices by arrangement.  The Welsh Language Line: 0808 164 0123 is free to call between 7.00 pm & 11.00 pm 7 days a week.

MindInfoLine
0300 123 3393 (Monday - Friday, 9am – 6pm) Text: 86463
www.mind.org.uk
The MindInfoLine offers callers confidential help on a range of mental health issues.

Book Prescription Wales

As recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE) people with mild to moderate mental health problems can also be helped by reading appropriate “self-help” material. Many self-help books have been shown to be effective in helping people to manage a wide range of mental health problems. Such books, from a recommended list, are now available to be "prescribed" to patients, under the Book Prescription Wales scheme. To find out more, see the related links section for our Book Prescription Wales pages.

Better with Books (Wales)

Children and young people in particular may find it difficult to talk about their emotions. Reading a book may help them understand their feelings and give them advice on how to cope.

The Better With Books Wales scheme is a recommended self-help book list that encourages children and young people to consider reading a book to help them work through a difficult period in their lives, or who may be dealing with mild to moderate mental ill-health or emotional distress. There are also books available to help guide parents and guardians.

The books include topics such as:

  • bereavement
  • divorce
  • bullying
  • low self-esteem
  • depression
  • puberty
  • anger

Books can be recommended by GPs, parents, carers, school counselors, school nurses, teachers, youth center staff, and others who might be approached by a young person for some advice/guidance.

Books are available at local libraries and can be borrowed free of charge.

Click here to download a recommendation form and for a list of the books available through Better With Books.

Information about a huge range of health and wellbeing services available right across Wales is just a click away

The NHS 111 Wales Health, Wellbeing & Support Directory contains information about a variety of health and wellbeing groups provided locally and nationally that can help people who want advice and information about health conditions want to make healthier lifestyle choices, or want social support to overcome isolation and keep active in the community.  If you have a diagnosed medical condition, you can search the directory for a suitable local support group.  Or if you are interested in getting more active, taking up a new hobby, or learning something new, why not search for a local walking group, dance class, art & craft club, or evening class you might like to attend.

Search our Health Wellbeing & Support Directory