How to guides

It can be hard to spot the signs of someone with a mental health issue, and opening up a conversation about mental health can feel difficult for a number of reasons; many people are uncomfortable talking about their feelings, and mental health issues are often stigmatised so people are worried that they may be judged for talking about their concerns. Sometimes we simply don’t know where to signpost people to for help.

Here at Good Thinking, we have created some practical guides with three simple steps to help you check in with people on a regular basis and see how they are – the more open everyone can be about their feelings, the better:

• Looking out for those around you: Good Thinking’s quick guide to supporting friends, family and others in your local community who may be struggling with their mental health
• Looking out for friends and colleagues at work: Good Thinking’s quick guide to supporting people you work with who may be struggling with their mental health
• Looking out for your friends: Good Thinking’s quick guide to help children and young people support friends who may be struggling with their mental health
• Looking out for children and young people: Good Thinking’s quick guide to help parents and carers support their child if they are struggling with their mental health.

• Mental heath and me: A guide to help boost your wellbeing

There are a number of common misconceptions about mental health and wellbeing. Read our fact checks to help understand these:

• Fact check: Common mental health misconceptions
• Face check: Islam and mental health
• Fact check: Christianity and mental health

• Five ways to good mental wellbeing
• Faith-based guides to good mental wellbeing (including translations into various languages)
• Five ways to wellbeing for children and young people

• How to provide culturally sensitive bereavement support (a guide for practitioners)
• How to cope with bereavement and grief (advice for adults)
• How to cope with the death of a loved one (advice for young people)
• How to support someone who has lost a loved one (advice for relatives and friends)

• How to stay mentally health at university
• How to deal with money worries at university