For today’s ‘Mental Health Awareness Week’ blog we are shining the spotlight on one of the UK’s leading mental health charities ‘Sane’, whom we’re huge supporters of here at ‘The Lily Jo Project’.
Sane was established back in 1986 to improve the quality of life for people affected by mental illness.
Their main objectives are:-
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to raise awareness and combat stigma about mental illness by educating and campaigning to improve mental health services.
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to provide care and emotional support for people with mental health problems, their families and carers as well as information for other organisations and the public.
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to initiate research into the causes and treatment of serious mental illness such as schizophrenia and depression and the psychological and social impact of mental illness.
Sane provide an array of services such as emotional support, Send A Text, Sane On Suicide and Campaigning.
Emotional Support
Sane provides emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including families and carers. They provide confidential, non-judgmental and compassionate emotional support within their services. There are three key elements used to provide the best possible service which are as follows:-
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HELP – They offer a one-to-one service to individuals who need it the most, this could either be when you have a problem with your own mental health or it could be someone close to you that is struggling. Sane provide this support through SANEline (which is the only national out-of-hours specialist helpline).
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CALLER CARE – For those individuals who require further ongoing help SANE also provide extensive support such as Textcare, Callback and replying to letters and emails they have received.
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COMMUNITY – Sane want us to feel part of a community so that we can all work together to address the complexities of mental ill-health, such as stigma, exclusion and isolation. Platforms used to support individuals include online support forums and sharing of blogs/art/music which offers space to share experiences, thoughts and opinions. Conversations can also be sparked by using social media channels such as Facebook and Twitter.
Send A Text
Sending a simple text to someone you know might be the lifeline that saves them. If you’re concerned about someone’s welfare Sane can provide practical advice and sample texts that you can use to show someone in need that they’re not alone.
Send A Text enables positive action before situations develop into a crisis:-
*Helping people recognise the early warning signs of mental health problems.
*Empowering people to offer effective support.
*Making people in need aware that SANE provides free, confidential emotional support.
Send A Text is a simple but powerful way of taking that first crucial step into Saving A Life.
Sane On Suicide
In 2016, 5,668 suicides were recorded in Great Britain, of these 75% were men and 25% were female. Male suicide is often classed as the ‘silent killer’ as this is the biggest cause of death for men under the age of 45 in the UK. Shocking current statistics reveal that 84 men take their own life here in the UK each week.
Suicide is real, as the above statistics show, so we all need to play a part in raising awareness and preventing it. Sane provides a section within their website dedicated to suicide. This section is for anyone who is feeling suicidal or for family members, carers and organisations who require information. Within this section you’ll find suggestions for finding support, accounts of recovery and a space to share your story.
Mental health problems are far more common than is generally thought. In fact, 1 in 4 of us will experience a mental health issue. Whether you’re worried about your own mental health or you’re concerned about a family member, friend or work colleague please don’t be afraid to call SANEline as they’re there to help you.
Here at ‘The Lily Jo Project’ we’re huge supporters of the work that Sane do to help people through their difficulties. Not only does this wonderful charity support individuals in need of help they also provide it to other resources and organisations such as our own mental health project ‘The Lily Jo Project’. Within Sane’s audio gallery they feature songs from their musical supporters: providing much needed light and hope for people during their darkest of days. Our mentor and founder of ‘The Lily Jo Project’, Lily-Jo is also a singer/songwriter and two of her songs have kindly been featured within Sane’s audio gallery.
Lily-Jo —‘Bring Me Back’
http://www.sane.org.uk/resources/audio_gallery/1819/1
Lily-Jo – ‘Unstoppable’
http://www.sane.org.uk/resources/audio_gallery/1824/1
We hope that you find this blog helpful, if you or someone that you know is struggling with their mental health please check out Sane’s website and social media listed below for advice, information and support.
SANEline Telephone Number – 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm – 10.30pm daily)
Sane Email – info@sane.org.uk
Sane Website – www.sane.org.uk
Twitter – @CharitySANE
Facebook – @charitySANE
Instagram – @charitysane
YouTube – charitysane
Thank you Sane for all you do.
Julie Kirkpatrick
Blogger
