Every month the Mental Health First Aid Team will post here and, in the newsletter, some information about mental health or how you can build your mental health strength.

If you had a physical ailment, you'd book an appointment with your GP or physio. Mental health issues should be viewed the same: without stigma.

Symptoms can present themselves in a range of ways and can appear gradually, over a few weeks and it’s normal to occasionally experience a low mood or anxiety. If you’re feeling low, irritable, and stressed or having trouble concentrating or remembering things; finding everyday life difficult to manage, or maybe sleeping less, or too much, these may be signs to look out for in yourself or you loved ones.

Nothing can replace the face-to-face therapy or talking with a professional if you are struggling. You can always contact a Mental Health First Aider, and remember that the Samaritans are always at the end of the phone, any time, day or night and they promise to listen without judging you or telling you what to do. A Mental Health App can be an initial starting place for you though, these listed below are some free options to check out:

Name: Thrive

Best For: Wellbeing.

Price: Free, available on Apple or Android. Thrive is an NHS-recommended mental wellbeing platform helping you to manage stress, anxiety, and those days when you just feel a little down. By helping to track your moods and educate you on the best coping mechanisms for managing the down days, You can equip yourself with the best tools to manage stress, sadness, and negative thoughts.

Name: Wysa

Best For: For teenagers.

Price: Free, available on Apple or Android. Wysa combines anonymous, personalised AI chat with guided support from qualified mental health professionals. It's essentially a therapist chatbot designed for teens aged 13 to 18 years old. You'll also benefit from hundreds of courses spanning anxiety, depression, self-esteem, and bullying.

Name: Catch It

Best For: Anxiety.

Price: Free, available on Apple or Android. If you think you may be suffering from more minor symptoms of anxiety or depression, like nervousness or lethargy, an app like Catch It could educate you on the many different indicators of an underlying mental health condition and how to identify them in yourself. It will teach you how to recognise these symptoms, and how to manage your feelings by encouraging you to look at problems in a different way and, more generally, turn any negative thoughts into positive ones.

Name: Chill Panda

Best For: Mental health app.

Price: Free, available on Apple or Android. If you're feeling overworked and run down or have noticed heightened feelings of fear and anxiety, Chill Panda will help with a whole host of breathing exercises, distracting techniques and worry management. While it's primarily a game, the app monitors your heart rate and suggests the appropriate tasks for your current state of mind. Suitable for both children and adults.

Name: Cove

Best For: Helping you express how you're feeling.

Price: Free, available on Apple or Android. One of the biggest challenges, when you are struggling with your mental health, is expressing how you're feeling to friends, family, or professionals who can help. That's because mental illnesses normally convince you to isolate yourself from others. Cove helps you to express yourself in a totally different way, via the medium of music. Capture your mood and express your feelings, whether that's happiness, sadness, peace, or frustration. Whether you create for yourself only or to communicate with others is up to you.

Name: WorryTree

Best For: CBT

Price: Free, available on Apple or Android The main aim of the WorryTree app is to help you manage, record, and take control of your mental health issues. It's essentially an interactive online journal, encouraging you to jot down your worries and fears and then using cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) to help you recognise and tackle your worries. That's your worry action plan, sorted.

Name: My Possible Self

Best For: NHS-approved app.

Price: Free, available on Apple or Android. Designed by the world’s leading mental health experts, this app is clinically certified and approved by the NHS. The app features a wide array of tools to promote happiness and wellbeing, from an everyday ‘mood tracker’, to learning modules for a better understanding of what aspects of life are causing anxiety.

Name: Talkspace

Best For: For talking.

Price: Free, available on Apple or Android. Always been keen on the idea of therapy but not so keen on the in-person aspect? Talkspace offers therapy via text - all it takes is filling out a short questionnaire and they'll match you with a qualified therapist, on hand to text you throughout the day. Their therapists cover a broad range of mental health services, offering advice and support for everything from anxiety to depression.

If you are struggling with your mental health, remember that there are always people to turn to. The Heart of England Mencap team of Mental Health first aiders are a first place to look for support. Click here for the poster with all our numbers.

Or at any time of the day or night The Samaritans are available to listen and to support you. You can call them on 116 123, or alternatively, click here to see their website.