Quality of Life

Volunteering is good for mental health

A survey from August 2006 of London mental health service users who were volunteering says that more than four fifths of them reported positive outcomes from their activities. For more details and the full survey results, visit the Capital Volunteering website.

Food and Diet

Two reports from the Mental Health Foundation highligh research into the link between diet and mental health. Published in January 2006, Feeding Minds - the impact of food on mental health and Changing Diets, Changing Minds: how food affects mental well being and behaviour also support the case for integrating nutrition into the treatment of mental health problems.

Exercise

In March 2005, the Mental Health Foundation released Up and Running? - a research report that calls for all patients with mild or moderate depression to be offered exercise therapy.

Spirituality and Faith

Spirituality is recognised ashaving potential benefits to mental health. The Royal College of Psychiatrists has produced a leaflet on Spirituality and Mental Health, which outlines the relevance of spirituality to mental health and mental healthcare, and explains some of these benefits.

The Mental Health Foundation has completed a Spirituality and mental health - developing practice project. The aim was to encourage increased awareness and understanding of this issue and promote good practice in whole persons approaches.

Positive Steps for Mental Health

From mentalty, some positive steps that we can all take to improve our mental wellbeing.