One in four people will suffer from a mental health problem at some point in their lives. That is a shocking statistic. Mental ill health can affect anyone and sadly sufferers can experience stigma around their illness. This can impact upon their lives very negatively.

Happily, this is starting to change. Awareness of mental illness is growing thanks to the work of charities and organisations that provide support to sufferers and their families and friends.

I attended an event today which was organised by one such local charity, ‘Second Thoughts,’ for World Mental Health Day. The charity supports people with mental health problems and their carers in the East Riding of Yorkshire, Hull and the surrounding areas. It offers many valuable services like teaching people life skills, stress management workshops and individual support.

They joined forces with other local groups and organisations, to hold the informal event where those with mental health issues and their carers could find out about what help and support is on offer in the area.

Greg Harman from Second Thoughts had just appeared on local radio talking about the great work they are doing in the smaller communities in East Yorkshire. The charity offers small groups a four-week course and topics covered in groups include peer support, support for employers, support for carers and ongoing individual support. You can find out further information on their website: http://secondthoughtseastyorkshire.btck.co.uk/

I met Sally, from the newly set up Autism charity ‘Aim Higher.’ She voiced her frustration that there was nothing out there for families of autistic children, who often face significant mental health and educational barriers. She is currently trying to get local businesses and radio stations involved to promote the charity’s work. Aim Higher offers workshops and support groups and are always keen to get ideas about the kind of groups that service users might want. For more information on Aim Higher and what they do, have a look at their website at:  http://aimhigher-online.weebly.com/

Rethink, the mental health charity, were also at the event today. They do a lot of work around raising awareness of mental health conditions and provide practical support and advice on issues such as benefits, debt and the Mental Health Act. This is so valuable, not only for sufferers, but also for their families or carers, who might be taking care of these things on their behalf. They produce a series of very informative factsheets on mental illness and other issues. You can see these and more at: https://www.rethink.org/

It’s fantastic that there’s support available for carers, as mental illness doesn’t just affect the sufferer, it affects these around them. Hopefully at some point I will be doing some work with local carer’s groups, to demonstrate how hypnotherapy can help them and their loved ones deal with the stresses, strains and fraught emotions that come with mental illness.

Hypnotherapy and mental illness: How can it help?

Life is stressful, and there can be any number of triggers for mental health problems. I find that a theme for many of my clients is ‘unfinished business.’ This might be grief, trauma or any other feelings or emotions which haven’t been dealt with. Hypnotherapy delves deep into the subconscious to address and remove these negative emotions, then true healing can begin. It’s a relaxing, gentle treatment which helps people deal with negative thoughts, overcome anxiety and increase confidence.

Hypnotherapy is becoming an increasingly popular treatment for depression. Research has shown that it can be very successful. As well as releasing negative memories and emotions, it can even improve the ability to affect the physical body. The mind and body are often treated as two separate entities, but usually if all is not well with the mind, it can manifest in the body in some way. Chronic pain, digestive problems and headaches are common in those who suffer from depression.

There’s no ‘magic’ in hypnotherapy, just simple, concentrated techniques which allow individuals to take control of their emotional state. It teaches coping strategies to help you get well and stay well.

Hypnotherapy breaks the barriers that are holding you back from being happy and healthy, what have you got to lose by giving it a try?