World Bipolar Day 2024: Share Your Diagnosis Story
2024-03-30
World Bipolar Day is on the 30th March. This year, we are marking it by inviting people living with bipolar to share the story of their diagnosis.
In Scotland, on average, it takes people living with bipolar 9.8 years to get an accurate diagnosis. We want to change that: the first, vital step, will be gathering your stories. We’re hoping these stories will both challenge public stigma and encourage healthcare providers across Scotland to ask the right questions.
You can opt to share your diagnosis story by video or to write it down. We are also more than happy to have your video transcribed or post your written story anonymously – we won’t share your name or image anywhere without your consent.

If you want to learn more about bipolar, visit:
Bipolar Scotland – Scotland’s charity for people living with bipolar
Or complete a short elearning course at:
Bipolar courses online (bipolaruk.org)

Stress Awareness Month 2024
2024-04-01 - 2024-04-30
Little by Little, a Little Becomes a Lot

The theme #LittleByLittle highlights the transformative impact of consistent, small positive actions on over-all wellbeing. The Stress Management Society this year for Stress Awareness Month want to emphasize how even the smallest steps taken each day towards self-care and stress reduction can yield significant improvements in mental health over time.
We encourage you to focus on making manageable adjustments to your daily routine. While the impact of small actions on their own may seem little, the cumulative effects of these habits can end up being profound!

Connect with someone
Are they okay? ∙ Are you okay? ∙ Check in with your support network ∙ Connect with someone new ∙ A sense of belonging and community can help reduce feelings of loneliness.
Go outside – Spending time in nature is an excellent coping strategy for dealing with stress – try a short walk after work.
Get moving – Get moving any way you want to. This can be walking, running, yoga, stretches, gardening , any that gets you moving.
Be mindful – Get absorbed in what you’re doing – notice you’re senses when doing activities you enjoy.
Breathe deep – Deep breathing has been shown to help with stress reduction and relaxation.
Prioritise sleep – Make small steps to improve your bedtime routine. Wind down before bed by minimizing your screen time, make your bedroom a ‘tech-free’ zone, create a clean and restful environment, jot down what’s on your mind and set it aside for tomorrow, avoid caffeine after 4pm.

Access further resources at: Stress Awareness Month 2024 – The Stress Management Society
OR
Stress and how to cope with it – Mental Health UK (mentalhealth-uk.org)

When to see your GP about your stress levels
If you’ve tried self-help techniques and they aren’t working, you should go to see your GP. They may suggest other coping techniques for you to try or recommend some form of counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy.
If your stress is causing serious health problems, such as high blood pressure, you may need to take medication or further tests.
Mental health issues, including stress, anxiety and depression, are the reason for 1 in 5 visits to a GP.

Green Health Week 11th to 18th May 2024
2024-05-11 - 2024-05-18
Taking time to enjoy your local outdoor green space could bring you huge health benefits – getting outdoors is good for your physical, mental, and social well-being. Regardless of age and ability, there really is something for everyone, including groups and organisations in your local area that can support you.
You may not be the “outside type” but we aren’t talking mountain climbing and adrenalin sports here, we’re talking small steps to make a positive change. It could be anything from a walk to the local park or some windowsill gardening (you can bring the outside indoors too!)

Find activities throughout Highland at Green Health Week 2024 – Think Health Think Nature

Mental Health Awareness Week 13th to 19th May 2024
2024-05-13 - 2024-05-19
Mental Health Awareness Week 2024 will take place from 13 to 19 May, on the theme of “Movement: Moving more for our mental health”.
Being active is important for our mental health. But so many of us struggle to get enough exercise. We know there are many different reasons for this, so this Mental Health Awareness Week we want to help people to find moments for movement in their daily routines. Going for a walk in your neighbourhood, putting on your favourite music and dancing around the living room, chair exercises when you’re watching television – it all counts!

Check Mental Health Awareness Week | Mental Health Foundation for more information and resources.

In-Person Training Event: Suicide Intervention and Prevention Programme (Invergordon)
2024-05-16 09:00 - 13:00 (Europe/London) | county community hospital, Invergordon, Saltburn Rd, Invergordon, IV18 0JR
Who this is for:
Staff who have patient, client, service user, or public contact and who have had no previous suicide awareness training or last training was more than three years ago.
Course delivery:
This course is delivered in a single 4 hour session.
Learning aims:
The aim of this course is to improve awareness of suicidal thinking and to increase their confidence to ask someone if they are feeling suicidal, and to support them to seek further help. In person training will allow for more of a focus on building practical skills such as listening skills and asking the question “Are you suicidal?”
Learning outcomes:
By the end of this course, you should be able to:
recognise a person at risk of suicide
ask about suicide including the essential listening and questioning skills
Describe the impact of attitudes to suicide
Identify local services available to help with suicide prevention.

Book online through TURAS:
Suicide prevention : suicide intervention and prevention programme (SIPP) | Turas | Learn (nhs.scot)

Walk a Mile in Their Shoes
2024-05-26 15:00 - 17:00 | 5SH,, Bught Rd, Inverness, 5SH,, Bught Rd, Inverness, 5SH
WALK A MILE IN THEIR SHOES in INVERNESS
Sunday 26th May 2024 at 3pm
Please join with Mikeysline and other local charities & groups for the 10th annual Walk a Mile along the River Ness and through Inverness City Centre.
This event is family friendly and open to participants of all ages. Feel free to bring any banners or signs to show your support.
The walk starts at 3pm so please try to arrive at least 5 minutes beforehand.
The meeting point is on the grass near the Fishermen’s Hut beside Bught Park on the corner by Ballifeary Care Home on Ness Walk. (See Google maps – https://maps.app.goo.gl/9mVGud8MxaWSAYHW6)

The walk route takes us along by the riverside to Ness Bridge, up Bridge Street and High Street, before heading down Inglis Street to finish at Falcon Square.
Please note due to the ongoing roadworks along Ness Walk and Bught Road, vehicle access is not currently available at the meeting point.

Forest Bathing and Laughter Yoga
2024-06-22 10:00 - 12:00
Join Tree Vibes and Thinking Space for the benefits of forest bathing and laughter yoga.
Sign up here: https://forms.office.com/r/V8K6m103TW or contact lindabirnie@thinkingspace.scot. Invest 2 hours of your day and £25 for a revitalising and relaxing session. Terms & conditions apply.

Scottish Mental Health First Aid (SMHFA)
2024-06-25 - 2024-06-26 | Pultney People’s Project, KW1 5BA
Scotland’s Mental Health First Aid, on 25th & 26th June 2024 at Pultney People’s Project, Wick 9.30am to 5pm each day and attending both days, and this is offered, on this occasion, at £89.65 per person, and includes tea/coffee. Participants would need to take along/purchase their own lunch.

The following is a brief outline of what is covered on the course, which is available for people supporting others:

guidance on being a Mental Health First Aider
attitudes to mental health issues
equalities
the recovery message
the impact of alcohol and drugs on mental health
introduction to suicide intervention
listening skills
understanding depression
how to offer first aid to someone experiencing depression
understanding anxiety
how to offer first aid to someone experiencing anxiety
understanding psychosis
how to offer first aid to someone experiencing a psychotic episode.

The course does not train people to be mental health workers. It offers basic general information about mental health problems. The knowledge presented and understanding developed in the course helps to remove stigma and fear and to give confidence in approaching a person in distress.

Mental Health First Aid is an initial response to distress and all participants on the course understand that this help is given only until other suitable or professional help can be found.

For booking, please contact lindabirnie@thinkingspace.scot

National Schizophrenia Awareness Day
2024-07-25
National Schizophrenia Awareness Day on 25 July shines a light on the everyday challenges the millions of people living with a diagnosis of schizophrenia face and how we can tackle the stigma and discrimination around it.
Find more information about the awareness days and the realities of living with schizophrenia at National Schizophrenia Awareness Day (rethink.org)

Highland Well-Ness Collective
2024-09-08 10:30 - 14:00 | WASPS Inverness Creative Academy, IV2 3JP
Join us for a fun-filled preloved clothes sale, featuring extra stalls with delicious baked goods, relaxing facial massages, FM perfumes, a lucky dip, beautiful art prints, and more!
All proceeds support our free counselling scheme, ‘pay if forward’
Come shop second hand, donate, and support a great cause!
Highland Wellness Collective

World Suicide Prevention Day - Change the Narrative
2024-09-10
World Suicide Prevention Day 2024 – Change the Narrative is a call to action to “Start the Conversation”.
The aim of the theme is to raise awareness about the importance of changing the narrative surrounding suicide and transforming how we perceive this complex issue. Changing the narrative requires systemic change. It’s about shifting from a culture of silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding, and support.
This call encourages individuals, communities, organizations, and governments to engage in open, honest discussions about mental health and suicide. By starting conversations, we can break down barriers and raise awareness, check in with a friend or loved one, share personal stories and advocate for mental health resources and support services. Every conversation, no matter how small, contributes to a more supportive and understanding society.
We have a range of training available around suicide awareness which can help to “Start the Conversation”

Check back for confirmed details including:
Mikeysline will be opening up The Hive for an open day.
Kooth will be running a Suicide Prevention Day webinar.

Prevent Suicide Highland app
This is a suicide prevention app available to people in Highland.
It contains information on urgent help, safety planning, local services, helping others and suicide information.
The app can be downloaded for mobile devices at:

Google Play Store
Apple App Store

Mikeysline Open Day for World Suicide Prevention Day
2024-09-10 10:00 - 17:30 | The Hive, Mikeysline, 4 Strothers Lane, Inverness, IV1 1LR, United Kingdom
Mikeysline are opening up “The Hive” for an open day on Tuesday 10th Setpember 2024 for World Suicide Prevention Day.
Agencies: 10:00 – 11:30
Public: 12:00 – 14:00
Staff and volunteers: 16:30 – 17:30

KoothTalks webinar for World Suicide Prevention Day (online)
2024-09-10 16:00 - 17:00
Interested in knowing more about accessible support options for Suicide Prevention & Awareness? Kooth are running an online webinar for this on:

Tuesday 10th September, 4-5pm
Thursday 12th September, 10-11am

The webinar will cover the following:

An overview of how Kooth.com and Qwell.io work as free, online, anonymous, same-day mental health support service, and how you can signpost to us
Other support services, such as Andy’s Man Club, and an exploration of some resources available to promote Suicide prevention and awareness
What suicidal feelings are and why anyone might experience them
A message of hope
Steps you can take if you, or someone you are supporting, is feeling suicidal
Q&A

Click here to book one of the dates below:
Tuesday 10th September, 4-5pm
Thursday 12th September, 10-11am

Moniack Mhor - Creative Writing for Care Experienced Workshop
2024-09-11 14:00 - 17:00 | WASPS Inverness Creative Academy, IV2 3JP
Are you care experienced and aged 14-30?
Join Scottish author Jenni Fagan and Aotearoa (New Zealand) poet essa may ranapiri for a workshop exploring different forms of creative writing.
Jenni and essa will guide you through a series of exercises on poetry, micro-fiction, and writing from life. This will be followed by an open conversation on writing, where you can ask Jenni and essa about their writing life and experiences, such as how they filter real life, where they find inspiration for their work – and any other questions you might have.
This workshop is free to attend for care-experienced people aged 14-30.
Booking is required, below.
Snacks and drinks will be provided during the break.
If you have any queries please email us on vicky@moniackmhor.org.uk or edel@moniackmhor.org.uk.

Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival - Highland (SMHAF)
2024-10-01 - 2024-10-31
Through the month of October, the Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival will take place across Scotland, including events across Highland.
Explore the full programme or Highland specific events found at Events | Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival (mhfestival.com) or visit Events 2024 – SMHAF Highland (wordpress.com) for more details.

November Poetry Residential for Care Experienced (aged 14-30)
2024-11-04 - 2024-11-09 | Moniack Mhor, Kiltarlity, Inverness-shire , IV4 7HT, Kiltarlity, Inverness-shire, IV4 7HT, United Kingdom
WHEN: 4th – 9th November (arriving Monday evening and departing Saturday morning)
WHO: Any care experienced person aged 14-30, based anywhere in Scotland
WHAT: A fully funded residential exploring poetry, visual art and the environment. All workshops, accommodation, food and travel are covered. All levels of confidence and experience welcomed.
WHERE: Moniack Mhor Creative Writing Centre, Kiltarlity, Beauly, Inverness-shire. There will also be site visits to Abriachan Forest.

Booking form found at VERSES: RESIDENTIAL – Moniack Mhor

Please e-mail any enquiries to Aileen, Edel and Vicky at:

aileen@moniackmhor.org.uk
edel@moniackmhor.org.uk
vicky@moniackmhor.org.uk

Or you can call the Creativity and Care team on: 01463 592 828

MySelf Management - Christmas Schedule
2024-12-23 - 2025-01-03
MySelf-Management is closed from this Friday 20th December through to Monday 6th January, however we do have a few online activities for the two weeks we are off – see below…
If anyone is not a member but would like to join MySelf-Management and join these online activities please email:
23rd Dec, Coffee & Chat – Marion@Myself-Management.org
30th Dec, Coffee & Chat – Kate@Myself-Management.org
2nd Jan, Relaxation – Ruth@MySelf-Management.org
Please note that the Teams link may be sent just before each session.

Support: MySelf Management is not able to provide a 24 hour support service however Breathing Space Scotland offer support via their free confidential helpline on 0800 83 85 87 from 6pm to 2am on weekdays and 24 hours at the weekend (6pm on Fridays to 6am on Mondays). The Samaritans offer emotional support 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and can be reached on 116 123.

Children's Mental Health Week
2025-02-03 08:00 - 2025-02-09 17:00
3rd February – 9th February 2025.
Check back near February for the theme of this Children’s Mental Health Week 2025.

Time to Talk Day
2025-02-06
Time to Talk Day is on Thursday 6 February 2025. It’s a chance for all of us to be more open about our mental health and talk about how we really feel.
Time to Talk Day (rethink.org)
Check back nearer the time for more information.

Eating Disorders Awareness Week
2025-02-24 08:00 - 2025-03-02 17:00
24th February – 2nd March 2025
Check back nearer the time for information related to this event.

University Mental Health Day
2025-03-13
13th March 2025.
Check back nearer the time for more information and resources.

World Bipolar Day
2025-03-30
30th March.
Check back nearer the time for more information and resources.

Stress Awareness Month
2025-04-01 08:00 - 2025-04-30 17:00
The month of April is Stress Awareness Month.
HOW-TO-LEAD-WITH-LOVE
Highland Mental Health and Wellbeing Delivery Group Newsletter Spring 2025

Mental Health Awareness Week
2025-05-12 08:00 - 2025-05-18 17:00
12th May – 18th May
Check back nearer the time for more information and resources.

Take Some Breathing Space - learn about NHS 24 mental health and wellbeing support options.
2025-05-13 13:00 - 14:00
Highland has a powerful community of people
and organisations committed to supporting
people’s mental wellbeing.
As a ‘community of practice’ this session is an
opportunity to learn together about the range
of mental health services available through NHS
24 and know how to access and signpost to the
most appropriate aspect of the service in time
of need.
The session will be led by Lisa-Jane Dock of
Breathing Space. Lisa-Jane is also a partner in
the Highland Suicide Prevention Steering Group

CLICK THIS LINK FOR MORE INFORMATION
NHS Breathing Space event 13th May 2025

Suicide Prevention: Suicide Intervention and Prevention Programme (SIPP)
2025-06-05 11:00 - 2025-06-12 13:00 | Online
Bookable course online via Teams (2 x 2 hrs). Attendance at both sessions is required.
Session 1 – Thursday 05th June 2025 11am-1pm
Session 2 – Thursday 12th June 2025 11am-1pm
Courses are booked through Turas Learn. To register for the training, click here.
If you don’t have a Turas Learn account, you will need to visit the registration page. This video demonstrates how to create your own account.
Please make sure you can attend both Session 1 and 2 before booking your place.
There is an option to add to the waiting list if fully booked

Suicide Prevention: Suicide Intervention and Prevention Programme (SIPP)
2025-06-17 09:45 - 2025-06-18 12:00
Bookable course online via Teams (2 x 2 hrs). Attendance at both sessions is required.
Session 1 – Tuesday 17th June 2025 9:45am-12pm
Session 2 – Wednesday 18th June 2025 9:45am-12pm
Courses are booked through Turas Learn. To register for the training, click here.
If you don’t have a Turas Learn account, you will need to visit the registration page. This video demonstrates how to create your own account.
Please make sure you can attend both Session 1 and 2 before booking your place.
There is an option to add to the waiting list if fully booked

Suicide Prevention; Let's Continue the Conversation
2025-06-24 17:00 - 19:00 | North Kessock Village Hall, Marine Park, North Kessock, IV1 3XS, United Kingdom
A community event to help conversations about suicide prevention in Highland, delivered by local organisations.
We will be showing two short films and introducing a new pack to support people after a suicide. There will also be
an opportunity for us to talk about the impacts of suicide and discuss ways that we can build suicide-safer communities.
Refreshments provided.

Mental health and wellbeing: mentally healthy workplace training
2025-06-25 13:30 - 16:00
25th June 2025 ; 13.30 – 4pm
Mental health and wellbeing : mentally healthy workplace training | Turas | Learn
Who this course is for: Staff working within NHS Highland who currently manage staff
Length of course: This course is available online and can be delivered over a half day or 2 x 2.5 hr sessions.
Expressions of interest for this course should be sent to nhsh.healthimprovementtraining@nhs.scot, indicating which course dates you are interested in (where available) and adding the title Mentally healthy workplace into the subject heading of the email.
Learning aims:
The aim of this course is to support staff with line management responsibility to better understand their responsibilities with respect to Mental Health and wellbeing.
Learning outcomes:
By the end of this course, you should be able to: Identify the key factors that contribute to a mentally healthy workplace Give employers and line managers a broad understanding of mental health in the workplace Ensure managers are aware of their responsibilities in relation to health and wellbeing Improve managers skills and confidence in dealing with mental health in the workplace.

Health inequalities: money counts (brief conversations)
2025-07-01 10:00 - 10:45
Tuesday July 1st, 2025, 10.00am – 10.45am
Health inequalities : money counts [brief conversations] | Turas | Learn
Who this is for: This training is aimed at any individual staff or volunteer of public services or third sector/community groups that work with individuals to provide a service and additional support.
Joining instructions: This course will be deliveried via MS Teams. The meeting link will be sent to participants booked onto the course before the start of the training date.
Prerequisites:
None
Learning aims:
The aim of this course is to support staff and volunteers to know why and how to ask about money worries and where and how to refer on. It aims to build the confidence of staff or volunteers in a position of working with people that may benefit from income maximisation help and introduces resources for how to do refer onto these services.
Learning outcomes:
By the end of this course, you should be able to: Understand what is meant by poverty and describe the impact Be confident to ask about Money Worries and learn some ways of doing this Refer people onto income maximisation services using the available resources.
