Living WellCommunity Pharmacy

Campaign Issue 5 February 2020

Take 5 steps to wellbeing campaign briefing

Studies show that one in five of us will experience a mental health problem at some point in our lifetime, therefore it’s important that we take action to look after our mental and emotional wellbeing. Looking after our mental health is just as important as looking after our physical health.

Take 5 steps to wellbeing is a set of evidence based public health messages, aimed at encouraging the public to look after their mental health and emotional wellbeing.

The Take 5 campaign will run throughout February and March 2020 and is the fifth of the five contractual Living Well public health campaigns in 2019/20.

Campaign overview

The Take 5 steps to wellbeing are: connect; be active; take notice; keep learning and give.

Take 5 steps is based on the 5 Ways to Wellbeing developed by the New Economics Foundation (NEF). Evidence from the NEF has shown that building these five steps into our day-to-day lives is an effective way for people and communities to look after their mental health and emotional wellbeing: http://pha.site/nef-5-ways

Campaign objectives

The objectives for the Take 5 steps to wellbeing campaign are to:

• increase awareness that mental health, just like physical health, needs to be looked after and protected;

• increase awareness of the Take 5 steps to wellbeing and tackle stigma associated with talking about our mental health and reaching out for support;

• encourage people to build the Take 5 steps into their daily lives to help protect and look after their mental wellbeing.

Take 5 is a preventative approach and can be used to support interventions, but it is not an intervention in its own right to treat the challenges associated with mental ill health.

The Take 5 brand was developed regionally in Northern Ireland by the Public Health Agency (PHA) in association with Belfast Strategic Partnership.

ConnectKeep learningBe active Take notice Give

Campaign audience

The target audience for the Take 5 steps campaign is the general population. Everyone should be building the 5 steps into their daily life.

Campaign key messages

• Mental health and wellbeing needs to be looked after and protected in the same way as our physical health.

• Building the Take 5 steps into our day-to- day lives is important for our mental health and wellbeing.

Campaign materials

Copies of the following materials are enclosed:

• A1 and A3 Take 5 steps to wellbeing poster

• A3 posters with blank space beside each of the Take 5 steps to add relevant suggestions about local community events, activities or organisations. 4 posters included in the pack to allow posters to be changed over the campaign period

• A5 (8 pages)Take 5 steps to wellbeing leaflet

• A6 postcards Take 5 steps to wellbeing pledge

• Wallet sized directories listing contact details of local organisations that offer services. The directories are specific to each Health and Social Care Trust area

• Lifeline cards (for those in distress)

Pharmacies should display the posters and leaflets in the pharmacy within a designated health promotion display area.

Pharmacies should show the posters in at least one window unit for the full duration of the campaign.

Pharmacy staff should encourage customers to take a copy of the campaign leaflet and a pledge card.

Video material is available at www.hscbusiness.hscni.net/services/3035.htm

All Living Well materials can be viewed and printed from www.hscbusiness.hscni.net/services/3035.htm

Take 5 steps explained:

Connect

Connect with the people around you: family, friends, colleagues and neighbours at home, work, school or in your local community. Think of these as the cornerstones of your life and invest time in developing them. Building these connections will support and enrich you every day.

Social connections are important to support your emotional wellbeing. People with low levels of social participation and small primary social networks are more at risk of experiencing a mental health problem. Having a broad social network, connecting and interacting with others can have a positive benefit on your wellbeing.

Be active

Physical activity makes you feel good, try and find an activity you enjoy and one which suits your level of mobility and fitness.

Regular physical activity is associated with greater wellbeing and lower rates of anxiety and depression regardless of age. There is evidence that physical activity protects against cognitive decline in later life. Exercise or physical activity can improve mood and make people feel better. Activities can also have the benefit of strengthening interactions with other people.

Take notice

Stop, pause, or take a moment to look around you. What can you see, feel, smell or even taste? Look for beautiful, new, unusual or extraordinary things in your everyday life and think about how that makes you feel.

Being aware of what is taking place in the present leads to a more positive state of mind. Heightened awareness enhances an individual’s self-understanding and allows an individual to make choices aligned with their own values and motivations.

Keep learning

Don’t be afraid to try something new, rediscover an old hobby or interest or simply set a challenge you will enjoy. Learning new things will make you more confident as well as being fun to do.

Learning plays an important role in our social and cognitive development throughout all stages of our life. Learning throughout our life stages contributes to self-esteem, social interaction and active lives, competence and self-efficacy.

Goal setting, particularly when self-generated and aligned with personal values and motivation, has a positive impact on wellbeing. While not everyone may enjoy learning in some environments or see positive outcomes, it is the case that the activity of learning in itself has benefits and is important for wellbeing.

Give

Do something nice for a friend or stranger, thank someone, smile, volunteer your time or consider joining a community group. Seeing yourself, and your happiness, linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and creates connections with the people around you.

Helping, giving and sharing are associated with increased self-worth and positive feelings. Giving stimulates the reward system in the brain, making a person feel good and it contributes to gains in cognitive and social functioning, particularly in earlier life, which is important to the development of mental capital and wellbeing. Research has shown that undertaking acts of kindness regularly and over time results in increased wellbeing. Feelings of happiness and life satisfaction are associated with active participation in social and community life. For older people, volunteering is associated with more positive affect and meaning in life.

Connect

Be active

Take notice

Keep learning

Give

ConnectConnect with the people around you: family, friends, colleagues and neighbours at home, work, school or in your local community. Think of these relationships as the cornerstones of your life and spend time developing them. Building these connections will support and enrich you every day.

Be activeGo for a walk or run, cycle, play a game, garden or dance. Exercising makes you feel good. Most importantly, discover a physical activity that you enjoy; one that suits your level of mobility and fitness.

Take noticeStop, pause, or take a moment to look around you. What can you see, feel, smell or even taste? Look for beautiful, new, unusual or extraordinary things in your everyday life and think about how that makes you feel.

Keep learningDon’t be afraid to try something new, rediscover an old hobby or sign up for a course. Take on a different responsibility, fix a bike, learn to play an instrument or how to cook your favourite food. Set a challenge you will enjoy. Learning new things will make you more confident, as well as being fun to do.

GiveDo something nice for a friend or stranger, thank someone, smile, volunteer your time or consider joining a community group. Look out as well as in. Seeing yourself and your happiness linked to the wider community can be incredibly rewarding and will create connections with the people around you.

We know when we are mentally and physically well but sometimes we need a little extra support.Here are five simple steps to practise every day:

www.mindingyourhead.info

Adapted from work by the New Economics Foundation commissioned by the Foresight Project on Mental Capital and Wellbeing (www.neweconomics.org). Artwork designed in association with Belfast Strategic Partnership.

09/18

Public Health Agency, 12-22 Linenhall Street, Belfast BT2 8BS. Tel: 0300 555 0114 (local rate).

Connect

Be active

Take notice

Keep learning

Give

Take 5 Poster 08_18.indd 1 07/09/2018 10:37

A1 and A3 posters

Connect:

Be active:

Take notice:

Keep learning:

Give:

Some ideas, local opportunities and organisations to help you Take 5 steps to wellbeing

www.mindingyourhead.info

Adapted from work by the New Economics Foundation commissioned by the Foresight Project on Mental Capital and Wellbeing(www.neweconomics.org). Artwork designed in association with Belfast Strategic Partnership.

12 /19

Connect

Be active

Take notice

Keep learning

Give

Public Health Agency, 12-22 Linenhall Street, Belfast BT2 8BS. Tel: 0300 555 0114 (local rate).

take 5 poster.indd 1 13/12/2019 15:13

A3 posters

Connect

Be active

Take notice

Keep learning

Give

My Take 5 steps to wellbeing pledge

I will...

How will you Take 5? Put as much or as little in the pledge as you like.

www.mindingyourhead.info

Directory of services to help improve mental health and emotional wellbeing

Southern area 2020

0808 808 8000(Textphone: 18001 0808 808 8000)

Lifeline Information Card_Layout 1 27/02/2017 11:19 Page 1

A5 leaflets

A6 postcards

Wallet sized directories

Lifeline cards

Campaign activities

Encourage customers to make a Take 5 pledge

Encourage customers to take one of the postcards included in your campaign pack and make a Take 5 pledge. If they aren’t sure where to begin, the campaign leaflet will help them get started.

Customise posters with local events and opportunities

The A3 posters included in the pack have space so you can write in suggestions about local opportunities and resources available in your community. There are lots of local events and opportunities available to Take 5 steps. Suggestions to get you started include:

• Connect: provide information about community events and festivals, local classes, men’s sheds, parent and toddler groups.

• Be active: provide details on local leisure centres/facilities, local football/sports clubs, yoga classes, park runs. Walking is one of the easiest ways to get active – signpost to local walking groups or suggest getting together with a friend and go walking.

• Take notice: include local places of interest; parks with wildlife and local nature often have events, art exhibitions, mindfulness classes.

• Keep learning: include details on local classes and clubs, for example sewing club, homework club, skills programmes, swimming lessons, Cook It! programmes.

• Give: highlight volunteering opportunities, support or help out at a local event or club or simply spend time with or do something for a neighbour.

Link with local community groups, organisations and/or assets in your local area

The Take 5 campaign provides great opportunities to link with local community groups, sports clubs and organisations. These organisations will have lots of events and activities that will help customers identify ways to incorporate the 5 steps into their daily lives.

For general information on the benefits of physical activity visit www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/physical-activity

Please also visit www.hscbusiness.hscni.net/services/3035.htm for a list of useful websites to signpost to free activities and opportunities available within the community and beyond.

Examples will include

• Arts Council of Northern Ireland www.artscouncil-ni.org

• National Museums Northern Ireland www.nmni.com

• Sport and leisure and recreation www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/sport-and-leisure

• Volunteering www.nidirect.gov.uk/articles/becoming-volunteer

• Groundwork NI www.groundwork.org.uk/hubs/northernireland

Create a Take 5 steps display

If space allows create a display featuring the campaign materials. You could also include things that link with the Take 5 steps such as walking boots or trainers for keep active, books and magazines for keep learning, make some speech bubbles with messages such as ‘how are you?’ for connect.

This is an opportunity for all of the pharmacy team to get involved and get creative! It also provides an opportunity for the pharmacy team to Take 5 (connecting, learning and giving).

Photo board

Develop a photo board and invite customers to take pictures of ‘what the Take 5 steps means to you’.

Download quizzes

Download the Take 5 steps to wellbeing crossword from the Living Well section on the BSO website and use it to engage with customers.

Download samples of colouring-in pages – often used as a tool to promote mindfulness.

Downloads available on www.hscbusiness.hscni.net/services/3035.htm

Social media

If the pharmacy uses social media channels such as Facebook, Twitter or Instagram to engage with customers, why not promote some of the campaign messages and encourage people to have a go and embrace the 5 steps to wellbeing? Don’t forget to tag the Public Health Agency, the Health and Social Care Board and CPNI in your posts. If you are taking photographs of members of the public please remember to download the photo consent form from the BSO site and ask the person to give their permission to use the photograph to promote the campaign and/or for competition entry.

Twitter: @publichealthni @HSCBoard

Facebook: @publichealthagency @healthandsocialcareboard

Instagram: @publichealthni @health_and_social_care

My Take 5 steps to wellbeing pledge

I will...

How will you Take 5? Put as much or as little in the pledge as you like.

www.mindingyourhead.info

I will go for a walk every Monday with my friend Abby. (Be active and Connect)

Connect:

Be active:

Take notice:

Keep learning:

Give:

Some ideas, local opportunities and organisations to help you Take 5 steps to wellbeing

www.mindingyourhead.info

Adapted from work by the New Economics Foundation commissioned by the Foresight Project on Mental Capital and Wellbeing(www.neweconomics.org). Artwork designed in association with Belfast Strategic Partnership.

12 /19

Connect

Be active

Take notice

Keep learning

Give

Public Health Agency, 12-22 Linenhall Street, Belfast BT2 8BS. Tel: 0300 555 0114 (local rate).

take 5 poster.indd 1 13/12/2019 15:13

Connect with the local neighbours - the local neighbourhood group meets once a month 7:30pm in the community centre name.

Learn to jive at the local bowling club. Classes 7:00pm every Monday.Why not try your hand at a DIY project?

Why not take part in the park run at 9:30am every Saturday in Park Name.

Check out mindfulness classes available at the Church hall contact Mary on tel no for more information.

Local football club is looking for volunteers. Call (mob no) if you have some free time and are interested.

If someone feels their mood or condition is not improving, you can advise them to make an appointment with their GP to discuss it further. There is lots of help and support available for mental health issues through GP practices.

Also inform them of the Samaritans helpline which can help them talk through some of their feelings – 116 123 (free from all landlines and mobiles NI and RoI).The Samaritans can provide a listening ear service.

The directory of services wallet sized leaflets included in the campaign pack contain a list of services including details on organisations that offer urgent help and support. Services are listed under a number of headings, making it easy to find the most appropriate help and support. The services are also listed on www.mindingyourhead.info

Information on various conditions may also be found at www.choiceandmedication.org/hscni

If someone expresses suicidal thoughts and/or is in distress, they can call Lifeline on 0808 808 8000 (free from all NI landlines and mobiles).

Lifeline is a crisis response service which can be used either by the individual or someone concerned about an individual in crisis and can provide immediate crisis counselling over the phone. Pharmacy staff can also call Lifeline and get advice on behalf of an individual in crisis. A small supply of Lifeline cards has been included in the campaign pack for quick reference and the Lifeline number is also listed in the directory of services wallet sized leaflet. If you feel that they are in immediate danger dial 999.

Q: How can I prepare myself for this campaign and any potential questions from the public?

A: Take 5 steps is a campaign that aims to encourage the public to look after, protect and take steps to improve their mental health and wellbeing. For further information on specific mental health conditions, suicide prevention, or training that may help with elements of the Take 5 message, please visit:

• BSO webpage (www.hscbusiness.hscni.net/services/3035.htm)

• To access free 20 minute online training course visit www.zerosuicidealliance.com

• Minding Your Head website (Training section) - www.mindingyourhead.info/training

• NICPLD e-learning or NICPLD regional workshops – therapeutic updates (information at www.nicpld.org)

• Choice and Medication webpage (https://www.choiceandmedication.org/hscni)

Questions and Answers:

Below are some questions and answers to help you advise customers and prepare for this campaign.

Q: What evidence is Take 5 based on?

A: Take 5 steps to wellbeing is based on the Five Ways to Wellbeing developed by the New Economics Foundation (NEF). NEF developed the five actions based on research undertaken as part of the UK Government’s Foresight Project on Mental Capital and Wellbeing. Evidence from the NEF has shown that building these five steps into our day-to-day lives is an effective way for people and communities to look after their mental health and wellbeing.

The Five Ways to Wellbeing report on communicating the evidence base for improving people’s wellbeing presented by NEF to the Foresight Project is available at the following link: http://pha.site/nef-5-ways

Further information on the Foresight Project on Mental Capital and Wellbeing can be found at the following link: https://www.gov.uk/government/collections/mental-capital-and-wellbeing.

Q: Is Take 5 Steps to wellbeing an intervention for people with mental health problems?

A: No, Take 5 is a preventative approach and can be used to support interventions, but it is not an intervention in its own right to treat the challenges associated with mental ill health. The Take 5 steps are proven to help people find balance, build resilience and boost mental health and wellbeing.

Q: What should I advise if someone says ‘I’ve heard that social media is bad for your mental health’?

A: As with most habits and hobbies, if you feel something is having a negative impact on your mental health it’s a good idea to take a break from it. Take 5 can help people do this by changing their focus to other things that they can do.

Q: What do I do if someone requests food supplements or herbal preparations to help their mood?

A: The focus of the campaign is encouraging people to build the Take 5 steps into their daily lives to help protect and look after their mental wellbeing. The promotion of food supplements or herbal preparations to help mood is not part of this campaign. Please refer to advice on dealing with low mood or a mental health problem in response to the question below. It is also important to note that some food supplements or herbal preparations can be misused or can affect and interact with various medications and people should always seek advice from their community pharmacist or GP if wanting or taking these products.

Q: What do I do if someone is looking for help or information for low mood or for a mental health problem?

A: Introducing the Take 5 messages into someone’s daily life should help improve their emotional wellbeing. However some people may need additional help and support. Opening up conversations about mental health and wellbeing can bring up difficult things for some people. You might find that people start confiding in you and others involved in the Take 5 campaign and sharing their own experiences of their mental health ups and downs.

Directory of services to help improve mental health and emotional wellbeing

Southern area 2020

01/20

Living Well campaign competition - win an iPad!

As part of each campaign, the HSCB and PHA will be running a competition for the best participating pharmacy and the winner of each campaign will receive a grant for an iPad.

For the Take 5 Steps to Wellbeing campaign, all you need to do to be in with a chance of winning the iPad grant is complete and submit the Living Well competition entry form enclosed, along with supporting information of activities undertaken and photos of in-store displays.

DEADLINE FOR COMPETITION ENTRIES AND EVALUATION TEMPLATE RETURNS IS 17 APRIL 2020.

Some useful tips when submitting your competition entry:

• Get your entry in before the deadline!!

• Use reputable sources of information when advising and interacting with the public.

• Include photographic evidence preferably in colour to show window/instore displays and activities.

• Note engagements with the public and/or community groups and any verbal feedback you receive during the campaign.

• Submit copies/dealings with local press if applicable.

• If you used social media, send a screen shot to show your engagement – if part of a larger organisation, ensure social media shows your branch.

• For more details please see the campaign cover letter or the BSO website www.hscbusiness.hscni.net/services/3035.htm (copies of evaluation templates and competition entry forms can also be found here).

WINME!

Looking after the mental health of the pharmacy team

Workplaces that prioritise mental health have better engagement, reduced absenteeism and higher productivity, while staff have improved wellbeing and greater morale. Looking after your mental health is important so building in some of Take 5 steps to wellbeing to the pharmacy team’s daily routine is important.

Why not encourage the pharmacy team to get involved by making a Take 5 pledge on the postcards provided - there is useful information in the campaign leaflet to help you get started. This could also be a useful way to start conversations with your own team as a form of team building.

Campaign records and evaluation

Information on the records that should be maintained as part of the campaign is provided in the guidance document for the Living Well campaigns. The evaluation template enclosed must be completed and submitted to your local HSCB office at the end of each campaign. The HSCB reserves the right to recoup payment for any individual campaign if the evaluation template is not submitted.