#Littlethings is the national mental health and wellbeing campaign by the H.S.E.'s National Office for Suicide Prevention and a coalition of more than 30 partner organisations.
The campaign focuses on sharing evidence-based, simple and powerful day-to-day steps – little things that we can all do to protect our own mental health, and support the people we care about. People are encouraged to eat and sleep well, take regular exercise, talk about their problems, drink less alcohol and stay in touch and spend time with others – all proven to improve mental health.
The campaign brings you here, to yourmentalhealth.ie, for more information and Samaritans’ 116 123 national free to call number for a listening ear. The work was strongly supported by the H.S.E.’s Communications Division, and is an example of a campaign designed to change the shape and tone of the mental health/suicide prevention sector by encouraging everyone to work together and solve a major signposting issue for the public.
Visit yourmentalhealth.ie for more information.
The Little Things campaign features the lived experience of four generous people who have shared their experience of life’s storms and what worked for them in getting through tough times. Their stories have been animated into TV and Radio adverts and have been widely shared.
Here are the #littlethings that can make a big difference to our mental health and our wellbeing:
- Keeping Active – being active every day, something as simple as a walk, is proven to have a positive impact on your mood.
- Talking about your problems – problems feel smaller when they are shared with others, without having to be solved or fixed. Just talking about it will do you good.
- Looking out for others – Lending an ear to someone else in trouble, or catching up with someone who seems distant, can change their day, or their lives. You don't have to fix it for them - just listening is a huge help.
- Doing things with others – Taking part in a group activity that you enjoy is proven to have a positive impact on how you feel, be it a game of football, joining a choir, volunteering.
- Eating healthily – A regular healthy, balanced and nutritious diet will help both your physical, but also your mental health, and have a positive impact on how you feel.
- Staying in touch – Catching up with friends and family is good for our mental health, reminding us that we're part of a community, and having a positive impact on how we feel.
- Drinking less alcohol – For the average Irish drinker, reducing alcohol will have a positive impact on their health and mental wellbeing, making it easier to cope with day to day difficulties and stresses.
- Sleeping well – Getting a good night's sleep of 7 or 8 hours, as often as you can, will have a positive impact on how you feel. Protect your sleep if you can, it will do you good.
