Advice and information
Living with mental illness
Information on wellbeing, physical health, BAME & LGBT+ and studying

Wellbeing & physical health

Looking after your wellbeing and physical health can be beneficial to helping your mental health. This section includes information on drinking, smoking, being active and getting a good nights sleep.

Long COVID and mental health

For most people, the symptoms of COVID-19 will pass within a few days or weeks. But for some people the effects can last for weeks or months. This condition is called long COVID. It can affect your mental health.

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Physical activity and mental health

This section gives information on being active and mental health. It explains how to improve physical and mental health by being physically active. This information is for people affected by mental illness in England who are 18 or over. It’s also for their carers, friends and relatives.

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Teeth, eyes and feet

If you have a long term mental illness, it is important that you have your teeth, eyes and feet checked regularly. This page give you more information about registering and paying for these services.

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Smoking and mental health

This page gives information on smoking and mental health. It explains ways to help stop smoking. This information is for people who smoke and have mental health issues and their carers, relatives, and friends.

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Severe mental illness and physical health checks

If you have been diagnosed with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder or psychosis, your GP should ensure that you have regular annual checkups. This page tells you all you need to know.

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How can I improve my sleep?

Problems with sleep can affect how you feel physically and mentally, and how you feel can also affect how you sleep. Certain medications can also affect your sleep, causing you to sleep too much or not enough.

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Managing type 2 diabetes

Having severe mental illness can mean you are more likely to develop type 2 diabetes. This page explains about the symptoms, signs, causes and treatments for type 2 diabetes. It also explains how to reduce risk. This information is for anyone who lives with mental illness and diabetes. And their carers, relatives and friends.

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Stress - How to cope

If you are struggling to cope with life pressures, you might be stressed. This section explains the common symptoms and causes of stress. It also looks at some of the ways you can try to reduce stress.

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What's reasonable at work? A guide to rights at work for people living with mental illness

Many people with a mental illness have a legal right to ask an employer for changes to be made to their jobs and workplaces. These changes ensure that, as long as you have the rights skills for it, there are no barriers to you being able to apply for or carry out a job.

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Spirituality, religion and mental illness

Spirituality and religion can play an important role in your life. This section looks at what spirituality and religion are. This information is for people affected by mental illness in England who are 18 or over. It’s also for their carers, friends and relatives.

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LGBTplus mental health

LGBT+ people are at a greater risk of poor mental health and wellbeing. As a minority, you may have to deal with difficult experiences like discrimination because of your sexuality or gender identity. This can have an impact on your mental health. This information looks at issues that may affect LGBT+ people and how to get support. This section is for LGBT+ people who’re over 18 and live in England, and anyone interested in LGBT+ people mental health.

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Studying and mental illness

Learning something new can be a positive and enjoyable experience. It can help you to build confidence, increase your skills and improve your mental health. But it can sometimes be challenging and stressful. This section looks at studying with a mental illness. It covers what help is available and things to think about when deciding what and where to study. This section is for people living with mental illness and their friends and family.

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Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) mental health

If you are from a Black, Asian, or Minority Ethnic (BAME) background, you may face specific issues relating to your mental health. This section gives information on your options for support and treatment to help resolve specific issues. This section is for anyone interested in BAME mental health. You may also find this information helpful if you care for someone from a BAME background.

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Flu vaccination and severe mental illness

You might be living with a severe mental illness or caring for someone who does. You may be able to get a free flu vaccination on the NHS.

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