An ongoing pattern of missing work, usually due to sickness or unexplained reasons.

A higher level of recognition from an appropriate professional therapy body e.g. (BACP, BABCP) that an individual has met.

N.B.  Some therapy bodies to not have differing levels of registration so will be classed as ‘registered member’, such as psychotherapists registered with UKCP, Art Psychotherapists (HCPC) and Psychologists (HCPC).

A type of listening which requires specific focus from the listener.  Active listening is the practice of paying full attention to and absorbing what someone is saying so that the exchange between the listener and speaker is productive and fulfilling. It is an attempt to demonstrate unconditional acceptance and unbiased reflection. Carl Rogers originally developed the methodology, sometimes known as “reflective listening,” for psychologists in the 1950s. It has since been used in fields such as business and education. When we practice active listening, the speaker feels understood and the listener retains the information so that they are able to reflect and respond productively.

This is an umbrella term for a range of diagnoses.  However, a person can ‘feel anxious’ which is where a person feels the demands made against them are greater than their perceived ability to cope.  They have a mind-body reaction that might show some symptoms of anxiety.  If this persists it would be worth checking with a professional (e.g. visiting your GP), especially if it is causing impairment in normal life.  They will have treatment options for you to consider. Anxiety can also be a symptom of other mental health conditions. Anxiety is the most common mental health problem people experience. If you’re 16 and over you can use this tool to see if you might be suffering from this: Depression and anxiety self-assessment quiz – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

A form of psychotherapy that allows individuals to use creative processes as a way of exploring feelings, resolving emotional conflicts, reducing anxiety and increasing confidence. It can be particularly helpful for children who are still developing the vocabulary to express their thoughts and emotions and it is suitable for all ages.

A mental health condition that causes repeated periods of extreme low (depressed) and high (manic) moods. While everyone experiences variations in their mood, those with bipolar disorder have severe mood swings that impact on daily life.  This will require professional support and the first stop would be seeing your GP.  Symptoms – Bipolar disorder – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

Provides mental health assessment and treatment for children, young people (aged 0-18). It is a specialist service, with referrals through another professional, for example, a GP, Health Visitor, School Nurse, Teacher or Social Worker. The service includes a range of specialists who conduct assessments which result in a diagnosis which informs an appropriate care plan of treatment which may include monitoring, medication and therapy.

A type of talking therapy that allows individuals to recognise negative or unhelpful thoughts and actions.  The theory behind CBT centres on thoughts, feelings, actions, and physiology having an impact on one another.   and manage these by changing thoughts and behaviours. It is an effective therapy for a range of mental health conditions, particularly depression and anxiety. For more information visit here: What is CBT? (babcp.com)

A multi-disciplinary team which includes psychiatrists, mental health nurses, social workers, psychologists, occupational therapists, criminal justice mental health lead and support workers. They provide ongoing support for people experiencing moderate to severe and enduring mental health diagnoses.

When an individual has two or more diagnosed conditions at the same time.

If someone talks to you about their mental health, you should discuss confidentiality with them. Unless you are concerned for an individual’s safety or safety of others, you should not disclose details of the discussion with anyone without the individual’s consent, and even then, you need to clarify who you are going to talk to and what you will share.

Strategies individuals can use to help them manage their emotions and behaviour when facing stressful situations.  These work differently for different people: for some these coping tools will manage the internal state completely, whilst for others it can help tolerate the level of distress to get you through a period of time.

Talking therapy where an individual, couple or family work with a therapist talk through, process and reflect on issues and are supported to form their own solutions.

Provide an Island wide urgent response service for people who are experiencing significant deterioration in their mental health and/or an increase in their psychological distress. Interventions are intensive and short term and are designed to return the individual to a state of positive mental health.

One of the most common mental health problems that can affect people of all ages. It is characterised by a continuous low mood that leads to feelings of hopelessness and worthlessness that impact on normal life. This can range from milder forms to severe despair and suicidal thoughts. Individuals will often present to their doctor with physical issues such as headaches or stomach problems, rather than depression. Treatment can include medication or talking therapy.  Symptoms will have lasted longer than 2 weeks. If you’re 16 and over you can use this tool to see if you might be suffering from this: Depression and anxiety self-assessment quiz – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

This is the process of determining and giving a label to which disorder or condition explains a person’s symptoms and signs.  This will come from a medical professional or as part of a decision from a multidisciplinary team (MDT).

Provide support within the community for young people experiencing poor mental health, and their families. The aim is to avoid the unnecessary escalation of mental health problems as long waiting times can make recovery more difficult the longer the conditions are left undiagnosed.

There are a number of eating disorders that form a diagnosis such as including anorexia nervosa, bulimia and binge-eating. For more information visit here: Get information and support – Beat (beateatingdisorders.org.uk)

Being able to understand how someone else is feeling, or their experiences, by imagining what it is like to be in their situation.

A psychological therapy used to help those who have experienced a traumatic event. Treatment involves focusing on the trauma while making rhythmic eye movements that create a similar effect to the way your brain processes memories while you sleep. This helps individual’s brains to process traumatic memories which can relieve trauma symptoms.

A common sleep disorder that makes it difficult getting to sleep or staying asleep for long enough to feel refreshed.

Having a low level of social interaction in daily life. This can increase the risk of poor mental health.

Where the number and/or quality of social interactions we need is not met. This need will be different for everyone. Loneliness is not the same as being alone.

A practice involving focused attention and awareness to increase calmness and enhance wellbeing.

A reflection of your thoughts, emotions and behaviours, your mental health impacts how you approach and are affected by situations. Everyone will experience times of good and poor mental health throughout their lives.

A diagnosed condition e.g. depression, OCD, bipolar disorder etc. Only a medical professional can diagnose a mental illness. Someone with a diagnosed mental illness can still experience good mental health if they have the right management strategies in place.

A technique where individuals give their full attention to the present to become more aware of thoughts and feelings, and possibly change the reaction to them if required. There are many forms of this approach, which include but certainly not limited to meditation.

When someone experiences unwelcome thoughts, images, doubts or urges and engages in repetitive activities or behaviours.  See here for more info: OCD-UK | A national OCD charity, run by, and for people with lived experience of OCD (ocduk.org)

Concerned with the prevention and treatment of job-related injuries and illnesses, including physical, mental and social wellbeing.

An exaggerated response by your body to danger, stress or excitement that may feel like a having a heart attack.

An overwhelming anxiety or fear of a specific object, place, situation or feeling, which is out of proportion to the actual threat the situation poses.

The ability to feel, manage and express a range of positive and negative emotions in appropriate ways.

A Clinical or Counselling Psychologist is a registered mental health professional who can assess and treat mental illness and psychological problems. They usually do this though a range of psychological treatments, predominantly talking therapies. Unlike psychiatrists they are not medical doctors and cannot prescribe medication.

Working when unwell.  Sustaining this pattern results in poor overall health. It often leads to a greater loss in productivity than would be caused by sickness absence as it contributes to longer recovery time and impacts overall staff morale.

A technique of tensing and then relaxing different muscle groups throughout the body to help create a feeling of relaxation.

A medical professional who specialises in the diagnosis and treatment of mental health conditions.

The process of sending someone (or yourself) to an appropriate specialist service for support.

The ability to mentally react with challenges and pressure before it turns into unhelpful amounts of stress. You can improve resilience by living a healthy lifestyle and changing how you think and behave in certain situations.  This is of course not always easy to do.

Depression that presents in a seasonal pattern. It is usually associated with autumn and winter due to the connection with a reduced exposure to sunlight during the shorter days, however some people can experience SAD in the summer and feel better in the winter.

When someone purposely harms their body with an object (or against an object), in order to manage acute states of mental distress.  See here for more: Where to get help for self-harm – NHS (www.nhs.uk)

A natural response to from the mind to body to manage perceived danger or threats.  It modern day it can activate when exposed to excessive pressure or demands. It is usually considered as a negative feeling, however a small amount of stress is good for us as it is important to drive challenge and help us to achieve our full potential. Stress becomes harmful when it is too high or sustained for too long.  Some body signs of this are headaches, insomnia, fatigue and frequent illnesses, as well as emotional signs like anger, irritability, increased mistakes and being more withdrawn.

Can range from abstract thoughts about ending your life or feeling that people would be better off without you, through to making clear plans to take your own life.

A type of professional support used by those working within counselling and psychotherapy where those delivering therapeutic support regularly meet with a supervisor to discuss casework, receive feedback and develop skills.  It is also a way for a therapist to look after themselves when looking after others.

A form of psychological treatment that involves talking to a trained therapist or counsellor about difficult emotions and feelings including stress, anxiety and depression. This could be done as an individual or in a group setting.

The psychological response to a distressing or disturbing event that can overwhelm our ability to cope both immediately after the event, and in the long term.

Closely monitoring how someone is, and how any issues may be affecting them, without directly intervening.

A combination of an individual’s physical, mental emotional and social health, strongly linked to happiness and satisfaction with life. It is often used to describe a state of feeling happy and healthy.