Mind Waves creative writing online workshop on Friday 22nd May!

We’re delighted to be running a series of online workshops on a range of practices which can support your mental health. The first one is about creative writing and takes place on Friday May 22 at 2pm. Writing can be a helpful way to manage your mental health and share your ideas, especially during lockdown. […]

I’ve finally stopped body shaming my self…and it’s the healthiest thing I’ve ever done

A re-post by @fuzzypeachgirl which feels particularly relevant this week. The Young Women’s Movement have just launched their hugely important annual Status of Young Women In Scotland report, focussing on body image. This issue has also been highlighted with a huge media frenzy about singer Adele’s weight loss (uninvited by Adele herself). There is a […]

‘Week Four in Lockdown’ – A poem by Angela McCrimmon

In a recent poem for Mind Waves, mental health activist and writer Angela McCrimmon explored practical ways of coping with the challenges of social distancing. Today, she uses her writing to share her struggles with anxiety and low mood as lockdown continues. Week 4 in Lockdown – the most challenging yet, I heard myself scream, […]

“Whenever I am dealing with extreme emotions, I read” – The Mental Health Book Club Podcast

A re-post of our previous interview with with the fantastic Sydney Timmins, founder and co-presenter of the Mental Health Book Club podcast. At the time of this feature Sydney and Becky has just released the 29th episode. Two years later, still going strong, they are now on episode 104! Listen to the latest one here. […]

How I learnt that my mental health affects my chronic pain

An insightful post by Community Correspondent Ann-Marie D’Arcy-Sharpe, who is a passionate mental health advocate and writer. You can follow Ann-Marie on Twitter and Instagram. Mental illness has been a part of my life for as long as I can remember. A few years ago, I finally got an accurate diagnosis of bipolar disorder. From […]

“Nothing is the same, yet everything is the same” – @verbisan on ordinariness in a time of crisis

A very special feature on the blog by guest contributor Lynn Blair. Lynn is an Ayrshire-based lecturer and writer who home-educates four girls. She has been published in numerous anthologies by the Scottish Book Trust and Mother’s Milk books. You can read more of Lynn’s work on her Verbisan blog, as well as follow her […]

“What are you saying to yourself? Because you are listening” – a self kindness video from COPE Scotland

We are living in uncertain times at the moment which, for many people, will be a great source of anxiety and distress. We may be more likely to be hard on ourselves for not being productive, or to ruminate over past mistakes. In this encouraging short video, COPE Scotland have some comforting words and useful […]

New Action for Happiness April Calendar

April is here and Action for Happiness have launched another lovely monthly calendar. This month the theme is ‘Active Coping’, with daily actions to help us look after ourselves and each other, as we face this global crisis together. Simply save the photo to your phone or visit AFH website for different versions of the […]

How to give yourself a Butterfly Hug!

A beautiful and helpful video from Trauma Busters, with Amelie demonstrating how we can give ourselves a ‘Butterfly Hug’. This is a self-soothing technique which can bring a sense of calm and help us to process difficult emotions. It might be particularly useful for anyone who is having to self isolate alone, who won’t be […]