Staying well this winter means paying just as much attention to your mental health as your physical wellbeing, according to Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust’s MyWellbeing College, which helps people deal with everyday problems like stress and anxiety.

Psycho-Educational Courses Lead Jayne Chapman says: “In these uncertain times, more and more people are facing change and feeling unsettled or unsure – worried about health, relationships, family, work or finances. If that means you’re having problems sleeping or you’re feeling low, we’d encourage you to seek help now rather than putting it off.”

MyWellbeing College moved its face-to-face appointments and services online during lockdown and continues to offer one-to-one support by phone or video, as well as a range of guided self-help workbooks and online webinar-based courses.

Jayne explains: “We’re here to talk you through life’s ups and downs. If you’re not feeling your usual self – whether that’s because of what’s already happened or concerns about the future – we can help you understand why you think the way you do and give you tools and techniques to feel better and be more in control of your mood and/or anxiety. There’s no shame in asking for help. If you can acknowledge you have a problem, then you can take steps to feel better.”

MyWellbeing College has two online courses starting this month specifically for people suffering anxiety or depression. Delivered live online, each course offers a 60-80 minute group webinar once a week for six weeks, supported by an interactive workbook to record your goals, thoughts, feelings and progress. You don’t need any special software or equipment, just a smartphone, tablet or computer connected to the internet.

Managing MyAnxiety looks at what anxiety is and how it can affect people, before offering helpful solutions for managing challenging thoughts, dealing with panic and sleeping better. The next course runs on Wednesdays at 10am from 21 October (other dates, days and times available).

Managing MyDepression has a range of techniques to help manage low mood, exploring why we feel depressed and offering relaxation techniques as well as useful ways to tackle problems. The next course runs on Tuesdays at 5.30pm from 27 October (other dates, days and times available).

For other common mental health issues including health anxiety, panic, obsessive compulsive disorder and specific phobia, MyWellbeing College offers one-to-one guided self-help combining fortnightly sessions with a therapist and working through a comprehensive self-help workbook.

Both the courses and one-to-one guided self-help are free of charge, run by experienced NHS psychotherapists and open to everyone over the age of 16 who is registered with a GP in Bradford, Airedale, Wharfedale or Craven and is not currently undertaking other psychological therapies.

Previous participants have explained how working with MyWellbeing College has benefitted them and made them realise “we all feel the same at one time or another”. Comments have included:

“I don’t feel as alone.”

“Even though I was initially sceptical about being in a group, it felt like we were ‘all in it together’.”

“This was my first experience of mental health support and it has made such a difference to my day to day life in how I approach stressful situations.”

“I’ve learnt that my thoughts and feelings affect what I do, and I now have practical ways in which to break the cycle.”

“I feel much more in control of my thoughts and actions. Things really made sense.”

To register for one of the MyWellbeing College courses, guided self-help or one-to-one talking therapies, simply enrol at the MyWellbeing College website or call 0300 555 5551 (press option 3).