Canopi
Today officially marks the first day of spring. For many, this is the time for spring cleaning our homes, gardens and wardrobes. But what about our mental health? In this blog, we look at the different ways we can lift our mood and positively influence our mental wellbeing this season.
Becs is an avid birdwatcher and Canopi’s senior communications officer. In this blog, she shares how learning, listening and seeing birds has improved her mental health and offers some tips to help you start noticing the wildlife just outside your window.
Reading can be used as a form of psychological support called bibliotherapy. In recognition of its benefits, Canopi started the ‘Self-Help Sunday’ book series. Here, we share the top five books that have been recommended to us by colleagues.
Susan Cousins is a project officer, counsellor and author of Overcoming Everyday Racism: Building Resilience and Wellbeing in the Face of Discrimination and Microaggressions. In this blog, Susan tells us about her personal experiences and how these brought her to write a book. She shares its key messages on building resilience and wellbeing and offers advice to help you embrace the fullness of who you are, beyond the confines of others’ perceptions.
On the National Memorial Day for Health and Care staff lost to suicide, we outline the basic principles of a suicide postvention plan designed to support people in the workplace after a colleague dies. It contains information about suicide that you may find upsetting. If you need urgent help or support visit canopi.nhs.wales/help-in-a-crisis.
Catch up on Canopi Co-Director, Dr Thomas Kitchen’s talk on the importance of integrated support for social care and NHS staff.
Tracey is a registered mental health nurse with nearly 40 years’ experience in the NHS. She is also a Canopi Wellbeing Ally. Learn more about our Wellbeing Allies, the work they do and five reasons to volunteer with us today!
Gemma is a consultant in the NHS. Between the challenges of work and training, she often felt like an imposter and experienced suicidal thoughts. Read about Gemma’s journey and how seeking support from Canopi helped her become a happier, healthier version of herself.
Joanne is an experienced social worker in Wales. She sought help from Canopi in 2023 after struggling with work stress. In this blog, she explains how cognitive behavioural therapy provided through Canopi helped her to manage stress at work.
Please note this blog contains information about self-harm that you may find upsetting. If you need urgent help or support, visit canopi.nhs.wales/help-in-a-crisis. Otherwise, read on to learn more about the signs of self-harm and how to access support.
According to the British Dietetic Association (BDA), nutrient-rich foods are essential to maintain energy levels, mood and brain function. In this blog, we present five practical and evidence-based ways to support your mental health and wellbeing through a healthy diet.
In our last blog, we identified the five common stages of losing a loved one. Here, we explore eight ‘pillars of strength’ to help us process our grief whilst remembering our loved one…
Grieving a loved one, either through a death, breakup or other type of separation can be an extremely difficult process and you may feel a whole spectrum of emotions. Read on to explore the five stages of grief so you can recognise them in yourself and others.
Julia is a Cardiac Physiologist in Cwm Taf. After experiencing physical illness, a diagnosis of ADHD, anxiety and depression, she started to paint. Read on to explore how art became an ‘essential’ wellbeing practice for Julia and how it might benefit you.
Receiving mental health support is just the first step to recovery and sometimes we can experience ‘relapses’ in our mental health. Read on to discover tried and tested strategies to help you stay well, including what to do if you have a relapse.