A free six week course for people with diabetes or heart disease
Building a Healthy Future is a new initiative from Mind, funded by the Department of Health and delivered in Manchester by Manchester Mind. This 6 week course hopes to improve how people with diabetes or heart disease not currently experiencing mental health issues look after their mental and physical health and build resilience for the future.
Living with diabetes or heart disease can provoke fears, anxieties and cause stresses that can result in an increased likelihood of developing mental health issues. The course draws on cognitive behavioural therapy techniques, (CBT) as well as other approaches such as mindfulness. CBT has proven to be successful for helping with a wide range of psychological difficulties.
This course will equip participants with tools and skills to help them cope better with the challenges and difficult emotions of living with a long-term illness.
The course will also provide the opportunity and space for people with these conditions to share their experiences and support each other. Such peer support has also been shown to promote improved wellbeing, and help prevent mental health difficulties.
Ultimately, it’s hoped that courses such as this one will prevent health problems in the long-term as well as reduce future strain on the NHS.
Who is eligible
Anyone in Manchester with diabetes or heart disease is eligible to register on the course, providing they are not currently being treated for mental health issues. There are 15 places on each course, and it will be free to attend.
When and where
Courses will take place across Manchester between September 2014 and December 2015. Sessions will take place on a weekly basis for two hours a week over six weeks.
Manchester Mind believe that strengthening people’s psychological resilience will have positive impacts on their physical wellbeing.
By the end of the course, participants will be able to:
• Use a variety of relaxation techniques
• Identify stressful situations and emotions
• Use and practice techniques to challenge and manage difficult thoughts
• Identify strong emotions and learn how to better handle them
• Learn tools and skills to boost confidence, including setting ‘time for me’
• Take actions to build emotional resilience
• Discuss and share experiences with other people diagnosed with similar conditions
Course sessions will be a mix of experiential exercises and presentations.
For further information or to refer potential participants, contact Ruth Rosselson, on 0752 712 7786, or email: [email protected]
| Attachment | Size |
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 Building a Healthy Future A4 poster.pdf | 939.34 KB |
| Building a Healthy Future poster for medical professionals.pdf | 633.53 KB |
 Building a Healthy Future course breakdown.doc | 766.5 KB |