Mental Health Awareness
At STS Counselling Service, we believe that building a compassionate and supportive community begins with increasing awareness and encouraging open, honest dialogue about mental health. Here are some meaningful ways you can help make a positive difference:
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Learn and share knowledge about mental health. Understanding mental health is key to breaking down stigma. The more informed you are, the better equipped you’ll be to support others with empathy and confidence.
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Believe in recovery and the power of healing. With the right support and treatment, many people manage mental health challenges and experience recovery. Healing is possible — and it happens every day.
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Encourage open, stigma-free conversations. Talking about mental health helps normalise it. Create safe, non-judgemental spaces where people feel comfortable sharing their experiences.
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Show empathy and kindness. Small acts of compassion can make a big difference. Offering your time, patience, or simply a listening ear can provide powerful support to someone who is struggling.
What is Mental Health?
Mental health refers to how we think, feel, and relate to ourselves and others. It plays a vital role in how we manage stress, make decisions, and face life’s challenges.
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Being mentally healthy doesn’t mean feeling happy all the time—it means having the resilience to cope with difficulties, build meaningful relationships, and navigate life with clarity and confidence.
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Just as we are encouraged to care for our physical health through nutrition and exercise, tending to our mental wellbeing is equally essential for living a balanced and fulfilling life.
"Early, community-based support can help prevent mental health crises and reduce hospital admissions — whether voluntary or under the Mental Health Act."
The Mental Health Act 1983
Your Rights and the Mental Health Act
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At STS Counselling Service, we believe in empowering individuals with knowledge about their mental health rights. One important piece of legislation in the UK is the Mental Health Act (1983). This law is designed to ensure that people who experience mental health crises receive the care they need while protecting their rights.
What is the Mental Health Act?
The Mental Health Act (1983) is a law in England and Wales that sets out how people with mental health conditions can be treated, especially when they need to be admitted to hospital for assessment or care. It outlines the circumstances in which someone may be detained for treatment and ensures that their rights are safeguarded throughout the process.
Key points of the Mental Health Act
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Admission and Detention: The Act explains how individuals can be admitted to a psychiatric hospital either voluntarily or through detention, and under what circumstances this may occur.
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Your Rights as a Patient: If you are detained under the Mental Health Act, you have important rights, such as the right to appeal your detention and to have an independent advocate support you.
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Treatment without Consent: In some cases, treatment can be given without your consent, but this must be carefully reviewed and justified by qualified mental health professionals.
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Advocacy and Support: You have the right to access an independent mental health advocate who can help make sure your views and wishes are heard.
Useful Resources
The information provided here is intended as a general overview of the Mental Health Act (1983) and should not be taken as professional legal advice. Laws and policies may change over time. If you, or someone you know, is affected by these issues, it is important to seek advice from your local mental health services or an independent legal adviser.
NHS Mental Health Service
Comprehensive information on mental health conditions, treatments, and local services.
www.nhs.uk/mental-health
Mind
One of the leading mental health charities offering guides, helplines, and advocacy.
www.mind.org.uk
Samaritans
24/7 emotional support helpline for anyone in distress or struggling to cope.
www.samaritans.org | Call: 116 123 (free)
Rethink Mental Illness
Information, advice, and peer support for people affected by mental illness.
www.rethink.org