Published on: 20th February 2015
Maintaining good mental health is sometimes like trying to keep your grip on a slippery pole – but it can be done.
That’s the upbeat message from the organisers of this year’s SHINE Annual General Meeting and Conference in Lincoln, who are keen to spread the word that, even when people hit rock bottom, there are ways to pick themselves up and be stronger.
SHINE is a mental health network in Lincolnshire and this event – on February 24 at the Ruston Social Club, off Newark Road – is entitled 'Living with the Black Dog' (Coping strategies for long-term mental ill health).
A unique 'open mic' session will give people who have suffered anxiety or depression, or even contemplated suicide, the chance to publicly share their stories and tell how they have taken steps towards recovery.
As well as this “first hand” encouragement, there will be speakers sharing their professional knowledge and personal experiences, afternoon talks and workshops, exploring how mental and physical health are intertwined, personality disorders, and routes to self-help which complement medical intervention.
Shine Director Charles Cooke said:
"Everyone has a scale of mental health which is their own. The slippery pole up which we try and climb is unique to us and everyone is on a pole somewhere.
“Stress, traumas, tragedies and other things try to drag us down, but the Shine
Conference is all about things that can help people to rise up the pole by recovering good mental health.
“We hope we have found some inspirational examples of people who have found ways to overcome the difficulties and rise and understand what it is that we can do for ourselves.”
Book a place by emailing info@lincsshine.co.uk or telephoning 07969 872 804
