Everyday living
As changes in our mental health can affect the way we feel, behave and interact with others, the majority of people with a mental illness will experience some kind of impact to everyday life.
This section of the website looks to cover the way in which mental illness can change or impact upon the way you live your life.
0300 5000 927 & advice@rethink.org - our advice team provide mental health information & advice on practical problems from Monday to Friday 10am – 1pm.
Physical Health
How can having a mental illness effect your physical well-being? What can you do to take an active role in staying healthy?
Work
Getting or maintaining a job can be difficult when symptoms or side effects make it harder to function normally, or as a result of the stigma still attached by some, to having a mental illness. Take a look at the work and mental illness section for more information.
Education
Find out what help is available to students who are having difficulties with a mental illness during or in relation to their studies, for example in applying for college or universtiy.
Housing
Accommodation support needs vary greatly from person to person, and over time.
Information is given here about the options open to people, whether it be through living with relatives, or finding supported housing in your local area.
Driving
It can be difficult to understand what your responsibilities are in regards to where and to who you should report a mental health problem when applying for a driving license.
If you do not follow the correct procedure, you could be driving illegally which may have dire consequences - such as invalidating your insurance so you would not get any money back if you were to have an accident.
Parenting & children
Mental illness can affect people in their relationships and family life -pregnancy can be affected by many of the drug treatments used to manage and treat mental illnesses, so mothers-to-be and new parents are recommended to find out how any medication being taken may have an affect.
Holidays & respite
Coping day-to-day, or caring for someone with a mental illness can be exhausting and emotionally draining at times. Taking holidays & respite gives the opportunity for service users or their carers to have a bit of time to themselves and relax.
Spirituality
Faith and spirituality are important to many people with a mental illness, yet this is often a poorly recognised and neglected need. Information is given here on the way spiritual needs can be assessed, and also to highlight when spirituality can be a positive or negative influence on someone with a mental health problem.
Stigma
The stigma of mental illness is difficult to bear as long as the media and general public do not understand the nature of mental illness. In order to fight stigma, there are steps everyone can take in helping their family and friends and colleagues understand the subject better.
