Healthy Conversations promoting importance of healthy minds
Having Healthy Conversations in Rhondda Cynon Taff is having a positive impact of those dealing with mental health or substance addictions.
As part of the Gwalia Healthy Conversations programme, a Health Action Day was held in Abercynon to promote the importance of keeping fit and well.
The event gave those that receive support from Gwalia Care and Support, the chance to have informal discussions with specialists from agencies such as the Treatment and Education Drugs Service (TEDS), Drink Wise Age Well, Women’s Aid, New Pathways, Mind, Time to Change and Public Health Wales.
Nathan Harding, Gwalia Support Worker, said:
“Service users and people from the local community who joined us had informal chats around their health to help them make informed choices around their life style. Conversations then take place around how their actions can negatively or positively affect their well-being and what positive steps can be taken to make a change.”
The event raised awareness of how keeping a healthy mind has a marked impact on a persons’ physical health. Service users met a Time To Change Champion who shared her experiences of mental health problems to help reduce stigma and inform people of the affects mental health has on the body. TEDS were on hand to offer advice on substance misuse and the effects it can have on the mental, physical and emotional well-being.
Individuals are encouraged to complete a health journal, and Gwalia staff are tailoring support sessions to have a stronger focus on health and well-being. Healthy Conversation events celebrate the positive actions taken and support people to make simple changes in their lifestyle for a healthier future.
Andrew Vye, Director of Care and Support, said:
”The Healthy Conversations programme takes an holistic approach and focuses on the individuals’ entire lifestyle. He said: “Our vision for health and wellbeing within our services is to develop a range of programmes and partnerships to support our clients to access further opportunities”.
“By giving services users accurate information they can make better informed decisions on how their lifestyle impacts on their physical, mental and sexual health, their diet and their general well-being”.
“More Healthy Conversations events are planned in the near future to reach more communities and promote a healthier Wales.”
