Mental health
If you want to improve your mental health,
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If you or someone you know is in danger of harming themselves, visit your nearest A&E or call 999.
Understanding mental health
Mental health is about how you’re feeling and how you’re coping with life. Each year, nearly 1 in 6 people in England will experience symptoms of a common mental health problem of some kind (NHS, 2014). Problems can start from a physical health condition too. Nearly 1 in 3 of us with a long-term physical health condition also have a mental health problem (Mental Health Foundation).
Common conditions include:
- Depression - Persistently low mood, difficulty in feeling happiness.
- Anxiety - Feeling constantly worried, afraid or on edge.
- Panic disorder - A more severe form of anxiety that can also lead to panic attacks.
- Eating disorders - Eating too much or too little, or excessive worry about body weight.
Self-care options for Vitality members
Managing your mental health can be about prevention, as well as treatment.
Wellbeing tips for maintaining your mental health
Self-care
Live a healthier life
Regular exercise, being in nature and eating healthy food can help to boost your mood.
The latest advice on improving your physical and mental health.
Cut out the bad habits
Stopping smoking and cutting down on alcohol and caffeine can also help to boost your mood.
9 ways to stop smoking.
Get a good night's sleep
Having enough sleep can do wonders for your physical and mental health.
How to improve your sleep.
Connect with others
Talking and seeing people can reduce loneliness.
7 types of therapy and how they can help.
As a Vitality member you’ve got access to some great benefits to live a healthier life. There are discounts off gyms, fitness gear, and more. To find out what you can access with your plan, log into Member Zone to visit your Healthy Living page.
And whether you're a Vitality member or not, our Vitality blogs can educate and inspire you to make a change. Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, Twitter, YouTube or LinkedIn to be part of our community.
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Treatment options
If self-care options are not right for you, or you need a bit more support, you could try talking therapy.
Cognitive behavioural therapy, or CBT, is a type of therapy that can help you change the way you think and behave. On the other hand, counselling is an approach that may help you to find solutions to your emotional issues.
Treatment for Vitality members
If you have Vitality health insurance, log into Member Zone to refer yourself for therapy. You can choose to receive up to eight sessions of therapy or counselling from one of the following partners:
- Online therapy with Mindler, IPRS Health, or
- Online or face-to-face therapy with Nuffield Health.
If you’ve added extra Mental Health Cover to your plan, you can also access psychiatrists as a day-patient or in-patient.
If you're not sure what treatment you need yet, speak to a healthcare professional on Vitality's 24/7 Health Advice Line. Log in to Member Zone to find out more about the Health Advice Line, including the phone number.
More info
Here is a simple guide to mental healthcare roles:
Clinical Psychologists
Experts in the way people think, feel, and behave and have special training in the diagnosis and treatment of mental illness. Psychologists are not medical doctors and do not prescribe medication.
Psychotherapists
Psychotherapist is an umbrella term for lots of different types of mental health professionals. The aim of psychotherapy is to facilitate positive change with emotions, behaviours, social functioning, and quality of life.
Counsellors
Healthcare professionals trained in talking therapies. They listen to you and help you find ways to deal with your emotional and mental health issues.
Psychiatrists
Medically qualified doctors who are experts in mental health. They are specialists in diagnosing and treating people with mental illness and can prescribe medication as well as recommend other forms of treatment.
Registered Mental Nurses
Registered nurses with specialist training in mental health. They offer hands-on care for people with various mental health conditions, long term, and short term, usually from a hospital environment.
Community Psychiatric Nurses
Registered nurses with specialist training in psychiatry. They work within the community, either from patients homes or community-based mental health facilities.
More advice and support
Here’s a list of sources of help, including UK mental health charities.
- NHS Mental Health - NHS information about mental health can be found here, or you can call 111
- Mind - information and campaigns about common mental health problems
- Mental Health Foundation - prevention-focused mental health charity
- Rethink Mental Illness - information and campaigns about mental illnesses including schizophrenia
- Young Minds - The UK’s leading charity for children and young people's mental health
- Samaritans - They are here to listen and provide support for anyone experiencing mental health issues. Their services run 24 hours a day, seven days a week, all year-round
Vitality Mental Health Cover
We understand that mental health is as important as physical health. That's why we've given all Vitality health insurance members access to:
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Self-care apps and online tools
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up to eight sessions of counselling or cognitive behavioural therapy, plus
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the option of adding on extra cover for more intensive mental health treatment.
