1. Mind Week survey

• 1 in 4 people with mental health problems eat chocolate to improve their mood Family & relationship problems triggered first experience of mental health problems for 1 in 4

• The Internet had more of a positive influence on mental health than a negative one, but only 1 in 4 people had access

• Bleakest months for people with mental health problems are the darkest – December, January, February and November
  • Listening to music was the most therapeutic activity. 1 in 3 people found music beneficial for mental health. 1 in 4 people found gardening helped.

  A new survey looking at the lifestyles of 550 people in England and Wales with mental health problems, including depression, anxiety, and schizophrenia, is released today to mark the start of Mind Week 2000.

  The leading mental health charity carried out the survey to provide new information, about the triggers for mental health problems and the coping strategies people employ, to help the general public think about looking after their own mental health.

  During Mind Week, the charity will also launch a Mind Meal - a recipe created by a nutritionist to help improve mood (see separate press release and recipe card).

  Key findings of the Mind Week survey:

• 1 in 4 people said chocolate improved their mood but 10% of respondents also said that chocolate had a negative effect on their mental health. Many people recognised that chocolate only improved their mood short-term.
  • Listening to music was the single most therapeutic activity cited by people, with over a third (39%) of people saying they found music beneficial for mental health. 25% said gardening was beneficial, 24% said writing, and 7% said walking.
  • 26% of people said relationship and family problems had triggered their first experience of mental health problems. 15% cited childhood and schooling, 15% cited bereavement, and 14% said that stress at work or unemployment was the trigger.
  • The Internet was thought to have more of a positive influence on mental health than a negative one, reducing feelings of isolation (34% compared to 21%), but only 1 in 4 people with mental health problems surveyed had access to the Internet.
  • 76% of people said that specific times of the year had a negative effect on their mental health – the most ‘miserable’ months being December (56%) and January (54%).
  • A massive 88% of respondents thought that there was a link between their physical and mental health, and vice-versa.
  • Nearly three-quarters of respondents (71%) felt that they had developed a greater insight into their spirituality, or felt more in touch with themselves as a result of their mental health problems.
    • Particular events had a negative effect on mental health. 49% mentioned Christmas, 19% said New Year , 18% said birthdays, 4% said bank holidays, and 3% said special days like Valentines Day, Fathers Day and Mothers Day.
  • Blue was the most popular colour to have a positive effect on people (31%), then Yellow (23%) and then Green (19%).

  Judi Clements, Mind’s Chief Executive said: "Our survey highlights the everyday things we can all do to look after our own mental health. This will not eliminate mental health problems, but can go some way towards helping people maintain good mental and physical health."

  During Mind Week, Local Mind Associations and Mind shops across England and Wales will be holding various events aimed at improving the general public’s understanding of mental health. Events will include:

• Comedy night in Ipswich (East Suffolk Mind) – 15 ^th May
• Stress busting demonstrations (Mind shop, Gosport) – 15 ^th -20 ^th
• Garden week and Gardening Question Time (Mind shop, Ipswich) – 15 ^th
• Art exhibition (Derby Mind) – 15 ^th -19 ^th
• Antiques Roadshow (Mind shop, York) – 18 ^th
• Pamper Yourself Day - aromatherapy, foot spa (Washington Mind) – 19 ^th

  ***ENDS***