Anxious, stressed, worried, sad, helpless, overwhelmed, confused or angry. It is important to remember that it's OK. Finding the right ingredients of tools, practcies and wellbeing initiatives for addressing mental health, once you acknoweledge you need help, can be hard to navigate. What tools are available? What are the different benefits of each practice? How will it help me? Where can I find a beginners class? CBT? Counselling?Meditation? Tai Chi? Yoga? Walking? Peer support? Open wellbeing takes you on a journey of: Raisingawareness of Mental health Explore the different tools, therapies and practices that are out there. It can be very daunting and difficult to find te right one for you. Understand the essence of each practice, thrapy area or tool. Connect you woth local services, practitioners and classes or groups. The programme will be delivered at our pace, either online, at a community venue or as self study. Mettaminds is dedicated to help you 'create healthy minds'.

What we'll deliver:

• The initial development and development of the programme, including the online platform.
• 50 free places made available to local resdients in Walsall
• An exciting launch workshop where you can meet local service providers and sign up.
• Accreditation of the programme.

Why it's a great idea:

Open wellbeing is a program that connects you to amazing local services and profesionals that can help you. The program bridges physical care and mental health care, which have largely been disconnected. Sometimes we can be put off or embarassed by going to a class or group. Open wellbeing allows you to explore each therapy area. GP's and other services often refer us to classes or therapies. We often find we do not connect with them or they are not 'the right fit'. Open Wellbeing will help to reduce the number ' of no shows' to alredy strained service. Open wellbeing is accessible to all, regardless of age and technical abillity., as we aim to offer the program online and 'face to face' . Imagine finding out about Yoga, tai Chi or Meditation, and 'get involved' in a short session in a safe and non judgemental environment. Imagine exploring the fundamental principles of Counselling or Cognitive Behavioural therapy and being able to ask questions in a safe environment.

Steps to get it done:

• Writing the specialist content for each unit
• Specialists advisory group created and units endorsed by local professionals
• Launch event held locally in conjunction with service providers, local connectors and residents
• Delivery of the program to 50 residents
• Evualution and impact analysis, including destination recording and wellbeing impact
• Accreditation with NCFE to ensure the qualification is valididated

" I was referred to undertake CBT by my GP and to try meditation to help with my anxiety. I didn't understand either. CBT is like counselling right? Meditation, I can't empty my mind as I have too much going on!" (Student x ) After talking with the student and really listening to his concerns, we explored CBT in some detail and looked at the practicl aspects of what a session would look and feel like. We also had a conversation around meditation and ow it could help him acknowledge his thoughts through reflective meditation. Open Wellbeing is a program that helps you explore, ask questions and connect with the right wellbeing practice and local provider.