of Limerick & Tipperary

Emotional health is about how balanced and confident we feel emotionally. If something happens and we feel low emotionally, getting back on track can be difficult.

People do not automatically have either good or poor emotional health. Your emotional health depends on the circumstances you grow up in, the knowledge and skills and experiences collected throughout life, and how these are used.

You can think of emotional health as being a sort of sliding scale. We're all somewhere on the emotional health scale, and people will goup and down this scale - that's part of life and an important part of being emotionally healthy.

In a more positive place:

• Relaxed
• Happy
• Content
• Easy going
• Laid back
• Chatty
• Friendly
• Fun

In a more negative place:

• Upset
• Sad
• Withdrawn
• Irritable
• Angry
• Argumentative
• Guilty
• Quick tempered
• Tearful

No one feels great all the time, and it is normal to feel low sometimes, as long as it doesn't stay that way for too long. If you are feeling low right now, please talk to someone about it. Many people find talking to someone else is the best way to get help because it can help you find the time and space you need to go forward. And whilst talking may not solve all the problems you are facing, it might help you look after yourself day to day.

Lots of people in your own workplace, school, university or community can help and there are also many services and helplines ready to listen and help you.

Find out more about Emotional Health

Here are some suggestions:

• Make time for yourself, to relax and do things you enjoy
• Have a healthy, balanced diet
• Get plenty of sleep
• Exercise regularly
• Spend time with friends and family
• Talk to other people about things which worry you
• Be aware of your strengths and things you find difficult
• Know the warning signs

The trick is to keep mind and body balanced. But life is full of ups and downs and coping with these isn't easy. Even an event that many would say is positive, like starting a new school, moving house, having a baby or getting married, can be extremely stressful.

Imporving emotional health is done though looking after yourself day to day, and through developing emotional skills, improving awareness, living in a supportive family or community and in a healthy environment.

Samaritans believe that people are best placed to deal with their own problems themselves. But we do want to give people the best possible chance to solve their problems, which is why a conversation with us is about helping people discuss their different optons so they can find the best answers.

If Samaritans can improve someone's emotional health by phone, email, letter or visit, they become more confident, secure and self-aware. These people are then more likely to be able to support others. In this way, Samaritans can benefit everyone in the local communities we work in.

Samaritans also work with specific target groups to promote self-awarenss, provide an understanding of emotional health, and provide information on sources of support. These include: Schools, Workplaces, Prisons and the Media.