Blogs, articles, insights and research
Blogs, articles, insights and research
🧭 Navigating This Blog

Hearing about the experiences of others, and sharing tools and tips to support recovery, is one of the foundations of our culture. We can create connections by sharing about our lived experience – especially those that offer inspiration and hope.

Recovery in mental health is not always well understood; sharing your experiences makes personal recovery come alive. It also supports values and strengthens lessons learned from life experiences. It helps to build community and create connections.

You can find lots of inspirational stories; use the search bar at the top to find stories relevant to you. To return to this page after a search, please press the back button in your browser.

✍️ Share Your Experiences

If you are a registered student and would like to share about your experience, please contact us.

You can read more student experiences on our testimonials page and student development programme page.

📰 Newsletters

To make our website and newsletters more accessible from 2025 onwards, all blogs, tips and articles published in our e-newsletters will be published on this page.

You can also read PDF newsletters published before 2025.

📝 Write for the Blog

We welcome students who are interested in writing blogs, sharing reflections, or contributing creative content to support others on their recovery journey.

Get started by visiting the following links:

If you have any questions or ideas, please contact us at newleaf.wellbeingcollege@nhs.net.

Why I choose to disclose my mental health challenges to employers
Blog, Resilience, Self-acceptance, Self-care, Mental health at work, Communication and relationship building

Why I choose to disclose my mental health challenges to employers

Discover how this student took the plunge to disclose about her mental health and wellbeing challenges and why she's never looked back.

Time to Talk - to myself
Blog, Self-acceptance, Learning for wellbeing, Communication and relationship building

Time to Talk - to myself

Self-soothing talking therapies

Talking is powerful. It gives freedom; to explore thoughts, gain clarity and ask and answer difficult questions. 

There are many talking therapies and services that allow us to talk through our feelings, but what do you do when you just don't feel like talking to anyone else?

This student shares their personal self-soothing talking strategies and the success they have had since using them. 

 

How I learned how to harness social media for my recovery.
Blog, Resilience, Spiritual self-care, Communication and relationship building

How I learned how to harness social media for my recovery.

This student talks about their experience of the latest New Leaf Recovery and Wellbeing College Workshop about having a positve relationship with social media. By reading this short student interview, you'll see what they gained and whether they recomend this workshop.

Reducing isolation and lonliness
Blog, Self-care, Giving for wellbeing, Communication and relationship building, Opportunity building

Reducing isolation and lonliness

Many people have reported that the COVID-19 outbreak has dramatically affected their mental health and wellbeing. One thing that has become quite clear over the past 18 months is that we all need to connect; whether that is face to face or over the internet. 

 

National Honesty Day - don't fear the tears
Blog, Mindfulness, Self-care, Communication and relationship building

National Honesty Day - don't fear the tears


Facing yourself and being honest can be scary at challenging times. However, as our student Anne has found, reflecting and being honest with yourself, as well as others, can play a huge role in aiding your mental health recovery. In recognition of National Honesty Day, we give you Anne's story.

The benefits of creativity for wellbeing
Blog, Creativity for wellbeing, Communication and relationship building

The benefits of creativity for wellbeing

This year, more than ever, creativity and art have played an important role in supporting people’s wellbeing. 

‘New Year, New Leaf’
Blog, Keeping active and physical exercise, Resilience, Hope and recovery, Communication and relationship building

‘New Year, New Leaf’

The five approaches that could change the way you achieve your health goals

The goal of living a healthier and more fulfilling life is something many of us strive to achieve; and this article answers the question: what practices, tools and techniques have been proven to work? The five approaches discussed in this article have helped hundreds of people to achieve their physical and mental wellbeing goals.

25 things to do on the 25th
Blog, Keeping active and physical exercise, Creativity for wellbeing, Communication and relationship building

25 things to do on the 25th

How to enjoy Christmas, even if you are home alone

With tighter restrictions in place this Christmas, more people than ever will be spending Christmas alone this year. If you do enjoy celebrating the festive season, you can still make it a good one by having something to look forward to. Here is a list of 25 thigs you can still do alone or with your household to still make the 25th December an enjoyable day.