Healthy Surrey:

Healthy Surrey

Long term conditions

Information about mental wellbeing and long term conditions.

Last reviewed 27 February 2024.

"Our physical and mental health are inextricably linked and people who live with a long-term physical condition - such as diabetes, arthritis or asthma - are also likely to experience mental ill-health, such as depression and anxiety." Mental Health Foundation.

There is a strong link between emotional well-being and general good health. Improving one will improve the other.

  • Community Connections services in Surrey provide support/activities around healthy lifestyles/health improvement.
  • Psychological therapy providers in Surrey offer support for coming to terms with a physical health/long term condition.
  • Surrey Libraries offer a scheme called Reading Well for long term conditions - which provides books focusing on living well with a range of common long-term health conditions (including diabetes, arthritis, breathing difficulties, heart disease, angina, irritable bowel syndrome, sleeping problems and stroke) and books for carers.
  • The Royal College of Psychiatrists website provide more information about coping with physical illness. Describing the relationship between physical illness and mental health, how you can help yourself, how friends and family can help and places to get support.
  • The Royal College of Psychiatrists website also provides information on Children and young people who experience chronic physical illness and the effect this has on their mental health.

In Surrey there are free services available to support your mental health and wellbeing, including talking therapies, activities and workshops, that you can self refer to.

Please see the self-help resources and links for each condition.

Long term conditions

Sleep problems

Living with certain long-term conditions can lead to poor sleep. In turn, poor sleep over a long period of time can increase the risk of long-term conditions including type 2 diabetes, cardiovascular disease, obesity, and depression. There are small changes we can all make to improve our sleep, and there is local and national support available. More information can be found on our Sleep page.

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