Good physical and mental health

Your health will impact on all areas of your life. 

Making sure you remain as healthy as possible will help you stay independent as you get older. 

If you have a long term health condition, you may need extra support to manage your health, and to access health services so your condition doesn't get worse. 

You can get an annual health check if you have:

• a learning disability
• complex mental health needs
• autism

People with a learning disability often have poorer physical and mental health than other people, but this shouldn't always be the case.  

It is important to have your annual health check to prevent you from getting ill, and to identify any health conditions as early as possible.

This will help to make sure you get the right treatment quickly.

It also means you can speak to the doctor or nurse about any worries you might have about your health. 

Find out more about Annual Health Checks.

There are steps that you can take to stay healthy.

Health balanced diet 

A healthy balanced diet is important to stay healthy.  

Change4Life can help you to be healthier and happier.  

It has information about the types of food you should eat, and in what amounts.

It can also help you to make healthy choices when you shop and has healthy recipes for you to follow.

You may want to learn how to cook healthy meals.

South Tyneside College offers courses that teach skills such as cooking.

You can also look online at websites such as YouTube to get advice about cooking healthy meals.

Physical activities 

Keeping active helps your body and your mind to stay healthy.

There are lots of ways to get active in South Tyneside, including leisure centres, parks and much more.  

See ways to get active in South Tyneside.

Your mental health is as important as your physical health. 

There is a wide variety of services in South Tyneside that can support you with your mental health.  

Some services are open to everyone in the community, and others may have eligibility criteria.

For some services, a professional, such as a GP, will need to refer you to the service.

See mental health services.