Trapped Minds - A Safe Space for Healing

TM Articles · 2025-07-04T21:34:15+0100

Our gut and brain are more connected than you might think — not just metaphorically, but physically and chemically. Ever had “butterflies” in your stomach when nervous? Or lost your appetite under stress? That’s your gut-brain axis in action. In recent years, science has started to uncover how our mental health may be deeply tied to the bacteria, hormones, and signals in our digestive system. What Is the Gut–Brain Axis? The gut–brain axis is the two-way communication system between your central nervous system (your brain and spinal cord) and your enteric nervous system (the “second brain” in your gut). Messages travel back and forth via: The vagus nerve — like a high-speed fiber optic cable between your organs and brain...

TM Articles · Jun 22, 2025

Substance Misuse and Mental Health: The Overlooked Connection Trigger Warning This article discusses addiction, substance misuse, trauma, and mental health issues. If you are currently struggling, please consider speaking to someone you trust or accessing the support services listed at the end of this article. The Vicious Cycle Substance misuse and mental health problems often go hand in hand. For many, alcohol or drugs are used as a way to cope with overwhelming emotions, trauma, or untreated mental illness. But over time, this can spiral into addiction, which in turn worsens the mental health issues they were trying to escape. According to the NHS, people with mental health conditions are more likely to misuse substances — and those...

TM Articles · Jun 20, 2025

When you’re struggling with your mental health, finding help should be simple — but for many people in the UK, the reality is far more complicated. The NHS (National Health Service) plays a vital role in mental health care, offering free access to everything from talking therapies to crisis intervention. But as demand grows, cracks are beginning to show. In this article, we’ll take a friendly, honest look at: What the NHS does well for mental health Where it’s struggling What you can do if you need help now Despite challenges, there’s a lot the NHS gets right — and it’s important to acknowledge that: 1. Free Access to Mental Health Services The NHS provides access to therapy, psychiatric support, and medication at no cost, which is...

TM Articles · Jun 19, 2025

Let’s be real for a second. How many times have you said “I’m fine” when you weren’t? How often have you smiled through the day but crumbled the moment you were alone? Yeah. Me too. We live in a world that praises strength, but the kind of strength that looks like silence. Holding it all in. Pretending. Keeping busy so no one sees the cracks. But here’s the truth: you don’t have to be “fine.” You don’t have to pretend you’re okay when you're not. Mental Illness Isn’t Always Obvious Sometimes it's loud — panic attacks, breakdowns, crying until your body hurts. Other times, it's quiet — zoning out in conversations, staring at the ceiling at 2 a.m., losing interest in things you used to love. And because it's not always visible, people...

TM Articles · Jun 18, 2025

7 Quick Ways to Support Your Mental Health Today Taking care of your mind doesn’t always require big changes — sometimes the small things add up. Here are 7 simple ways you can support your mental health right now: Take a 10-Minute Break Step away from screens, go outside, or simply close your eyes. A short break can reset your brain and reduce stress. Stay Hydrated Your brain needs water to function well. Dehydration can affect your mood and energy — so grab a glass! Say “No” Without Guilt Protect your peace. Saying no doesn’t make you selfish — it makes you strong. Write Down 3 Things You're Grateful For Gratitude helps shift your mindset away from anxiety and toward appreciation. Move Your Body Stretch, walk, dance — even a few...

TM Articles · Jun 15, 2025

Anxiety attacks can feel terrifying — your heart races, your thoughts spiral, and everything becomes too much. Over time, I’ve found a few small but powerful ways to ground myself and get through those intense moments. Here are 7 self-care tips that helped me during anxiety attacks. These aren’t magic fixes — just real things that made a difference when I needed them most. Cold Water Splashing cold water on my face or holding an ice cube in my hand helps interrupt the panic response. It gives my body a physical signal to shift focus and activates the mammalian dive reflex, which can slow your heart rate. Box Breathing When my breath gets shallow, I use box breathing: Inhale 4 counts → Hold 4 → Exhale 4 → Hold 4. It’s structured and...

TM Articles · Jun 14, 2025

Sometimes, the very best things can come from nothing. It’s a phrase that holds more truth than we often realize — especially when it comes to mental health. When we’re feeling overwhelmed, stuck in a cycle of anxiety, depression, or loneliness, it’s easy to believe that change is impossible. That nothing can come of the emptiness inside. But the reality is far more hopeful. Mental health isn’t about instant fixes or dramatic breakthroughs. It’s about those tiny, almost invisible moments that build on each other — a deep breath, a small step outside, a single honest conversation. These “nothing” moments are actually the seeds from which everything grows. Why Small Beginnings Matter When trapped in mental struggles, the journey can...

TM Articles · Jun 7, 2025

I never thought I’d be in a group of men discussing my emotions. Honestly, the concept would have bothered me about three months ago. Like countless others, I was brought up with the belief that to be male was to be quiet, get on with things and handle the hardships of life on your own. But that silence was consuming me from the inside out. Two months back, I followed my heart and stepped into Andy's Man Club with no idea what lay ahead of me and not even knowing if I'd be able to say anything. I drove past the gates for three weeks, until I found the courage to park up. I still didn't leave my vehicle, until I was approached by an Andy's Man Club facilitator. I immediately felt at ease as he brought me inside and showed me around. I...

Trapped Minds - A Safe Space for Healing

Show only:

Science and the Gut/Brain Connection

Substance Misuse and Mental Health: The Overlooked Connection

Mental Health and the NHS: What’s Working, What’s Missing

You Don’t Have to Pretend You’re Okay

7 Quick Ways to Support Your Mental Health Today

7 Self‑Care Tips That Helped Me During Anxiety Attacks

From Nothing to Something: The Power of Small Beginnings in Mental Health

What is Andy's Man Club?

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