AN Oldham mental health service has been supporting a South Asian mums' group in the borough.

Oldham Healthy Minds, which is part of Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust that provides mental health and learning disability services for people across Greater Manchester, has been teaching the CHAI Wellbeing Walking Group mindfulness.

Biya Azami, senior psychological wellbeing practitioner, joined the group to run a mindfulness session during one of their weekly walks around Alexandra Park in Oldham.

The session focused on using the five senses to take notice of the present moment, which is a technique used to manage thoughts and feelings in a more positive way.

Mums who attended said they found it to be really beneficial because they were in the here and now, and not worrying or thinking about the past.

Biya Azami said: “Focusing your attention onto the present can help with symptoms of stress, anxiety, depression or pain.”

“There’s a simple exercise anyone can try to learn the technique. Notice five things you can see, then four things you can hear, three physical sensations you can feel, two things you can smell, and one thing you can taste.”

Oldham Healthy Minds run a mindfulness group and a group called Healthy Minds Healthier You, to help with low mood and anxiety, which includes information on being in the present and the benefits of movement.

Residents can refer themselves for these groups or more mental health support on the Pennine Care website at: www.penninecare.nhs.uk/healthymindsoldham