This Week's Most Remarkable Stories About Mental Health UK
Mental Health in the UK
Since the NHS was first introduced 70 years ago, physical health has seen medical advancements and treatments, free at the point of need. Mental health has not had the same benefits.
Many reported feeling positive about their mental health, yet were worried that others might not. They also discussed the effect of economic hardship on their own and other' mental health.
1. Get help
The first step to taking care of your mental health. This can be difficult however it's essential to your health. There are several ways to get assistance, including therapy and lifestyle adjustments. Each treatment is unique and therefore it is important to determine what works best for you.
Recognizing that you or someone else you know suffers from a mental illness is the first step to getting assistance. If you notice an alteration in the way someone you know thinks, feels or acts, it's important to act. In most cases, this means speaking to them and asking for help. You may also want to think about joining a support group, which could help you find others who know what you're going through.
You should also talk to your family and acquaintances about how you're feeling. They could be an ear to listen and even refer you to a professional. Additionally, discussing your feelings can be a form of stress relief and will help you gain perspective on what's happening in your life.
Mental health issues can cause a variety of symptoms. They range from anxiety and depression to bipolar disorder and even schizophrenia. The severity of these problems varies widely from person to person making it difficult to know when it is a natural response to stress or the sign of an illness that is serious.
Mental illnesses can have a huge impact on a person’s daily life. They can affect everything from their work and relationships to their overall wellbeing and happiness. They can also have a significant impact on your physical health. People with mental health issues are more likely than others to suffer from physical symptoms that aren't medically explained.
In recent years there has been a shift in the way we view mental health. The stigma associated with mental illness is decreasing, and more people are seeking treatment. Self-care is the first step towards living a healthier, happier life. The best way to start is with a primary medical professional. They can suggest a qualified psychologist, counselor or psychiatrist who specializes in mental health issues.
2. Keeping it up
A myriad of tragic news stories, prominent campaigns and growing awareness have given mental health issues the importance they merit. But, we have a long way to get to where physical and mental health are considered equal priorities in the UK.
In England the UK, mental health services are not ring-fenced and are subject to the same pressures as acute or physical healthcare services in terms of funding. This has led to anecdotal reports that a similar disinvestment levels are taking place, but hard evidence on this is difficult to come by. The lack of data consolidated regarding the condition of local services and the fact that the most important performance indicators are the same for the entire system (e.g. the maximum wait time of 18 weeks to refer a patient from primary care to a specialist) apply to both mental and physical health, but are interpreted differently when it is time to define a budget and monitoring service availability and quality.
To tackle this issue an innovative approach to building mental resilience is required. This must be led by local people who are familiar with their communities, for instance religious groups and community groups. These groups will need to be supported and guided by the proper training, resources, and support to grow their role in promoting mental health for all age groups.
GPs should also be provided with the resources to offer regular check-ins that are not overburdened with demand and can connect patients to self-management advice or peer assistance. This will ease the pressure on the NHS as a whole and increase the capacity within the mental health services.
The general public must also be encouraged to play an active role in their own well-being by taking control of their leisure time, adopting healthier choices and seeking help when needed. This could be through volunteering, participating in community events, or fundraising for local mental health charities as well as by organising or attending workplace health events, such as mindfulness sessions.
3. Controlling the situation
The UK is a leader in the world in terms of mental healthcare. There is still a lot of work to do. Many people who suffer from mental health issues still do not seek help because of the stigma attached to them. In reality, they typically wait until their symptoms get severe before seeking medical assistance. This could lead to an extended period of suffering, higher costs, and a greater risk of developing life-threatening diseases such as heart disease or cancer.
The good news is that mental healthcare has improved since the NHS was launched over 70 years ago. Treatment options and treatments are more advanced, and mental illness are being talked about more openly than ever before. But there is still more to be done, and stigma is still a major obstacle.
As the number of people suffering from mental health issues continues to rise the demand for services is growing. The government has committed to invest PS2.3 billion per year to improve and transform mental health services in the country. how do you get a mental health assessment will allow 2 million more people who can access assistance and improve health outcomes.
There is also more being made to address the gap in the amount of money allocated to physical and mental health, as well the obstacles that prevent people from getting help. For example, a new fund is being created to provide culturally-appropriate advocacy services for people from minority communities, and a national programme is being developed to support the training of frontline staff in mental health.
There are also plans to introduce a network of specialised mental health ambulances. This will decrease the number of general ambulance calls for patients in crisis and improve response time and care for those suffering from mental health needs. book a mental health assessment is also expanding its investment in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) by another PS7 million to reduce waiting times and increase the number of people who receive assistance.
There is always someone to help you if you are experiencing a difficult time. You can contact the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit one of their local branches. They offer free, confidential and non-judgmental help to anyone in emotional trouble. They are available via phone, email or mail 24 hours a days.
4. Insisting on action
It's important to act when you're concerned about your mental well-being. The right help can keep you healthy and well.
One of four people in the UK will experience mental illness at some time in their lives, however, it's important to keep in mind that you can recover from most mental health issues. The majority of them are short-term, mild and can be treated with medication by a GP. Certain conditions, such as depression and anxiety may be the result of difficult life circumstances, like grieving over a loss or break-up in a relationship. Stress at work can also be a contributing factor.
We can all take steps to ensure our mental health and well-being, such as eating an appropriate diet, getting enough rest, being active and managing stress. Each person's needs differ and, at times, we require additional help. This could be through talking therapies, occupational therapists or medications.
There are numerous organizations and support services to assist people with various issues, including housing, debts, addictions and eating disorders. The government has set out its goals for the mental health system in the Five Year Forward View however it is our responsibility to ensure that these aspirations are realized.
As the Time for Action Report highlights investing in the mental health of children and adolescents is vital. However, public spending on CAMHS is currently behind spending on adult mental health services. funding is a postcode lottery.
Health and social care providers are increasingly placing prevention at the heart of their work to improve the mental health of their communities. This is evident in the Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health which brings together more than 140 organizations from the health and social care sectors that have committed to making prevention of mental illness their primary goal.
The NHS has made clear that it is determined to address the stigma and inequalities that surround mental health and the gap between mental and physical health care. But, there's a lot to do. We must change the mental health and the way we talk about it. We need to break down the barriers that continue to divide us, and build a culture where mental health is valued as much as physical health.