Mental Health in the UK
Since the NHS was established 70 years ago, medical advancements and treatments have been provided for free to those who need it. But mental health is not yet seen the same advancements.
Many reported feeling great about their mental health, yet were concerned that others might not. People also discussed the impact that economic challenges have on their mental health as well as the wellbeing of others.
1. Get help
One of the most important steps to take when you're dealing with mental health issues is seeking assistance. It's important to seek help even if the situation is difficult. There are many options to get help, including therapy, lifestyle changes, and medication. Each treatment is different therefore you need to find the one that works best for your situation.
The first step in seeking help is recognizing that you or someone you know has mental health issues. If you notice changes in the way that someone you know acts, thinks, or feels, it's important to take action. This often means talking to the person concerned and asking for their assistance. You may also think about joining a support group, which can help you find people who know what you're going through.
It's also important to talk with friends and family about your feelings. They may be able to lend an ear to listen and could be capable of referring you to a professional. Additionally, discussing your feelings can be a form of relief from stress, and it can give you perspective on the current situation in your life.
Mental health issues can lead to a variety of symptoms. These can range from anxiety and depression to bipolar disorder, and even schizophrenia. The severity of these issues varies widely from one person to another making it difficult to tell if something is a natural reaction to a stressful situation or the sign of an illness that is more serious.
Mental illnesses can have a profound impact on the daily life. Mental illnesses can have a profound impact on a person's daily life, from their work to their relationships to their happiness and overall wellbeing. They can also have a significant impact on your physical health. For instance, those with mental health issues are more likely to suffer from undiagnosed physical symptoms.
In recent years, there has been a shift in the way we look at mental health. Mental illness is now less stigmatized, and more people seek treatment. Self-care is the first step toward a happier, healthier life. It is best to begin by consulting your primary doctor. They are usually able to recommend a psychiatrist, psychologist or a professional counselor who specializes in mental health issues.
2. Keeping it up
Mental health issues are now receiving the attention they deserve. A myriad of tragic stories in the media and well-known campaigns, along with increasing awareness have brought them to the forefront. We have a long way to go until physical and mental health issues in the UK are treated equally.
In England the UK, mental health services aren't ringfenced and are therefore subject to the same funding pressures as acute/physical health care services. This has led to reports that a similar level of disinvestment is occurring, but concrete evidence of this is difficult to come by. The absence of consolidated information about the state of local services and the fact that key performance indicators are the same for the entire system (e.g. the maximum waiting time of 18 weeks to refer a patient from primary care to a specialist) apply to both physical and mental health, but are interpreted differently when it is time to define the budget and monitoring service availability and quality.
To tackle this issue, an innovative method of building mental resilience is needed. This must be led by local people who are familiar with their communities, such as community groups and faith groups. These groups will need to be supported and facilitated with the appropriate training, resources and support to develop their role in creating mental health for all age groups.
GPs must also be provided the resources to provide regular check-ins, which are not overburdened with demand and are able to connect patients to self-management guidance or peer support. This will ease the pressure on the NHS in general and increase the capacity within the mental health services.
The public should be encouraged to take an active role in their own health by taking charge of their leisure time, pursuing healthier choices and seeking help when they need it. This could be done by volunteering, attending community events, or fundraising for local mental health charities, or by organising or attending workplace health events, such as mindfulness sessions.
3. Take control
The UK is a leading country in the world in terms of mental health. There is plenty of work to be done. There are still many people who suffer from mental health problems but don't seek help due to the stigma attached. In reality, they typically wait until their symptoms become severe before seeking medical attention. This can lead to a longer period of suffering, higher costs and increased risk of life-threatening conditions like heart disease or cancer.
The positive side is that mental health care has come a long way since the NHS was created 70 years ago. Treatment options and treatments are now more advanced, and mental disorders are being talked about more freely than ever before. There is much to be done and stigma remains a major barrier.
The pressure on services increases as the number of patients suffering from mental health issues grows. The government has promised to invest PS2.3 billion annually to expand and transform mental health services across the country. This will enable 2 million people to get assistance and improve outcomes.
A lot is being done to tackle the inequality in funding between mental and physical health, as well as tackle the barriers that hinder people from accessing 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 plans to introduce an array of specially-trained mental health ambulances. This will cut down on the number of general ambulance calls for those in crisis, and will improve response time and care for those who have mental health problems. The government is also expanding its investment in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) by an additional PS7 million to reduce waiting times and increase the number of people receiving help.
If you're struggling there is always someone to talk to. You can call the Samaritans at 116 123, or visit a local branch. They provide confidential, free and non-judgmental assistance to anyone who is in emotional suffering. They are available 24/7 and can be reached via telephone, email or letter.
4. Take action
If you're concerned about your mental health, it's important to act. The right support can help you to stay healthy and well.
One in four people will experience mental illness in the UK at some point in their lifetime. But, it is important to remember that many mental health problems can be resolved. The majority of them are short-term, mild and can be treated with medication administered by your doctor. Certain, like depression and anxiety, could be a result of difficult life events like bereavement or a break-up in a relationship, but stress at work can also cause them.
We can all take steps to improve our mental health and wellbeing by eating healthy, having a balanced diet, getting enough sleep and being active, as well as taking control of stress. But everyone's needs are different and sometimes, we need more help. This could include things like occupational therapy, speech therapy or medication.
There are numerous charities and support services available to assist people with various issues, including addictions, debts, housing and eating disorders. The Five Year Forward view outlines the goals of the government for mental health services. It is our responsibility to help make those goals become a reality.
Insuring full mental health assessment and young people's mental health, as highlighted by the Time for Action report, is vital. But, spending by the public on CAMHS is currently falling behind spending on adult mental health services and funding is a postcode lottery.
Prevention is becoming the core of the work of social and health care providers to improve the mental health of their communities. This is reflected by the Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health that brings together more than 140 organisations in the social and health care sectors that have pledged to making prevention of mental illness their primary goal.
The NHS has stated that it is committed to tackling the stigma and inequalities that surround mental health, as well as the gap between mental and physical health care. But, there's plenty to be done. We must alter the way that we think and speak about mental health. We must break down the barriers that divide us and to create a society in which people are concerned about mental wellbeing as much as physical health.