Mental Health in the UK
Since the NHS launched 70 years ago, medical advancements and treatments have been made available free of charge to those who need it. But mental health is yet to see the same progress.
Many reported feeling great about their mental health, but were worried that others might not be as well. They also discussed the effects of economic hardship on their mental wellbeing and that of others.
1. Getting help
Seeking help is the first step to taking care of your mental health. This can be difficult, but it's vital for your health. There are many options to seek help, such as therapy, lifestyle changes, and medications. Each treatment is different therefore you need to find the best one for your specific situation.
Recognizing that you or someone you know is suffering from mental illness is the first step to seeking assistance. It's crucial to act if you notice a shift in how you or someone else around you thinks or feels. Often, this means talking to them and asking for help. Joining assessing mental health can assist you in finding others who can relate to your situation.
It is also important to talk with your family and your friends about how you're experiencing. They may be able to lend an ear to listen, and they may be capable of referring you to a professional. Talking about your thoughts is a great method to relieve stress and gain a new perspective on your life.
Mental health issues can cause various symptoms. They range from anxiety and depression to bipolar disorder and even schizophrenia. The severity of mental health issues differs from person to. It is difficult to determine if a sign is an ordinary response to a stressful event or an indication that an illness of serious severity has developed.
Mental illnesses can have a huge impact on a person's everyday life. Mental illness can have a huge impact on a person's daily life, from their work to their relationships, to their happiness and overall wellbeing. They can also have an enormous impact on your physical health. For instance, people who have mental health issues are more likely to experience medically unexplained physical symptoms.
In recent years, there is a shift in the way we view mental health. Mental illness is less stigmatized and more people seek treatment. Helping yourself is the first step towards living a healthier, happier life. It is best to begin by talking to your primary care physician. They may recommend a specialist counselor, psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in mental issues.
2. Keep it up
Mental health issues are finally receiving the attention they merit. Numerous tragic news stories and high-profile campaigns, along with growing awareness, have brought them to the forefront. There is still a long way to go until mental and physical health issues in the UK are treated equally.
In England the UK, mental health services are not ring-fenced and are not subject to the same pressures that affect acute and physical healthcare services in terms of funding. It has led to a few instances of evidence that the same level disinvestment is taking place, but evidence is difficult to come by. The lack of consolidated data regarding the condition of local services as well as the fact that the key performance indicators are the same for the entire system (e.g. The maximum referral time from primary care to specialists is 18 weeks. This is the case for both physical and psychological health. However the budget and monitoring of service availability and quality are distinct.
To tackle this issue, an innovative method of building mental resilience is needed. This should be led by local people who are a part of their communities, including community groups and faith groups. These groups require the proper training and facilitation, along with resources and support in order to contribute in developing mental wellness across all age groups.
GPs must also be given the resources to offer regular check-ins, which are not overloaded by demands and can connect patients to self-management advice or peer assistance. This will help reduce the strain on the NHS in general and will allow for greater capacity in mental health services.
Additionally, the general public must be encouraged to take a more active role in their own well-being by deciding how they spend their leisure time and making healthier lifestyle choices and seeking support whenever they need it. This could be through volunteering, attending community events and fundraising for local mental health charities, or by organising or attending workplace health events such as mindfulness sessions.
3. Take control
When it comes to mental health, the UK is the world's leader. There is plenty of work to do. Many people with mental health issues still do not seek help due to the stigma attached to them. They usually wait until their symptoms are severe before seeking medical attention. This could lead to an extended period of suffering, greater costs and a higher risk of developing life-threatening conditions like heart disease or cancer.
The good news is mental healthcare has improved since the NHS was established 70 years ago. Treatment options and treatments are now more advanced, and mental illness are being talked about more openly than ever before. There is still much to be done and stigma remains a major obstacle.
As the number of people suffering from mental health issues continues to rise and the demand on services is increasing. The government is committed to investing an extra PS2.3 billion per year to improve and expand services across the country. This will support 2 million more people to access assistance and improve healthcare outcomes.
There is also a lot being made to address the gap in the funding for physical and mental health, as well as the obstacles that hinder people from accessing assistance. 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 reduce the need of general ambulance call-outs for people in crisis and increase the speed of response and treatment for those suffering from mental health needs. The government will also increase its investment in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies by another PS7million to reduce waiting times and increase the number of people who receive support.
If you're struggling there is always someone to talk to. You can contact the Samaritans at 116 123 or go to one of their local branches. They offer free, non-judgmental and confidential support to those who is suffering from emotional anxiety. They are available 24/7 and can be reached by mail, telephone or email.
4. Taking action
It's crucial to take action when you're concerned about your mental well-being. The proper support can help you get well and stay healthy.
One out of four people will experience mental illness in the UK at some point during their lifetime. However, it's important to remember that many mental health issues can be overcome. Most of them are minor, short-term and can be treated with medication by an GP. Certain ailments, such as depression and anxiety, may be the result of difficult life circumstances, like grieving over a loss, or a breakup in an intimate relationship. Stress at work can be a to the cause.
We can all take steps to improve our mental health and well-being by eating a balanced diet, sleeping enough and exercising, as well as managing stress. Every person's needs are different and, at times, we require additional help. This could be through talking therapies, occupational therapists or medication.
There's also a broad array of support and charity services that can assist with a range of issues like addiction, debt, housing and eating disorders. The Five Year Forward view outlines the goals of the government's mental health services. It is our responsibility to help make those goals become a reality.
As the Time for Action Report highlights that investing in the mental health of children and young adults is crucial. However, public spending on CAMHS is currently behind spending on adult mental health services and funding is a postcode lottery.
Prevention is now at the center of the efforts of social and health care providers to improve the mental health of their communities. This is reflected in the Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health which brings more than 140 organizations from the social and health care sector who have signed up to an agreement to make the prevention of mental illness a priority.
The NHS has made clear that it is committed to tackling the stigma and inequalities that surround mental health, as well as the gap between mental and physical healthcare. However, there is assessment of mental health to do. We must change the way that we think and speak about mental health. We must break down the barriers that divide us and create a society in which people value mental health as much as physical health.