Mental Health in the UK
Since the NHS was established 70 years ago, physical health has seen improvements in medical science and treatments, free at the point of need. Mental health has not seen the same advancements.
Many reported feeling satisfied with their own mental health, but many were worried that others weren't. People also discussed the effect that economic challenges have on their own mental wellbeing as well as the wellbeing of others.
1. Need help?
Finding help is the first step towards taking care of your mental health. This can be a difficult task but it's essential for your well-being. There are many options to seek help, such as treatment, lifestyle changes and medications. Each treatment is different and you must choose the one that is most effective for your particular situation.
Recognizing that you or someone else you know is suffering from mental illness is the first step to seeking assistance. If you notice changes in the way that someone you know acts, thinks, or feels it's crucial to act. Often, this means talking to them and asking for assistance. Joining a support group can help you find others who understand your situation.
It is also essential to speak with friends and family about your feelings. They may be able to lend an understanding ear and may be in a position to refer you to an expert. In addition, talking about your feelings can be a way of stress relief, and it can help you see the bigger picture of what's happening in your life.
People who suffer from mental health issues may experience many different symptoms, ranging from depression to anxiety to bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The severity of mental health issues varies from person to person. It is difficult to determine if a sign is an ordinary response to a stressful event or the sign that an illness of serious severity is developing.
Mental illnesses can have an enormous impact on the daily life. Mental illness can have a huge impact on a person's everyday life, from their job to their relationships, to their happiness and overall wellbeing. Additionally, they may influence their physical health. For instance, people who have mental health problems are more likely to experience medically unexplained physical symptoms.
In recent years there has been a shift in the way we view mental health. Mental illness is now less stigmatized and more people seek treatment. Finding assistance is a great step towards a healthier, happier and more productive lifestyle. The best place to begin is to talk to your primary care physician. They can recommend a professional counselor, psychologist or psychiatrist who specializes in mental health issues.
2. Keep it up!
A plethora of tragic news stories, high profile campaigns and a growing awareness have given mental health issues the importance they merit. There is still a long way to go before physical and mental 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 as acute or physical healthcare services when it comes to funding. This has led to anecdotal evidence suggesting that the same level of disinvestment is happening, however hard proof is difficult to find. In attempts to discern these trends, they have been hindered by a lack of comprehensive data regarding the overall state of local services, and due to the fact that the same system wide key performance indicators (e.g. the maximum wait time of 18 weeks for referral from primary care to a specialist) apply to both physical and mental health, yet are treated differently when it is time to define a budget and monitoring service availability and quality.
To address this, a new approach is needed to building mental health resilience, and this must be led at the local level by people who are the best in their communities - such as faith-based groups, community groups, local charities, children's groups and community-based peer support groups. These groups will have to be supported and guided by the right training, resources and support to grow their role in promoting mental wellbeing across all age groups.
The GPs must also be given the resources they need to conduct regular check-ins that aren't burdened by the demand. They can also connect people to evidence-based self-management advice and peer assistance. This will reduce the pressure put on the NHS and allow mental health services to be more efficient.
The public should also be encouraged to play more actively in their own health by taking charge of their leisure time, pursuing healthier lifestyles and seeking assistance whenever needed. This could be through volunteering, participating in community events and fundraising for local mental health charities and by organizing workplace health activities like mindfulness sessions.
3. Take control
The UK is a leader in the world in terms of mental healthcare. There is still much work to be done. There are many who have mental health issues but don't seek help because of the stigma. They usually wait until their symptoms become serious before seeking medical help. This can lead to prolonged suffering, higher costs and a higher risk of developing life-threatening diseases like heart disease or cancer.
The good news is mental healthcare has improved since the NHS launched 70 years ago. Mental illnesses are now discussed more openly and the treatment options are now more advanced. There is still much to be done and assessing mental health is a major obstacle.
As the number of people suffering from mental health problems continues to increase, pressure on services is increasing. The government has promised to invest an additional PS2.3 billion annually to expand and improve mental health services in the country. This will allow 2 million people to get help and improve outcomes.
A lot is being done to address the disparity in funding between mental and physical health, and also address the barriers that prevent people from seeking 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 establish a network of specialised mental health ambulances. This will reduce the number of general ambulance calls for those in crisis, and will improve service and response times for those suffering from mental health problems. The government is also increasing its investment in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) by another PS7 million to reduce waiting times and increase the number of people receiving assistance.
If you're having a hard time you can always find someone to talk to. You can call the Samaritans by calling 116 123, or visit one of their local branches. mental illness assessment provide confidential, free and non-judgmental help to anyone suffering from emotional suffering. They are available via email, phone or by letter all hours of the day.
4. Moving forward
It's important to act when you're concerned about your mental well-being. The right support can help keep you healthy and happy.
One out of four people will experience mental illness in the UK at some point during their life. However, it's important to remember that most mental health issues can be resolved. Most mental health issues are short-term and mild and can be managed by a doctor with medication. Certain, like anxiety and depression, can be a result of difficult life events, such as bereavement, or a breakup in a relationship, but stress at work may cause these.
We can all take steps to improve our mental health, including eating a balanced diet, getting enough rest, being physically active and learning to manage stress. However, everyone's needs are different and sometimes, we require more assistance. This could be through occupational therapists, speech therapy or medications.
There are a myriad of charities and support services available to assist people with various issues, such as housing, debts, addictions and eating disorders. The government has laid out its goals for the mental health system in the Five Year Forward View however it's up to us all to ensure that these aspirations are realized.
As the Time for Action Report highlights investing in the mental health of children and young adults is vital. CAMHS spending is currently behind adult mental health expenditure and funding is an issue of lottery.
Health and social care professionals are increasing putting prevention at center of their efforts 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 organisations from the health and social care sector that have pledged a shared commitment to make prevention of mental illness a top priority.
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 healthcare. There is still a lot to be done. We need to change the way we think and talk about mental health. We must eliminate the barriers that continue to divide us and to create a society in which people value mental health just as they value physical wellbeing.