3 Common Reasons Why Your Mental Health UK Isn't Working (And How To Fix It)
Mental Health in the UK Since the NHS was launched 70 years ago, physical health has seen advances in medical technology and treatments, free at the point of need. Mental health has not had the same benefits. The majority of respondents reported feeling positive about their own mental health, but many were worried that others weren't. They also discussed the effects of economic hardship on their mental wellbeing and the wellbeing of others. 1. Helping yourself Seeking help is the first step towards taking care of your mental health. This can be a difficult task but it's essential for your health. There are many ways to seek help, including therapies, lifestyle changes, and medications. Each treatment is different so it's crucial to determine what works best for you. Recognizing that you or someone you know is suffering from mental illness is the first step towards getting assistance. If you notice a change in the way someone you know thinks, feels or acts, it's important to act. Often, this means talking to them and asking for assistance. Joining a support group can help you find others who understand your needs. It's also important to talk with your family and friends about how you feel. They can lend an ear to listen and even recommend you to professionals. In addition, talking about your feelings can be a form of stress relief, and it will help you gain perspective on what's happening in your life. People suffering from mental health issues can experience many different symptoms, from depression and anxiety to bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The severity of these problems differs from one person to another and it can be difficult to know when something is a natural reaction to a stressful situation or the sign of an illness that is more serious. Mental illness can have an enormous impact on a person's daily life. Mental illness can have a profound impact on a person's everyday life, from their job to their relationships, to their happiness and overall wellbeing. They can also have a major impact on your physical health. People with mental health issues are more likely than other people to have physical symptoms that aren't medically accounted for. In recent years, there has been a change in the perception of mental health. Mental illness is less stigmatized and more people seek treatment. Self-care is the first step to living a healthier, happier life. The best place to begin is to talk to a primary care physician. They can usually suggest a psychologist, psychiatrist, or professional counselors who specialize in mental health issues. 2. Keep it up! A plethora of tragic news stories, prominent campaigns and increasing awareness have given mental health issues the importance they merit. However, we have a long way get to where physical and mental health are considered equal priorities in the UK. In England Mental healthcare services are not ringfenced and are therefore under the same funding pressures as acute/physical health care services. It has led to anecdotal evidence suggesting that the same level disinvestment is happening, however hard proof is difficult to find. Attempts to identify such trends have been hampered by the lack of consolidated data on 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) are applicable to both mental and physical health, yet are treated differently when it comes to defining a budget and monitoring service availability and quality. To tackle this issue, a new approach to building mental strength is required. This should be facilitated by local people who are a part of their communities, for instance faith-based groups and community groups. These groups will need to be supported and assisted with the right training, resources and assistance to enhance their role in promoting mental wellbeing across all age groups. Doctors should also be equipped with the resources they require to provide regular check-ins that aren't burdened by the demands. They could then connect people to evidence-based self-management advice and peer assistance. This will ease the pressure put on the NHS and allow mental health services to be more efficient. The general public must be encouraged to take more actively in their own well-being by taking control of their leisure time, adopting healthier lifestyles and seeking help whenever needed. This could include volunteering, attending community events and fundraising for local mental health charities and by organizing workplace health activities like mindfulness sessions. 3. Controlling the situation The UK is a leader in the world in terms of mental health. However, there is a lot of work to be accomplished. There are still many people who suffer from mental health issues but are hesitant to seek help because of the stigma. They often wait until symptoms become severe before seeking medical attention. This can lead to an extended period of suffering, greater costs and greater risk of life-threatening diseases like cancer or heart disease. The positive side is that mental healthcare has advanced since the NHS was launched 70 years ago. Treatment options and treatments are more advanced, and mental illness are being talked about more often than ever before. But there is still more to be done, and the stigma of mental illness remains a significant obstacle. As the number of people with mental health problems continues to increase the demand for services is growing. The government has pledged to invest PS2.3 billion per year to improve and transform mental health services across the country. This will enable 2 million people to receive help and improve outcomes. More is also being done to tackle the inequality in funding between mental and physical health, and also address the barriers that prevent 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 also plans to introduce 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 who have mental health problems. The government will also increase its investment in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies by another PS7 million to cut down on waiting times and increase the number who receive treatment. There is always someone to assist you when you are struggling. You can contact the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit one of their local branches. They provide free, non-judgemental and confidential assistance to anyone who is suffering from emotional anxiety. They are available 24/7 and can be reached via email, phone or letter. 4. Insisting on action If you're worried about your mental health, it's important to act. The right support can keep you in good health and well. One out of four people will experience mental illness in the UK at some point in their lives. But, it is important to remember that most mental health problems can be resolved. The majority of mental health issues are not severe and temporary, and can be treated by a physician with medication. Some conditions, like depression and anxiety are a result of difficult life events, such as grieving over a loss or break-up in an intimate relationship. Stress at work can be a contributing to the cause. We can all do things to improve our mental health. book a mental health assessment includes eating a healthy diet, taking enough rest and exercising regularly and learning to manage stress. But every person's needs are unique and sometimes, we require more assistance. This could include things like occupational therapy, speech therapy or medications. There are a myriad of organizations and support services to assist with a variety of issues, such as addictions, debts, housing and eating disorders. The government has laid out its aspirations for the mental health system in the Five Year Forward View however it's our responsibility to ensure that those goals are realized. As the Time for Action Report highlights, investing in the mental health of children and young adults is crucial. CAMHS spending is currently behind spending on adult mental health and funding is an issue of lottery. Prevention is now at the core of the work of health and social care providers to improve the mental well-being of their communities. This is evident in the Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health which brings together over 140 organizations in the health and social care sectors who have committed to making the prevention of mental illness their priority. The NHS has made it clear that it is committed to tackling the stigma and inequalities that surround mental health, as well as the gap between physical and mental health care. However, there is still a lot to do. We need to change the way we think and talk about mental health. We must break down the barriers that divide us and to create a society in which people value mental health as much as physical wellbeing.