Mental Health in the UK
Since the NHS was established 70 years ago, medical advances and treatments have been offered for free to those who need it. Mental health has not seen the same advancements.
Many reported feeling positive about their mental health, yet were concerned that others might not be as well. They also discussed the effects of poor economic conditions on their own and other' mental health.
1. Get help
Finding help is the first step towards taking care of your mental health. It's important to seek help even if the situation is difficult. There are many ways to seek help, including treatment, lifestyle changes and medication. Each treatment is unique and therefore it is important to find what works best for you.
The first step in seeking assistance is to recognize that you or someone you know has mental health issues. If you notice a change in the way that someone you know thinks, feels or acts it's crucial to act. This often means talking to the person and asking for assistance. You may also join a support group, which can be beneficial in locating people who know what you're going through.
It is also important to talk with your family and acquaintances about how you're experiencing. They can be a sympathetic ear and may even recommend you to an expert. Talking about your emotions is a great way to ease stress and gain a new perspective on your life.
People suffering from mental health issues can suffer from various symptoms, from depression and anxiety to bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The severity of mental health issues differs from person to. It is difficult to determine whether a symptom is a normal reaction to a stressful event or an indication that a serious illness has developed.
Mental illnesses can have a profound impact on a person's everyday life. Mental illness can have a huge impact on a person's daily life, from their job to their relationships to their overall well-being and happiness. Additionally, they may affect their physical health. People who suffer from mental health issues are more likely than others to have physical symptoms that aren't medically explained.
In recent years, there has been a shift in the perception of mental health. Mental illness is less stigmatized and more people seek treatment. Receiving help is a step towards a happier, healthier, more productive life. The best way to start is with a primary health care provider. They can recommend a professional counselor, psychologist or psychiatrist who is specialized in mental health issues.
2. Keeping it up
A myriad of tragic news stories, high profile campaigns and a growing awareness have given mental health problems the attention they deserve. There is still a long way to go before mental and physical health in the UK are treated equally.
In England, mental health services are not ring-fenced and so are subject to the same pressures as acute or physical healthcare services when it comes to funding. This has led to anecdotal reports that a similar level of disinvestment is happening, but evidence of this is difficult to find. In attempts to discern these trends, they have been hampered by the lack of comprehensive data on the overall state of local services, and by 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 physical and mental health, but are treated differently when it comes to defining the budget and monitoring service availability and quality.
To tackle this issue, an innovative approach to building mental resilience is required. This should be facilitated by local people who are a part of their communities, including community groups and faith groups. These groups must be supported and guided by the appropriate training, resources and support to develop their role in creating mental wellbeing across all age groups.
GPs should also be given the resources they require to conduct regular check-ins which are not overburdened by the demand. They could then connect patients to evidence-based self-management guidance and peer assistance. This will help reduce the burden on the NHS as a whole and increase the capacity within the mental health services.
Additionally, the general public must be encouraged to take on a more active part in their own wellbeing by deciding how they spend their leisure time and implementing healthier lifestyle choices, and seeking support whenever they need it. This could include volunteering, attending community events and 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 when it comes to mental healthcare. However, there is a lot of work to be completed. There are still many people who suffer from mental health issues but do not seek help because of the stigma. In reality, they typically wait until their symptoms get severe before seeking medical attention. This can lead to prolonged suffering, higher costs, and a greater risk of life-threatening diseases like cancer or heart disease.
The good news is that mental health care has made significant progress 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 a lot to be done and stigma remains a major barrier.
The demand for services rises as the number of patients suffering from mental health issues grows. The government has committed to investing an additional PS2.3 billion per year to improve and expand services across the nation. This will enable 2 million more people to access help and improve care and outcomes.
There is also a greater effort being made to address the disparity 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 plans to establish an array of specially-trained mental health ambulances. This will reduce the number of general ambulance calls for people in crisis and improve service and response times for those with mental health problems. The government will also increase its investment in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies by another PS7 million, which will help reduce waiting time and increase the number of people who receive treatment.
If you are struggling you can always find someone to talk to. You can contact the Samaritans at 116 123, or visit a local branch. They provide free, confidential and non-judgmental help to anyone in emotional distress. They are available via email, phone or by letter all hours of the day.
4. Take action
It's important to act whenever you're worried about your mental well-being. The right support can keep you in good health and well.
One in four people in the UK will suffer from mental illness at some point in their lives, but it's important to know that you can recover from many mental health issues. Most of them are minor, short-term and can be treated with medication administered by an GP. Certain, like depression and anxiety, may be a reaction to difficult life events, such as bereavement, or a breakup in a relationship, however stress at work can contribute to them.
We can all do things to improve our mental health, including eating a balanced diet, getting enough rest, being physically active and learning how to manage stress. But every person's needs are unique and sometimes, we require more help. This could include occupational therapists, speech therapy or medications.
There are Click In this article of charities and support services available to help with various problems, including addictions, debts, housing and eating disorders. The government has set out its aspirations for the mental health services in the Five Year Forward View however it's up to us all to ensure that these aspirations are realized.
Investing in the mental health of children and young people's health, as highlighted by the Time for Action report, is essential. CAMHS spending is currently behind adult mental health spending and funding is an issue of lottery.
Prevention is becoming the core of the work of health and social care providers to improve the mental health of their communities. This is reflected in the Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health, which brings together more than 140 organisations from the social and health care sector who have agreed to an unifying commitment to make preventing mental illness a top priority.
The NHS has stated that it is determined to address the stigma and inequalities that surround mental health, and the gap between mental and physical healthcare. But, there's a lot to do. We must alter the way that we think and talk about mental health. We must remove the barriers that divide us, and build a culture where mental health is valued just as physical wellbeing.