Mental Health in the UK
Since the NHS was first introduced 70 years ago, physical health has seen advances in medical technology and treatments, free of charge at times of need. However, mental health has not yet seen the same advancements.
Many people reported feeling good about their mental health, yet were worried that other people might not. They also discussed the impact of economic downturns on their and other peoples' mental wellbeing.
1. Need help?
The first step to taking care of your mental health. This can be a difficult task, but it's vital for your well-being. There are many ways to seek help, including therapy and lifestyle adjustments. Each treatment is unique so it's crucial to find what works best for you.
Recognizing that you or someone you know suffers from a mental illness is the first step to getting assistance. It's important to act if you notice a shift in how someone you know acts, thinks or feels. This could mean speaking to the person concerned and asking for their assistance. Joining a support network can help you find others who understand your needs.
It is also important to talk with your family and acquaintances about how you're feeling. They can offer an understanding ear, and they may be able to refer you to an expert. Additionally, discussing your emotions can be a method of stress relief and will help you gain perspective on the events in your life.
Mental health issues can trigger 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 person to person making it difficult to tell if something is a natural reaction to stress or the sign of an illness that is 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 work to their relationships, to their overall well-being and happiness. Additionally, they may have a significant effect on physical health. People who suffer from mental health issues are more likely than other people to suffer from physical symptoms that aren't medically explained.
In recent years there has been a change in the perception of mental health. Mental illness is becoming less stigmatized and more people seek treatment. Self-care is the first step to a happier, healthier life. The best way to start is with an primary care physician. They will usually suggest a psychologist, psychiatrist or a professional counselors who specialize in mental health issues.
2. Keep it up!
A multitude of tragic stories in the news, high-profile campaigns and a growing awareness have given mental health problems the attention they deserve. There is still a long to go before physical and mental health in the UK are treated equally.
In England, mental healthcare services aren't ringfenced and are therefore under the same funding pressures as acute/physical health services. This has led to reports of the same level of disinvestment is occurring, but concrete evidence on this is hard to come by. The attempts to determine these trends have been hindered by the lack of data aggregation regarding the overall state of local services, as well as by the fact that the same system-wide key performance indicators (e.g. a maximum waiting time of 18 weeks to refer a patient from primary care to a specialist) are applicable to both physical and mental health, but are interpreted differently when it is time to define an appropriate budget and monitoring availability and quality.
To solve this issue, a fresh method of building mental health resilience. this should be facilitated at the local level by people who know their communities best including religious groups, community groups local charities, children's groups and community-based peer support groups. These groups will require the right training and facilitation, along with resources and support in order to play their part in creating mental wellness across all age groups.
GPs must also be provided the tools to provide regular check-ins, which are not overburdened with demands and can connect patients to self-management guidance or peer support. This will ease the burden on the NHS in general and allow for more capacity within mental health services.
Additionally, the general public must be encouraged to take a more active part in their own health by taking control of how they spend their free time and implementing healthier lifestyle choices, and seeking support when they need it. This could be through volunteering, participating in community events and fundraising for local mental health charities and by organizing workplace health events, such as mindfulness sessions.
3. Take control
The UK is a leader in the world when it comes to mental health care. There is a lot of work to do. Many people suffering from mental health issues still aren't seeking assistance due to the stigma that surrounds them. In reality, they typically wait until their symptoms become severe before seeking medical attention. This could lead to prolonged suffering, greater expenses, and a higher chance of developing life-threatening illnesses such as cancer or heart disease.
The good news is that mental healthcare has made significant progress since the NHS was launched 70 years ago. Mental illnesses are now being discussed more openly and treatment options are more sophisticated. There is still much to be done and stigma remains a major barrier.
As the number of people with mental health issues continues to rise and the demand on services is growing. The government has pledged to invest an additional PS2.3 billion annually to expand and transform mental health services in the country. This will enable 2 million more people to get assistance and improve health outcomes.
There is also a lot being done to address the disparity in the amount of money allocated to physical and mental health, as well the obstacles that prevent people from getting 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.
Plans are also being developed to introduce a network specialised in mental health ambulances. This will cut down on the number of general ambulance calls for patients in crisis and improve response time and care for those suffering from mental health problems. The government is also expanding its investment in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) by another PS7 million to reduce waiting times and increase the number of people receiving support.
If you are having a hard time you can always find someone to talk to. You can call the Samaritans at 116 123 or visit a branch in your area. They provide confidential, free and non-judgmental assistance to anyone in emotional suffering. They are available via phone, email or mail 24 hours a days.
4. Take action
If you're concerned about your mental health, it's important to act. The right support can keep you healthy and happy.
One out of four people will experience mental illness in the UK at some point in their lifetime. However, 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 by a GP. Certain conditions, such as depression and anxiety, could be a reaction to difficult life events, such as bereavement, or a break-up in a relationship, however stress at work can cause these.
We can all take steps to improve our mental health and well-being by eating a balanced diet, getting enough rest and being active, as well as learning how to manage stress. But every person's needs are unique and sometimes, we need more help. This could include occupational therapists, speech therapy or medications.
There are I Am Psychiatry of organizations and support services to assist with a variety of issues, including addictions, debts, housing and eating disorders. The Five Year Forward overview of the government's aspirations for mental health services. It is our responsibility to make those aspirations become a reality.
As the Time for Action Report highlights investing in the mental health of children and young people is essential. CAMHS spending is currently behind adult mental health expenditure and funding is an issue of lottery.
Health and social care professionals are increasingly putting prevention at the top of their agendas to improve the mental well-being of their communities. This is reflected by the Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health that brings together more than 140 organizations in the health and social care sectors who have committed to making prevention of mental illness their top priority.
The NHS has declared that it is firmly committed to tackling stigma and inequalities within mental health, and also the gap between physical and mental health care. However, there is still much to be done. We must change the way we think about mental health and how we talk about it. We need to break down the barriers which continue to divide us, and create an environment where mental health is valued just as physical wellbeing.