Mental Health in the UK
Since the NHS was established 70 years ago, health care has seen advances in medical technology and treatments, at no cost when in need. But mental health is not yet seen the same kind of progress.
People reported feeling good about their own mental health, however many were worried about the health of others. People also discussed the effect of economic hardship on their own mental wellbeing and the wellbeing of others.
1. Get help
The first step in taking care of your mental health. It can be a challenge however it's essential to your wellbeing. There are a variety of ways to seek help such as therapy and lifestyle adjustments. Each treatment is unique, so it's important to determine what works best for you.
The first step in getting assistance is to recognize that you or someone you know suffers from an issue with mental health. It's important to act if you notice a change in how someone you know acts, thinks or is feeling. This often means talking to the person and asking assistance. You may also think about joining a support group, which can help you find people who know what you're going through.
It's also important to discuss with family and friends about your feelings. They can offer an understanding ear, and they may be capable of referring you to an expert. Additionally, discussing your feelings can be a form of stress relief, and it can help you see the bigger picture of what's happening in your life.
Mental health issues can cause a variety of symptoms. These range from depression and anxiety, to bipolar disorder, and even schizophrenia. The severity of mental health problems is different from person to. It isn't easy to determine if a sign is a normal response to a stressful event or a sign that there is a serious illness that has been diagnosed.
Mental illness can have a huge impact on a person's daily life. They can impact everything from their relationships and work to their overall health and happiness. In addition, they can influence their physical health. For example, people with mental health problems are more likely to suffer from medically unexplained physical symptoms.
In recent years there has been an alteration in the way we view mental health. Mental illness is now less stigmatized, and more people seek treatment. Finding help is a step towards a healthier, happier and more productive life. It is best to begin by consulting your primary physician. They can usually recommend a psychiatrist, psychologist or a specialist counselors who specialize in mental health issues.
2. Keep it up!
Mental health issues are finally receiving the attention they deserve. Numerous tragic news stories and well-known campaigns, along with increasing awareness, have brought them to the forefront. We still have a way to go until physical and mental health 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/physical healthcare services when it comes to funding. This has led to some reports that the same level of disinvestment is taking place, but hard evidence on this is difficult to come by. The absence of consolidated information about the state of local services and the fact that key performance indicators are the same across the entire system (e.g. The maximum time for referral from primary care to specialists is 18 weeks. This applies to both psychological and physical health. However, the budget and monitoring of availability of services and quality differ.
To address this, a new method of building mental health resilience. And it must be led at the local level by people who know their communities best like faith-based groups, community groups local charities, children's groups and community-based peer support groups. These groups will require the right training and facilitation, as well as resources and support in order to contribute to developing mental wellness across all age groups.
GPs should also be provided with the resources they require to offer regular check-ins, which are not overburdened by the demands. They could then connect patients to self-management advice based on evidence and peer assistance. This will help to reduce the pressure on the NHS in general and will allow for greater capacity within mental health services.
Additionally, the general public must be encouraged to play a more active part in their own wellbeing by taking control of how they spend their free time and implementing healthier lifestyle choices and seeking support when they require it. This can be done through volunteering, participating in local events, and raising money for mental health charities, as and also by organizing or attending workplace health and wellness events such as mindfulness sessions.
3. Taking control
The UK is a leading country in the world when it comes to mental health care. There is a lot of work to be done. Many people who suffer from mental health issues don't seek help because of the stigma associated with them. In reality, they typically wait until their symptoms become severe before seeking medical treatment. This can result in an extended period of suffering, higher costs and a higher risk of developing life-threatening illnesses like heart disease or cancer.
The good news is mental healthcare has improved since the NHS launched 70 years ago. Mental illness is now being discussed more openly and the treatment options are more sophisticated. However, there's still mental health assessments to be done, and stigma remains a significant barrier.
The pressure on services increases as the number of patients suffering from mental health issues grows. The government is committing to investing an extra PS2.3 billion per year to expand and improve services across the nation. This will allow 2 million people to get assistance and improve outcomes.
There is also a lot being done to address the disparity in the funding for physical and mental health, as well as the barriers that prevent people 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 create an array of specially-trained mental health ambulances. This will reduce the use of general ambulance calls for people in crisis and improve response times and provide care to those with mental health needs. The government will also increase its investment in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies by another PS7 million, which will help reduce waiting times and increase the number of people who receive support.
If you're having a hard time you can always find someone to talk to. You can call the Samaritans at 116 123 or go to one of their local branches. They provide free, confidential and non-judgmental assistance to anyone in emotional suffering. They are available via phone, email or mail all hours of the day.
4. Take action
It's crucial to take action if you're worried about your mental well-being. The right support can help keep you in good health and well.
One in four people in the UK will experience mental illness at some time in their lives, but it's important to remember that you can recover from most mental health problems. Most of them are minor, short-term and can be treated with medication by an GP. Some conditions, like depression and anxiety are a result of life-changing events, such as grieving over a loss or break-up in a relationship. Stress at work can also be a contributing factor.
We can all take steps to improve our mental health. This includes eating a healthy diet, taking enough rest and physical activity and learning how to manage stress. However, everyone's needs are different and at times, we may need more assistance. This could be through talking therapies, occupational therapists or medication.
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 service in the Five Year Forward View, but it's our responsibility to ensure that these aspirations become reality.
Insuring youngsters and young people's mental health, as stated in the Time for Action report, is essential. However, public spending on CAMHS is currently behind spending on adult mental health services. funding is a postcode lottery.
Prevention is becoming the heart of the work of social and health care providers to improve the mental health of their communities. This is evident in the Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health which brings more than 140 organizations from the health and social care sector that have signed up to a shared commitment to make the prevention of mental illness a priority.
The NHS has stated that it is committed to tackling stigma and inequalities within mental health and the gap between mental and physical health care. But, there's a lot to do. We must alter 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 are concerned about mental wellbeing as much as physical wellbeing.
