Mental Health in the UK
Since the NHS was established 70 years ago, medical advancements and treatments have been made available for free to people in need. Mental health has not seen the same improvements.
Many reported feeling satisfied with their own mental health, but many were worried that others weren't. They also discussed the effects of economic hardship on their own mental wellbeing and the wellbeing of others.
1. Getting help
Seeking help is the first step towards taking care of your mental health. It's important to seek help regardless of whether it's difficult. There are many ways to get assistance such as therapy and lifestyle adjustments. Each treatment is different, so it's important to find the best option for you.
Recognizing that you or someone else you know is suffering from a mental illness is the first step towards seeking help. If you notice a change in the way someone you know thinks, feels or acts it's essential to take action. In most cases, this means speaking to them and asking for help. Joining a support network can help you find others who can relate to your situation.
how can i get a mental health assessment is also advisable to talk to your family and acquaintances about how you're experiencing. They could be a sympathetic ear and may even recommend you to an expert. Talking about your emotions is a great way to ease anxiety and gain a fresh perspective on your life.
People with mental health issues may experience a wide variety of symptoms, ranging from depression to anxiety to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The severity of these disorders can vary from individual to individual making it difficult to tell if something is a natural reaction to stress or an indication of an illness that is more serious.
Mental illnesses can have a huge impact on the daily life. They can impact everything from relationships and work to their overall wellbeing and happiness. Additionally, they may have a significant effect on physical health. For example, people with mental health issues are more likely to suffer from physical symptoms that are medically unrelated.
In recent times there has been an alteration in how we think about mental health. The stigma surrounding mental illness is decreasing and more people are seeking treatment. Self-care is the first step toward a happier, healthier life. It is best to begin by speaking with your primary care physician. They are usually able to suggest a psychologist, psychiatrist or a specialist counselors who specialize in mental health issues.
2. Keep it up
A myriad of tragic news stories, prominent campaigns and growing awareness have given mental health issues the importance they merit. There is still a long to go before physical and mental health issues in the UK are treated equally.
In England Mental health services in England are not ring-fenced, and therefore are subject to the same pressures as acute or physical healthcare services in terms of funding. This has led to anecdotal evidence suggesting that the same level disinvestment is occurring, but hard evidence is hard to come by. The lack of data consolidated about the state of local services and the fact that the most important performance indicators are the same across the entire system (e.g. the maximum waiting time of 18 weeks to refer a patient from primary care to a specialist) apply to both mental and physical health, but are interpreted differently when it is determining an appropriate budget and monitoring availability and quality.
To tackle this issue an innovative approach to building mental strength is needed. This should be led by local people who are comfortable with their communities, including community groups and faith groups. These groups will need to be supported and guided by the right training, resources and support to develop their role in creating mental wellbeing across all age groups.
GPs must also be provided the tools to provide regular check-ins that aren't overloaded by demands and can connect patients to self-management guidance or peer support. This will help to reduce the pressure on the NHS in general and allow for more capacity within mental health services.
In addition, the public should be encouraged to take a more active part in their own wellbeing by taking control of the way they spend their time and implementing healthier lifestyle choices and seeking help whenever they need it. This could be through volunteering, taking part in community events and fundraising for local mental health charities and by organizing workplace health events, such as mindfulness sessions.
3. Controlling
The UK is a leader in the world in terms of mental health care. But there is much work to be accomplished. Many people with mental health issues still aren't seeking assistance due to the stigma that surrounds them. They usually wait until their symptoms become serious before seeking medical help. This can lead to an extended period of suffering, more expensive treatment and greater risk of life-threatening conditions like heart disease or cancer.
The good news is that mental health care has come a long way since the NHS was established 70 years ago. Mental illness is now being discussed more openly, and treatment options are now more advanced. There is much 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 promised to invest PS2.3 billion annually to expand and improve mental health services in the country. This will allow 2 million people to receive help and improve outcomes.
There is also a greater effort being made to address the disparity in funding between physical and mental 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.
Plans are also being made to create a special network in mental health ambulances. This will reduce the number of general ambulance calls for those in crisis, and will improve speed of response and treatment for those suffering from mental health issues. 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 who receive help.
If you're struggling, there is always someone to talk to. You can contact the Samaritans on 116 123 or visit one of their local branches. They provide confidential, free and non-judgemental support for anyone in emotional suffering. They are accessible via phone, email, or letter all hours of the day.
4. Insisting on action
If you're concerned about your mental health, it's essential to take action. The right help can keep you healthy and happy.
One in four people will experience mental illness in the UK at some point in their lifetime. But, it is important to keep in mind that the majority of mental health problems are solvable. Most of them are minor, short-term and can be treated with medication administered by your doctor. Certain, like anxiety and depression, can be a result of stressful life events such as bereavement or a breakdown in a relationship, however stress at work can also cause these.
We can all take steps to improve our mental health, such as eating a healthy diet, getting enough sleep and physical activity and learning to manage stress. Every person's needs are different and, at times, we require assistance. This could include things like talking therapies, occupational therapy or medications.
There are a myriad of charities and support services available to assist with a variety of issues, including addictions, debts, housing and eating disorders. The Five Year Forward view outlines the government's aspirations for mental health services. It is our responsibility to make those dreams into reality.
As the Time for Action Report highlights investing in the mental health of children and young adults is vital. But, spending by the public on CAMHS is currently lagging behind spending on adult mental health services and funding is a postcode 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 reflected by the Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health which brings together more than 140 organizations from the social and health care sectors that have committed to making prevention of mental illness their priority.
The NHS has made clear that it is committed to addressing the stigma and inequalities that surround mental health and the gap between physical and mental healthcare. There is still a lot to be done. We must change the mental health and how we talk about it. We must eliminate the barriers that divide us and to create a society in which people are concerned about mental wellbeing as much as physical wellbeing.