Mental Health in the UK
Since the NHS was launched 70 years ago, physical health has seen medical advancements and treatments, free at the point of need. However, mental health has yet to see the same progress.
The majority of respondents reported feeling positive about their mental health, but many were concerned that others weren't. They also discussed the effects of economic downturns on their and other peoples well-being.
1. Get assistance
One of the most important actions to take when you're experiencing mental health issues is to seek out help. It can be a challenge however it's essential to your well-being. There are many ways to seek help, such as therapies, lifestyle changes, and medication. Each treatment is different therefore you need to find the one that works best for your specific situation.
The first step in seeking help is to recognize that you or someone you know suffers from an issue with mental health. It is crucial to act when you notice a change in the way you or someone else around you thinks or is feeling. This could mean speaking to the person and asking for their assistance. You might also consider joining a support group, which can help you find people who know what you're going through.
It is also advisable to talk to your family and friends about how you are feeling. They can be a sympathetic ear and may even recommend you to a professional. Talking about your feelings is a great way to ease stress and gain a new perspective on your life.
People suffering from mental health issues can experience a wide variety of symptoms, ranging from depression to anxiety to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The severity of mental health issues is different from person to. It is difficult to determine if a sign is a normal reaction to a stressful event or a sign that an illness of serious severity has been diagnosed.
Mental illnesses can have an enormous impact on a person's daily life. They can affect everything from their work and relationships to their overall wellbeing and happiness. They can also have an enormous impact on your physical health. People with mental health issues are more likely than others to have physical symptoms that are not medically explained.
In recent years, there has been a shift in our perception of mental health. Mental illness is now less stigmatized, and more people seek treatment. Helping yourself is the first step toward a happier, healthier life. It is recommended to begin by speaking with your primary doctor. They are usually able to recommend a psychiatrist, psychologist or a professional counselor who specializes in mental health issues.
2. Keep it up
Mental health issues are now getting the attention they deserve. A myriad of tragic news stories and well-known campaigns, as well as increasing awareness have brought them to light. However, we still have a long way to be before physical and mental health are considered equal priorities in the UK.
In England the UK, mental health services aren't ringfenced and are therefore subject to the same funding pressures as acute or physical health care services. This has led to some reports that the same level of disinvestment is happening, but evidence of this is difficult to locate. The lack of consolidated data on the state of local services as well as the fact that the most important performance indicators are the same across the entire system (e.g. a maximum waiting time of 18 weeks to refer a patient from primary care to a specialist) are applicable to both mental and physical health, yet are treated differently when it is time to define an appropriate budget and monitoring availability and quality.
To address this issue, a new method of building mental resilience is needed. This should be facilitated by local people who are a part of their communities, such as community groups and faith groups. These groups will require the appropriate training and facilitation, along with support and resources to play their part in creating mental wellness across all age groups.
Doctors should also be equipped with the resources they need to provide regular check-ins which are not overburdened by the demands. how to get mental health assessment can also 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 should be encouraged to take a more active part in their own wellbeing by taking control of their leisure time, adopting healthier lifestyles and seeking assistance when they need it. This could include volunteering, attending community events, or fundraising for local mental health charities, or by organising or attending workplace health events, such as mindfulness sessions.
3. Take control
In terms of mental health In terms of mental health, the UK is a world leader. There is a lot of work to do. There are many who suffer from mental health problems but are hesitant to seek help because of the stigma. In fact, they often wait until their symptoms get severe before seeking medical treatment. This can result in an extended period of suffering, more expensive treatment and greater risk of life-threatening diseases like cancer or heart disease.
The good news is that mental health has gotten better since the NHS launched 70 years ago. Mental illness is now being discussed more openly and treatment options are more sophisticated. However, there is much to be done, and stigma is still a major obstacle.
The demand for services rises as the number of people suffering from mental health issues increases. The government is committed to investing an additional PS2.3 billion a year to expand and transform services across the nation. This will allow 2 million people to get help and improve outcomes.
More is also being done to tackle the inequality in funding between physical and mental health, and also remove the barriers that block people from accessing assistance. 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 introduce a network specialised in mental health ambulances. This will cut down on the number of general ambulance calls for patients in crisis and increase the service and response times for those with mental health problems. The government is also increasing its investment in Improving Access to Psychological Therapies (IAPT) by an additional PS7 million to decrease waiting times and increase the number of people who receive assistance.
If you are struggling you can always find someone to talk to. The Samaritans can be reached by calling 116 123, or visit one of their local branches. They provide confidential, free and non-judgemental support for anyone suffering from emotional trouble. They are available 24/7 and can be reached via mail, telephone or email.
4. Take action
If you're concerned about your mental health, it's essential to take action. The proper support can help you to stay healthy and well.
One out of four people in UK will experience mental illness at some time in their lives, however, it's important to keep in mind that you can recover from the majority of mental health problems. Most are mild, short-term and can be treated with medication administered by a GP. Certain ailments, such as depression and anxiety can be a result of life-changing circumstances, like grieving over a loss or break-up in the course of a relationship. Stress at work could be a contributing to the cause.
We can all take steps to look after our mental health and wellbeing by eating an appropriate diet, sleeping enough and exercising, as well as learning how to manage stress. But every person's needs are unique and sometimes, we need more help. This could be through occupational therapists, speech therapy or medications.
There are a myriad of organizations and support services to help with various problems, including housing, debts, addictions and eating disorders. The government has laid out its aspirations for the mental health service in the Five Year Forward View however it is up to us all to ensure that these aspirations become 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 lottery for postcodes.
Health and social care professionals are increasingly putting prevention at the heart of their work to improve the mental well-being of their communities. This is reflected by the Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health which brings together over 140 organizations in the health and social care sectors that have pledged to making the prevention of mental illness their top priority.
The NHS has stated that it is committed to tackling the stigma and inequalities that exist within mental health, and also the gap between physical and mental health care. However, there is still much to be done. We must alter the way we think and discuss mental health. We need to break down the barriers that continue to divide us and to build a society in which people value mental health as much as physical health.