Mental Health in the UK
Since the NHS was established 70 years ago, health care has seen medical advancements and treatments, free at the point of need. Mental health has not seen the same improvements.
Many reported feeling satisfied with their mental health, but a lot were worried about the health of others. They also discussed the effects of economic hardship on their own and other' mental health.
1. Get assistance
The first step in taking care of your mental health. It is crucial to seek help, even if it is difficult. There are many options to seek help, including therapy, lifestyle changes, and medication. Each treatment is different and you must choose the one that works best for your situation.
The first step in getting help is recognizing that you or someone you know has mental health issues. If you notice an alteration in the way someone you know acts, thinks, or feels, it's important to take action. In most cases, this means speaking to them and asking for help. You may also join a support group. This can be helpful in finding others who know what you're going through.
It is also essential to speak with friends and family about how you feel. They can lend an understanding ear and could even refer you to a professional. Talking about your thoughts is a great method to relieve anxiety and gain a fresh perspective on your life.
Mental health issues can lead to many symptoms. These can range from depression and anxiety, to bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. The severity of mental health issues is different from person to. It is difficult to determine if a symptom is an ordinary reaction to a stressful event or a sign that a serious illness has been diagnosed.
Mental illness can have a profound impact on the daily life. They can impact everything from their work and relationships to their overall health and happiness. They can also have a major impact on your physical health. People who suffer from mental health issues are more likely than other people to have physical symptoms that aren't medically accounted for.
In recent times, there has been a change in our perception of mental health. Mental illness is less stigmatized and more people seek treatment. Self-care is the first step to living a healthier, happier life. It is recommended to start by talking to your primary care doctor. They are usually able to recommend a psychiatrist, psychologist or a professional counselor who specializes in mental health issues.
2. Keep private mental health diagnosis up
A multitude of tragic news stories, high profile campaigns and increasing awareness have given mental health problems the importance they merit. However, we have a long way to go before mental and physical health are treated as equal in the UK.
In England Mental health services in England are not ring-fenced and so are subject to the same pressures as acute or physical healthcare services in terms of funding. This has led to reports that a similar disinvestment levels are happening, but evidence of this is difficult to come by. The lack of consolidated data regarding the condition of local services as well as the fact that the key performance indicators are the same across the entire system (e.g. the maximum wait time of 18 weeks for referral from primary care to a specialist) apply to both physical and mental health, yet are treated differently when it is time to define an appropriate budget and monitoring availability and quality.
To address this, a new method is required to build mental health resilience, and it must be led at the local level by people who know their communities best including community groups, faith groups, local charities, children's organizations and community-based peer support groups. These groups will need to be supported and assisted with the right training, resources and support to develop their role in promoting mental health for all age groups.
GPs must also be provided the resources to provide regular check-ins that are not overwhelmed by demand and can connect patients to evidence-based self-management guidance or peer support. This will help to reduce the pressure on the NHS in general and will allow for greater capacity within mental health services.
The public should be encouraged to take more actively in their own well-being by taking control of their leisure time, choosing healthier lifestyles and seeking help when they need it. This could be done by volunteering, attending community events and fundraising for local mental health charities and by organising or attending workplace health activities like mindfulness sessions.
3. Take control
The UK is a leader in the world when it comes to mental health care. There is plenty of work to do. There are many who suffer from mental health issues but don't seek help due to the stigma attached. They often wait until symptoms become severe before seeking medical help. This can result in an extended period of suffering, greater costs, and a greater risk of developing life-threatening diseases such as cancer or heart disease.
The positive side 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 illnesses are being talked about more freely than ever before. There is still a lot to be done, and stigma remains a major obstacle.
The pressure on services increases as the number of people 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 people to receive help and improve outcomes.
There is also work being made to address the gap in the funding for physical and mental health, as well 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 plans to introduce an array of specially-trained mental health ambulances. This will decrease the number of general ambulance call-outs for people in crisis, and will 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 to cut down on waiting time and increase the number of people who receive help.
If you are struggling, there is always someone to talk to. You can call the Samaritans at 116 123 or visit a branch in your area. They provide free, confidential and non-judgemental support for anyone in emotional trouble. They are available via email, phone, or letter anytime of the day.
4. Take action
It's essential to take action whenever you're worried about your mental well-being. The right support can help you to stay healthy and well.
One in four people in the UK will suffer from mental illness at some moment in their lives however, it's important to keep in mind that you can recover from the majority of mental health issues. Most mental health issues are mild and short-term and can be addressed by a physician with medication. Certain conditions, such as anxiety and depression, can be a reaction to difficult life events like bereavement or a break-up in a relationship, however stress at work can also contribute to them.
We can all do things to improve our mental health, including eating a healthy diet, getting enough rest and exercising regularly and learning how to manage stress. Everyone's needs vary, and sometimes we need assistance. This could be in the form of occupational therapy, talking therapies or medication.
There are numerous charities and support services available to help with various problems, including housing, debts, addictions and eating disorders. The government has laid out its goals for the mental health service in the Five Year Forward View however it's our responsibility to ensure that these aspirations are realized.
As the Time for Action Report highlights investing in the mental health of children and adolescents is crucial. But, spending by the public on CAMHS is currently lagging behind spending on adult mental health services and funding is a postcode lottery.
Health and social care professionals are increasingly putting prevention at the top of their agendas to improve the mental health of their communities. This is reflected in the Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health which brings more than 140 organizations from the social and health care sector who have signed up to a shared commitment to make prevention of mental illness a priority.
The NHS has made it clear that it is committed to tackling the stigma and inequalities of mental health and the gap between physical and mental health care. There is much to be done. We must change the mental health and how we talk about it. We must break down the barriers that continue to divide us and to create an environment where people value mental health as much as physical health.