Are you mental health aware?
- coffee in a teacup
- May 29, 2019
- 4 min read
As I greet another Wednesday morning, I sit at the table, shovelling almond milk-soaked cereal into my mouth, shipping my coffee from a teacup.
This may seem rather ordinary, but a few years ago, you would not have found me in such a way. You see, as a child I developed eating disorders which accompanied me all throughout my teenage years. With that, came depression and anxiety, that would bring on panic attacks, exhaustion, suicidal thoughts and a desire to bring harm to myself.
That’s right, we’re diving straight into it.
May is almost over. I don’t know where the time goes. What I do know, though, is that May is Mental Health Awareness Month, and I couldn’t let it pass without having my say.
When talking about health, it’s easy to hone the focus on your physical well-being; but what about what goes on inside the mind? We often talk about the issues that affect our body, or those that can be seen, often keeping the troubles we feel inside, inside.
Though, of course, every month should be a month in which we are aware of our mental health, as well as those around us, May brings a very positive opportunity and step towards defeating the stigma behind different issues.
Mental health affects us all, which is why it is crucial that it is no longer treated as a taboo subject like it has been in the past. “One in four adults and one in 10 children experience mental illness, and many more of us know and care for people who do.” - NHS, 2018
Some of the most common mental health issues include:
MIND, UK Statistics (2016):
Generalised anxiety disorder 5.9 in 100 people
Depression 3.3 in 100 people
Phobias 2.4 in 100 people
OCD 1.3 in 100 people
Panic disorder 0.6 in 100 people
Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) 4.4 in 100 people
Mixed anxiety and depression 7.8 in 100 people
Psychotic disorder 0.7 in 100 people
Bipolar disorder 2.0 in 100 people
Antisocial personality disorder 3.3 in 100 people
Borderline personality disorder 2.4 in 100 people
Suicidal thoughts 20.6 in 100 people
Suicide attempts 6.7 in 100 people
Self-harm 7.3 in 100 people
Out of 100, it may seem as though the figures are quite small – but if you were to see 100
people in a room, you would realise just how overwhelming these statistics are.
There are so many ways in which our mental health can be affected, and it’s nothing to be ashamed of.
Did you know?
Eating disorders are also a type of mental health issue. Between 600,000 and 725,000 people in the UK are affected by an eating disorder. – Mental Health Foundation
16 million people in the UK experience a mental illness. One in four adults will experience a mental illness at some point each year in the UK. This ranges from anxiety and depression to alcohol dependence, substance misuse and psychosis. – The Guardian, 2018
Three in four mental illnesses start in childhood. 75% of mental illnesses start before a child reaches their 18th birthday, while 50% of mental health problems in adult life (excluding dementia) take root before the age of 15. – The Guardian, 2018
Suicide is the biggest killer of young people in the UK. Suicide is a leading cause of death in young men and women aged 20-34 in the UK. The latest figures from the Office of National Statistics reveal that the number of young suicides each year is greater than it has been for the past 10 years. In 2015 1,660 young people under 35 years took their own lives; 103 more than in 2014 and 58 more than the previous highest recorded figure (1,631 in 2011). – The Guardian, 2018
More than half of young people link mental illness with alienation and isolation. 56% believe that anyone their age diagnosed with a mental illness would be treated differently, and 55% believe they would lose friends. – The Guardian, 2018
More than half of young people feel embarrassed about mental illness. 51% of young people believe that anyone their age diagnosed with a mental illness would be embarrassed. The findings from a YouGov/MQ survey also show a high level of mental health problems in students, as more than a quarter (27%) report having a mental health problem of one type or another. Female students are more likely to say they have mental health problems than males (34% v 19%). – The Guardian, 2018
Many famous figures have opened up about their own personal battles. Comedy actors and all-round funny guys, Jim Carrey and the late Robin Williams have previously spoken openly about their experiences with depression - but they are not the only ones. Actress, Amanda Seyfriend has also opened up about how she takes antidepressant Lexapro and has no plans to come off it. Read more on the Harpers Bazaar website: https://www.harpersbazaar.com/celebrity/latest/g15159447/celebrities-depression-anxiety-mental-health/
It’s time for change. It’s time to talk. If you or someone you know might be experiencing some form of mental health issue, there are many services available for help and advice.
Samaritans
Telephone: 116 123 (available 24 hours a day and free to call.)
Email: jo@samaritans.org
Website: www.samaritans.org
Provide confidential, non-judgmental emotional support for people experiencing feelings of distress or despair, including those that could lead to suicide. You can phone, email, write a letter or in most cases, talk to someone face to face.
Mind Infoline
Telephone: 0300 123 3393 (9 am - 6 pm Monday to Friday)
Email: info@mind.org.uk
Web site: www.mind.org.uk/help/advice_lines
Mind provides confidential mental health information services. With support and understanding, Mind enables people to make informed choices. The Infoline gives information on types of mental distress, where to get help, drug treatments, alternative therapies and advocacy. Mind has around 140 stations providing local mental health services.
Rethink Mental Illness Advice
Telephone: 0300 5000 927 (9.30 am - 4 pm Monday to Friday)
Email: info@rethink.org
Website: http://www.rethink.org/about-us/our-mental-health-advice
Provide expert advice and information to people with mental health problems and those who care for them, as well as giving help to health professionals, employers and staff. Rethink also runs Rethink services and groups across England and Northern Ireland.
Stand up, help one another, share your story, but never feel ashamed.
And as always, please, be kind.
29.May.2019
Wednesday
So will written Hannah. Mental health needs to be talked about and this covers the subject so well, informative and with empathy. Well done :)