Understanding and Awareness to Banish the Stigma of Mental Health Problems

Every year, one in four of us will suffer from some sort of mental health issue. So why is it still such a problem for us to talk about it? We seem to have an aversion to being labelled as ‘mental’ but with our world becoming increasingly complex and hectic, problems such as depression and anxiety are on the increase. Most of us don’t have any problem telling our friends and family that we have a physical problem and we’re happy to go to the doctor to have it diagnosed and treated. But when it comes to our mental health, we’re more likely to ignore it, and just try to deal with it without telling anyone or trying to get help.

October 10^th is World Mental Health Day and this yearly event is all about looking after your own mental well-being and banishing the stigma surround mental health problems. There’s a different focus each year and this year it’s all about mental health in the young. While we may think that young people have it easy these days, their lives are so much more complicated than ours were when we were young. Their lives are lived out on social media and while that can be a good thing, it can also cause a lot of problems. Then there is the stress of exams, and fears for the future, getting a job, finding a home of their own, relationship worries.

Tea & Talk

Getting involved in World Mental Health Day is easy. Talking is a great way to give your mental health a boost, discovering that so many others suffer similar problems, and to connect with friends and family. So this year why not hold a Tea & Talk party? Invite people round, put the kettle on and just have a natter! Put in a donation for the Mental Health Foundation and you’re helping to fund vital research into mental health disorders and their treatment.

Look out for others and yourself too!

Being an open, listening ear can really make a world of difference too. Just showing someone you care, and that you’re there for them if they want to talk can be of huge benefit to anyone who is simply suffering in silence. Don’t forget to pay attention to your own mental well-being. It’s likely that if you have an ache or pain, you keep an eye on it, you monitor it, and then you’ll get professional help if the problem gets worse or doesn’t clear up. We really should pay the same level of attention to our mental health. If you’re suffering, you really should get help, it could be the best thing you’ve ever done. You must never feel silly asking for help for a health problem just because it’s a mental problem and not a physical one!