The Main Issue With Mental Health UK And How You Can Solve It
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 hasn't seen the same advancements. Many reported feeling satisfied with their own mental health, however many were worried about the health of others. They also discussed the effects of poor economic conditions on their own and others' mental wellbeing. 1. Get help Finding help is the first step to taking care of your mental health. It's crucial to seek assistance regardless of whether it's difficult. There are several ways to seek help with therapy, such as lifestyle modifications. Each treatment is different, so it's important to find the best option for you. Recognizing that you or someone else you know suffers from mental illness is the first step towards seeking assistance. It's important to act if you notice a shift in how someone you know acts, thinks or feels. This could mean speaking to the person and asking for their assistance. Joining a support group could help you find others who understand your situation. It's also important to discuss with family and friends about how you feel. They can be an ear to listen and even recommend you to professionals. Additionally, discussing your feelings can be a form of stress relief, and it can give you perspective on what's happening in your life. People suffering from mental health issues can experience a wide variety of symptoms, ranging from depression and anxiety to schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. The severity of mental health issues varies from person to person. It can be difficult to determine whether a symptom is an normal response to a stressful event or the sign that a serious illness is developing. Mental illness can have a significant impact on a person's daily life. They can affect everything from their work and relationships to their overall health and happiness. They can also have a significant impact on your physical health. People who have mental health issues are more likely than other people to suffer from physical symptoms that aren't medically explained. In recent years there is a shift in our perception of mental health. Mental illness is less stigmatized, and more people seek treatment. Helping mental health assessment is the first step toward living a healthier, happier life. It is best to begin by consulting your primary care doctor. They can recommend a professional psychologist, counselor or psychiatrist who specializes in mental issues. 2. Keep it up Mental health issues are finally receiving the attention they deserve. A myriad of tragic news stories and high-profile campaigns, along with increasing awareness have brought them to the forefront. There is still a long to go before physical and mental health in the UK are treated equally. In England the UK, mental health services are not ring-fenced and are not subject to the same pressures as acute or physical healthcare services in terms of funding. This has led to a few instances of evidence that the same level of disinvestment is taking place, but evidence is difficult to come by. The attempts to determine these trends have been hampered by the lack of data aggregation regarding the overall state of local services and by the fact that the same systemwide key performance indicators (e.g. The maximum time for referral from primary care to specialists is 18 weeks. This is the case for both mental and physical health. However the budget and monitoring of service availability and quality are different. To tackle this issue, a new method is required to build mental health resilience. And it must be led at the local level by people who are familiar with their communities – such as faith-based groups, community groups, local charities, children's groups and community-based peer support groups. These groups must be supported and facilitated with the proper training, resources, and support to grow their role in creating mental wellbeing across all age groups. The GPs must also be equipped with the tools they need to provide regular check-ins which aren't overloaded by the demands. They can then link patients to evidence-based self-management guidance and peer assistance. This will ease the pressure placed on the NHS and will allow mental health services to be more effective. The public should also be encouraged to play a more active part in their own health by taking control of their leisure time, choosing healthier lifestyles and seeking help whenever needed. This can be done through volunteering, participating in local events and fundraising for mental health charities, as in addition to attending or coordinating workplace health activities like mindfulness sessions. 3. Controlling the situation In terms of mental health, the UK is a world leader. There is still plenty of work to do. There are many who have mental health issues but are hesitant to seek help due to the stigma attached. In fact, they often wait until their symptoms become severe before seeking medical assistance. This can result in an extended period of suffering, higher costs and greater risk of life-threatening illnesses such as cancer or heart disease. The positive side is that mental health care has advanced since the NHS was created 70 years ago. Mental illnesses are now being discussed more openly and the treatment options are more advanced. There is much to be done, and stigma remains a major obstacle. The pressure on services grows as the number of patients suffering from mental health issues increases. The government is committed to investing an extra PS2.3 billion a year to expand and transform services across the country. This will support 2 million more people to access help and improve care and outcomes. More is also being done to tackle the inequality in funding between physical and mental health, and to remove the barriers that block people from seeking 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 developed to create a special network in mental health ambulances. This will reduce the need of general ambulance call-outs for people in crisis, and improve response times and care 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 receiving assistance. If you're having a hard time there is always someone to talk to. You can contact the Samaritans at 116 123 or visit a local branch. They provide free, non-judgemental and confidential support to anyone experiencing emotional distress. They are available 24 hours a day and can be reached by mail, telephone or email. 4. Take action If you're concerned about your mental health, it's crucial to act. The right support can keep you in good health and well. One in four people in the UK will suffer from mental illness at some point in their lives, but it's important to remember that you can recover from most mental health problems. The majority of mental health issues are not severe and temporary, and can be treated by a doctor using medication. Some conditions, like depression and anxiety may be the result of difficult life circumstances, like grieving over a loss or break-up in an intimate relationship. Stress at work could be a contributing to the cause. We can all take steps to improve our mental health, such as eating a balanced diet, getting enough sleep and exercising regularly and learning how to manage stress. However, everyone's needs are different and sometimes, we need more help. This can include things like occupational therapy, talking therapies or medications. There's also a broad range of charities and support services that can help with a myriad of issues, including addiction, debt, housing and eating disorders. The Five Year Forward view outlines the goals of the government's mental health services. It is up to us to make those aspirations into reality. As the Time for Action Report highlights, investing in the mental health of children and young adults is essential. CAMHS spending is currently behind adult mental health spending and funding is a lottery. Prevention is increasingly at the center of the efforts of social and health care providers to improve the mental health of their communities. This is reflected by the Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health that brings together more than 140 organizations from the social and health care sectors that have pledged to making the prevention of mental illness their priority. The NHS has made clear that it is committed to tackling the stigma and inequalities that surround mental health and the gap between mental and physical health care. But, there's a lot to do. We need to change the way that we think and speak about mental health. We need to break down the barriers that continue to divide us and to create an environment in which people value mental wellbeing just as they value physical wellbeing.