UK Mental Health Awareness Week 2017

Mental Health Awareness Week

This week in the UK it’s Mental Health Awareness Week (8 – 14 May 2017), and the big question being posed is:

Are we surviving or are we thriving?

To find out more about the campaign, go to mentalhealth.org.uk

Mental Health and Wellbeing are the hot topics right now. And we are so happy to see that, as they’ve been swept under the carpet for way too long.

The stigma around mental health goes back a long way, and it’s an attitude that we simply need to get over!

For a moment, let’s just consider depression…

• The World Health Organisation (WHO) report that the number of people globally with depression worldwide increased 18% between 2005 and 2015
• Currently, more than 300 million people worldwide are living with depression

And that’s not even taking into account other mental health conditions such as stress and anxiety. Suffice to say, this is fast becoming one of the major issues of the current age and it needs to be tackled head on.

Mental Health in the Workplace

60% of UK senior leadership or board members believe their organisation supports people with mental health issues, yet 50% of employees say they would not discuss mental health with their manager. This is a worrying disconnect between perception and reality.

A lack of support for people with mental health problems, coupled with a fear of being stigmatised, prevents many people living with mental health issues from accessing the treatment they need to live healthy, productive lives. So it’s wonderful that more people are finally comfortable talking about mental health.

Who’s talking about mental health?

Loads of people! Here’s just a few of the highly publicised mental health conversations of the moment…

• The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry have opened up, sharing their personal stories, and in April they spearheaded the ‘Mental Health Marathon’ in London
  • Heads Together: ending the stigma around mental health
  • And here are the young Royals, speaking openly about mental health

• Prime Minister Theresa May’s Workplace Mental Health and Wellbeing agenda is placing responsibilities onto organisations to support their people, both proactively and reactively
  • Prime Minister unveils plans to transform mental health support

• BBC Radio 5 Live a running a year-long season, taking an in-depth look at our mental health
  • BBC Radio 5 Live ‘State of Mind’

• Employers committing to “Time to Change”
  • 340 employers have publicly demonstrated their commitment to mental health in the workplace, and to reduce stigma
  • Time To Change employer pledge

What does all this tell us?

It tells us that it’s safe to openly talk to each other about these issues. None of us is alone. So many of us are suffering – and that suffering can be reduced if we share with each other.

Each day this week, we will be sharing suggestions about what we can do to look after ourselves, those around us, our employees, etc. Because let’s face it, we want to ensure that we are thriving, not just surviving.

See you tomorrow, when we’ll be discussing 5 things you can do to reduce stress and improve your mental health and wellbeing.

If you need any support in these areas, get in touch. We would love to help. Email us at sarah@safeandwelltogether.com or give Sarah a call on +44 7791 97 82 44.