Mental Health Awareness Week 2022- Why it’s important to keep the conversaton going
Looking after our mental health is so important! It is as important as physical health but because it’s not as obvious as a lot of physical conditions, our mental health (whether good or bad) can be ignored and not cared for. I, myself have had some trials and tribulations with my mental health in the past, and although I don’t necessarily feel comfortable talking about it on the internet just yet, it is so important for there to be awareness out mental health and a place for people to speak up and ask for help if they need it!
So as part of mental health awareness week I am going to do a blog post a day, giving a little bit of input on some of the massive topics of conversation about mental health. If you fancy having a chat in the comments about your opinions on these issues, I would love that! And my dm’s are always open for anyone that wants to have a chat :)
It is important to remember that it is very common to experience problems with your mental health. Approximately 1 in 4 people in the UK will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England! Therefore, it is so important that there is a platform for people to speak up when they need help and remove the stigma around having mental health issues.
Today’s post is a little bit of an overview before we get into some deep stuff in the next few posts!!!
So what exactly is mental health?
Mental health is all about out emotional, psychological, and social wellbeing. It pretty much effects everything- it affects how we feel, think and act! It also helps to determine how we deal with life- i.e., how we handle stress; make choices and relate to others. Mental health is detrimental at every stage of our lives- no one is exempt from having to take care of their mental health!
Over your life, if you experience any mental health problem (which a lot of us do), your thinking, mood and behaviour can all be affected. It is super important to remember that mental health problems are common, and help is available! With the right care mental health problems will get better and many will recover completely!
Some factors that could contribute to mental health problems include:
Life experiences, such a abuse or trauma
Family history of mental health conditions
Biological factors such as brain chemistry or genes.
Why we need to talk about it
The importance of talking about mental health cannot be overstressed! A lot of the time people can be scared to talk up about their mental health disorders in fear of being judged! Because of this, it is important to encourage a platform for people to discuss mental health disorders without fear of being judged unfairly. Here is some of the reasons why talking about it can help:
1. It removes the stigma: Despite the growing focus on mental health in recent years, there is still a stigma attached to a lot of mental health conditions. This stigma can prevent people from recognising when they may need to reach out for help. I.e. if you are worried about facing discrimination for talking out about your mental health issues then you may avoid talking out about mental health problems when you face them. Talking about metal health issues, including mental illness, can break down these barriers so people feel comfortable to talk about it when they face a problem. Also, discussions help to understand the facts around mental illness rather than myths!
2. Can show you how common mental health problems are: Discussion about mental health problems and illnesses can help people to understand how common mental health problems are, providing us with opportunities to correct misconceptions and feel better when asking for help.
3. To maintain good mental health: Mental illness isn’t the only aspect of mental health. Discussing mental health overall can help encourage us to maintain our mental well-being on a regular basis.
4. Encourage care and support: Although mental health disorders are increasing, not everyone seeks treatment or help for them. Talking about mental health in general encourages people to seek treatment, especially when people realise they are not on their own! Millions of people live with mental health issues and the more we talk about it the more likely they will feel comfortable seeking carer and support!
Some great places to find more information:
Some great websites to find some more information include:
Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk
Mind is a mental health charity in England and Wales. Mind offers information and advice to people with mental health problems and lobbies government and local authorities on their behalf. You can find some great resources and information on this website!
NHS: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/
You can find information and support for you mental health through the NHS here.
Mental health UK: https://mentalhealth-uk.org
Mental health UK is an organisation that works across England, Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland to support people affected by mental health problems. You can find some amazing resources/ education packs on this website.
Just remember, if you are going through anything there is always so many avenues to reach out and talk to people, whether that be friends and family or professional services. You are not alone!!!
