World Mental Health Day2016

Every year the World Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day on 10th October as an opportunity to globally raise awareness of mental health issues.  This year’s theme is Psychological First Aid and supporting people in distress.

Every day people all over the world are experiencing personal crises such as bereavement, stressful work situations and serious physical illnesses.  High stress levels caused by such crises can increase the likelihood of developing mental health problems and we need to be able to offer the right support when it’s needed by our friends, family, colleagues and neighbours.  In the same way that we all have physical health, we also all have mental health.  And, like our physical health, our mental health can change and we can become unwell.  We probably all work with or know someone who suffers from mental health problems.  In fact many people are surprised to learn that as many as 1 in 4 people suffer from mental health issues.

The over-riding principal of all first aid is that any of us should be able to offer help when it’s needed.  One of the easiest ways of doing this is to get people talking about mental health on Mental Health Awareness Day on 10th October as this helps to break down barriers, raise awareness and help people realise that they are not alone and that help is available.  9 out of 10 people with mental health problems report that they experience some degree of stigma or discrimination. 

We can all help stamp out the stigma surrounding mental health by creating a society where mental health problems are not kept hidden or shrouded in secrecy and shame:

Don’t use derogatory language when describing people with mental health problems
If you feel comfortable doing so, challenge people who say negative or hurtful things about people with mental health problems
If you know somebody experiencing mental health problems ask them how they are feeling – let them know that they can open up and talk about it 

Sometimes help can best be given by gently pointing someone in the direction of the appropriate professional, either through a GP or private counsellor.  Professional, trained, counsellors often use a variety of techniques such as Cognitive Behavioural Therapy and Mindfulness in order to equip people with a “tool box” of coping strategies to help with the management of stressful situations.  These strategies can be used in a variety of situations, whenever the need arises, to help maintain mental health.

So, the next time you are with someone who is, or has, experienced mental health problems don’t worry about “saying the wrong thing”; just let them know that you are there to help should they need it.

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