Our society today, is one that is obsessed with physical health and body image but what about our mental health? This is just as vital and something that has become a growing public concern. This year the 10th of October is World Mental Health Day, used as an opportunity to discuss disorders, raise awareness and hopefully end the widespread stigma.
Statistics:
According toMind as many as 1 in 4 will experience or deal with a mental health problem. This results in 91 million working days lost per year with depression being the leading cause. This is a staggering amount, yet people are still afraid to talk about it. A survey carried out by theMental Health Foundation discovered that “40% of people still believe people with mental ill-health are prone to violence.” It is then no surprise why people feel ashamed or embarrassed to admit they have a problem and to try to seek help. As a result, it becomes a vicious circle. The more time you have off, the more nervous you become about returning to work. We are a nation of worriers who care a lot about what other people think of us! Consequently, this becomes a knock-on effect that will impact other areas in our life.
This is the reason there are now special days dedicated to acknowledging important causes like this. Intended to encourage the flow of communication and emphasise the necessity to speak about problems. There are various factors that can contribute as circumstances change, affecting how we cope with situations. Everyone has a different coping mechanism.
Students:
However, it is not just professionals or work that can affect our mental health. There has been a rise in student health issues. Factors such as academic and financial pressures having a huge impact as well as social situations. The number of students reported to have experienced some form of psychological distress has doubled over the last couple of years. Anxiety and loneliness are at the top of concerns, with some turning to substance abuse. So, what are universities and accommodation providers doing to help those in need? We recently spoke to Bobbi Hartshorne, Global Head of wellbeing for GSA to discuss their latest framework aimed to combat these issues. Listen to our Student Accommodation podcast to find out more.
Symptoms:
There are many disorders that come under the mental health bracket and different symptoms that can occur. They can affect an individual’s mood or behaviour and in extreme cases can tragically lead to suicide. The former is the focus for World Mental Health Day and what preventative steps can be taken to address this. 1 person dies every 40 seconds from suicide as reported by WHO.
This huge statistic is not categorised based on wealth. A few years ago, the death of the famous American actor and comedian, Robin Williams became public for this very reason, suicide.
“The saddest people always try their hardest to make people happy because they know what it’s like to feel absolutely worthless and they don’t want anyone else to feel like that.”
The point is depression can affect anyone. Even those who, from an outsider’s perspective, appear to have the perfect life.
So, what are the key signs that someone is struggling? Apart from the obvious physical indications, irritability, lack of energy, loss of appetite and difficulty sleeping are a few others. For an extensive list of disorders, their causes and support have a look at the Mental Health Foundation.
How can someone improve their mental health? The conventional way to treat an illness is through Medication. Psychological health is no different. However, there is also the holistic approach and other steps that can be taken.
The NHS believe “what you do with your body can have a powerful effect on your mental wellbeing.”So, exercise is a key preventative approach to well-being. For something less energetic and if you need a little time out, there are now also mindfulness and meditation apps on the market such as ReachOut Breathe or Headspace. And if none of the above works for you, sunshine and a daily dose of vitamin D is usually a good mood booster!
The main thing is there is no point continuously worrying about something. It will not resolve the issue or change the situation. As they say, a problem shared is a problem halved. Our client’s wellbeing is very important to us. If you or someone you know is in need of help call NHS mental health helpline or theSamaritans. The Samaritans are on hand 24 hours a day and will remain anonymous. #ItsOkNotToBeOk
