Responsible For The Mental Health UK Budget? 12 Best Ways To Spend Your Money
Mental Health in the UK
Since the NHS was launched 70 years ago, medical advances and treatments have been made available at no cost to those in need. However, mental health has yet to see the same progress.
People reported feeling good about their own mental health, however many were worried that others weren't. They also discussed the effect of economic downturns on their own and other well-being.
1. Get help
One of the most important steps to take when you're experiencing mental health issues is to seek assistance. It can be a challenge, but it's vital for your well-being. There are many ways to seek help, including therapy and lifestyle changes. Each treatment is unique and therefore it is important to find what works best for you.
The first step in getting help is recognizing that you or someone you know suffers from mental health issues. If you notice an alteration in the way someone you know is feeling, thinks or behaves, it's important to take action. This often means talking to the person concerned and asking for assistance. Joining a support group could help you find others who can relate to your situation.
It is also advisable to talk to your family and acquaintances about how you're feeling. They can offer a sympathetic ear and could be capable of referring you to an expert. Additionally, discussing your feelings can be a form of stress relief and can help you see the bigger picture of the events in your life.
Mental health issues can trigger various symptoms. These can range from depression and anxiety, to bipolar disorder, and even schizophrenia. The severity of these issues differs from one person to another, making it hard to determine if it is a natural response to stress or a sign of an illness that is serious.
Mental illnesses can have a huge impact on the daily life. They can impact everything from relationships and work to their overall health and happiness. Additionally, they could influence their physical health. People with mental health issues are more likely than other people to have physical symptoms that aren't medically explained.
In recent times, there is a shift in the way we view mental health. Mental illness is less stigmatized, and more people seek treatment. Helping yourself is the first step towards living a more positive, healthier lifestyle. The best place to begin is with a primary health care provider. They can usually suggest a psychologist, psychiatrist or a specialist counselors who specialize in mental health issues.
2. Keeping it up
Mental health issues are now receiving the attention they deserve. Numerous tragic stories in the media and well-known campaigns, along with increasing awareness have brought them to light. However, we still have a long way be before physical and mental health are considered equal priorities in the UK.
In England, mental healthcare services are not ringfenced, and are therefore subject to the same funding pressures as acute/physical health care services. It has given rise to a few instances of evidence that the same level of disinvestment is happening, however hard proof is difficult to find. The lack of data consolidated about the state of local services as well as the fact that the most important performance indicators are the same for the entire system (e.g. a maximum waiting time of 18 weeks to refer a patient from primary care to a specialist) apply to both mental and physical health, but are interpreted differently when it comes to defining an appropriate budget and monitoring availability and quality.
To tackle this issue a new method of building mental resilience is required. This must be led by local people who are familiar with their communities, for instance faith-based groups and community groups. These groups will need to be supported and guided by the appropriate training, resources and support to develop their role in promoting mental wellbeing across all age groups.
The GPs must also be given the resources they require to offer regular check-ins, that aren't burdened by the demand. They can then link patients to self-management advice based on evidence and peer support. This will ease the burden on the NHS in general and will allow for greater capacity in mental health services.
The general public should also be encouraged to play an active role in their own wellbeing by taking control of their leisure time, adopting healthier choices and seeking help when they need it. This can be done through volunteering, participating in local events, and raising money for mental health charities as well as attending or organizing workplace health events like mindfulness sessions.
3. Take control
The UK is a leading country in the world in terms of mental health. There is much work to do. There are still many people who have mental health issues but don't seek help due to the stigma attached. They usually wait until their symptoms become serious before seeking medical help. This can result in prolonged suffering, higher costs and a higher risk of developing life-threatening conditions such as cancer or heart disease.
The positive side is that mental healthcare has come a long way since the NHS was established 70 years ago. Mental illnesses are now being discussed more openly, and treatment options are now more advanced. There is much to be done, and stigma remains a major barrier.
As the number of people suffering from mental health issues continues to rise the demand for services is increasing. The government has promised to invest PS2.3 billion per year to improve and transform mental health services in the country. This will support 2 million more people to access help and improve care and outcomes.
There is also work being made to address the gap in the amount of money allocated to physical and mental health, and the obstacles that hinder people from accessing help. 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.
There are plans to introduce a network of specialised mental health ambulances. This will reduce the number of general ambulance calls for people in crisis, and will improve speed of response and treatment for those who have mental health problems. The government is also expanding 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 help.
There is always someone who can assist you if you're struggling. The Samaritans can be reached at 116 123 or visit a local branch. They offer free, confidential and non-judgmental help to anyone who is in emotional suffering. They are available by email, phone or mail anytime of the day.
4. Taking action
If you're concerned about your mental health, it's crucial to take action. The right support can keep you healthy and happy.
One in four people in the UK will experience mental illness at some time in their lives, but it's important to know that you can recover from many mental health issues. The majority of them are short-term, mild and can be treated with medication by a GP. Certain conditions, such as depression and anxiety, are a result of life-changing events, such as a bereavement, or a breakup in the course of a relationship. Stress at work may also be a contributing to the cause.
We can all take steps to improve our mental health, such as eating a healthy diet, getting enough rest and physical activity, and learning to manage stress. However, everyone's needs are different and sometimes, we require more help. This can include talking therapies, occupational therapists or medications.
There are a myriad of charities and support services available to help with various problems, including addictions, debt, housing and eating disorders. The government has laid out its goals for the mental health service in the Five Year Forward View however it is up to us all to ensure that those goals become reality.
investing in children and young people's mental health, as outlined by the Time for Action report, is essential. But, spending by the public on CAMHS is currently falling behind spending on adult mental health services and funding is a postcode lottery.
Prevention is increasingly at the core of the work of social and health care providers to improve the mental health of their communities. This is evident in the Prevention Concordat for Better Mental Health that brings more than 140 organizations from the social and health care sector that have agreed to an agreement to make preventing mental illness a top priority.
mental health diagnostic assessment has declared that it is committed in addressing stigma and inequalities in mental health, and also the gap between physical and mental health care. But, there's much to be done. We must change the mental health and the way we discuss it. We must break down the barriers that divide us and to build a society in which people are concerned about mental wellbeing as much as physical wellbeing.