What is Mental Health Awareness Week?

Mental Health Awareness Week (14th-20th May 2018), which is now in its 18th year, is organised by the Mental Health Foundation, the UK’s charity for everyone’s mental health.

Research has shown that 16 million people experience a mental health problem each year (Mental Health Foundation). With a population in the UK of around 66 million, that’s around 24 per cent of us; you are most probably sat very near to someone that has experienced or is dealing right now with a mental health problem.

This year for Mental Health Awareness Week, the focus is on stress. Long commutes, unsociable working hours, problems with finances or unexpected life events are some of the most common reasons why people are getting stressed. Although stress is a normal part of life, if it becomes long term it can seriously interfere with your job, family life, and health. 

Research by Mind has found that work is the most stressful factor in people’s lives, with one in three people saying their work-life was either very or quite stressful, more so than financial problems or health. The survey also found that workplace stress has resulted in 7% having suicidal thoughts and one in five people developing anxiety. 

How can I get involved?

To encourage more people to get together and discuss their mental health, the Mental Health Foundation is inviting people across the country to take part in a Curry and Chaat event as part of its new fundraising campaign.

Following on from the success of its Tea and Talk event, Curry and Chaat is aimed at getting more men to express their feelings, particularly as suicide is the biggest killer of men under the age of 45. 

There are many ways to start the conversation around mental health and help people within your community. Hosting a charity football match, mocktail party, Tea and Talk bake sale or BBQ are just a few simple ideas that you can get involved in.

How Nurseplus support Mental Health

At Nurseplus, we are passionate about ending the stigma against mental health. We care about ensuring that those with mental health illnesses get the very best care and support, regardless of age, and try to turn the negative feelings and thoughts that are often associated with mental health, into positive ones. Our dedicated and trustworthy support staff can help those struggling in the community or in specialist establishments.

Support available

Mental Health problems affect more people than you realise. According to Mind, “good mental health means being generally able to think, feel and react in ways that you need and want to live your life.” If you or someone you know is suffering from poor mental health, it is important to get help early on.

There is a wide range of support networks across the country for people wanting to find out more information, including:

Mental Health Foundation - https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk

Mind - https://www.mind.org.uk

Time to Change - https://www.time-to-change.org.uk

Together - http://www.together-uk.org

Centre for Mental Health - https://www.centreformentalhealth.org.uk

Young Minds - https://youngminds.org.uk

Anxiety UK - https://www.anxietyuk.org.uk

To find out more about how you can get involved in this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, visit Mental Health Foundation.