It’s Time to Talk

Talking about Mental Health. Where do we start? It’s been taboo to talk about what you’re feeling for what seems forever in our part of the world.

Talk of asylums and men in white jackets comes to mind as to why we are uncomfortable. Nowadays with so much more understanding of what causes and how to treat mental health this really should not be something that gets swept under the carpet. But still it does.

In 2019 Britain saw 10.3 deaths per 100,000 people (5,021 deaths) by suicide; in a year in our country. At present we are on red alert for the corona virus ; to date just over 500 people have died from it in this outbreak. Should we not be on red alert for suicide prevention?

Suicide and Mental Health is a touchy subject. Didn’t cancer used to be; the big C, a condition no one mentioned? Has the shift in talking about cancer and bringing it to the forefront of people’s minds with Cancer Research UK’s heavily funded promotion changed the situation for those suffering with cancer?

As well as people feeling ashamed and hiding their troubles, embarrassment and decrease in pride and self worth which come with depression and many other mental health conditions, there is a struggle to treat people in our health service. Mental illness is an illness, just as a broken bone or a faulty thyroid. There is not only funding restrictions but also lack of fully and appropriately trained staff applying for positions within the Mental Health Sector.

Funding of Mental Health Services in our health service is decided upon by what is seen as important to the patients – having a broken limb seen to quickly is more important than ongoing mental support – Parity. How do we change this? By talking and acting.

Yes talking to a friend may help them to open up. Ask them once ‘are you ok?’ and then ask again if you sense something isn’t right.

• But do you know what to do if you or your child is feeling off colour?
• Do you know where to turn for some support for yourself if your child or family member has been diagnosed with a condition that affects their mental health?
• What would concern you about a friend’s mental health?
• If you have suffered from depression or another condition, do you trust the services that are available to treat your children should they need support?

So on this #TimeToTalk day why not talk about Mental Health, Mental Health Support and what can be done to give us all hope? #GiveUsHope

If on reading this you have concerns about yourself or anyone else around you, you can find support by texting ‘Shout’ to 85258 or ringing the Samaritans on 116 123 any time. There are more ways of contacting the Samaritans here – The Samaritans
They are there to talk!

Author: Jude Gidney - Editor

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