Starting the Conversation: World Mental Health Day 2024

10th of October - Mental Health Day 2024

Ahead of the very important World Mental Health Day coming up on the 10th of October, I wanted to dedicate a blog post to raising awareness about mental health, and the importance of checking in on those around us. This topic is of great importance to me, and is a cause that is very close to both myself and my family.

Mental health is a topic that is often highly stigmatised, and largely considered ‘taboo’ in everyday chit-chat. This stigma can result in discrimination and isolation, and mean that people who are struggling may experience challenges in getting the help that they need, leading to a perpetuation of harmful silences (American Psychiatric Association,). However, despite what the stigma surrounding mental health conditions may suggest, it is no secret that talking about our feelings is an important step in targeting negative emotions and bettering our mental health. This blog post, therefore, seeks to contribute to the effort of raising awareness, emphasising that through talking about what's going on, we can make it better.

What is Mental Health and World Mental Health day?

Although it may seem obvious, everyone has a ‘mental health’. Just like we have a physical health that is concerned with our bodies, we all have a mental health that is concerned with our minds.

Mental health can be defined as a state of mind marked by emotional wellbeing, a relative lack of anxiety and the ability to form positive relationships and manage everyday life effectively (American Psychological Society, 2024).

When someone experiences a mental health condition, problem, or illness, they deviate from such a positive wellbeing, and often struggle to cope with everyday tasks and relationships. Whilst there are numerous factors, such as trauma, chronic stress, genetic predispositions, and substance abuse, that can render individuals more likely to develop a mental health condition, it is important to remember that mental illness does not discriminate and can affect anyone, anywhere (MIND, 2017).

Every year, The World Federation of Mental Health sets a specific theme for Mental Health Day. This year’s theme is ‘workplace mental health’ (Mental Health Foundation, 2024). This is a hugely important topic when considering that for most of us, the workplace is our most visited location for 5 out of the 7 days in a week.

Let's get our numbers straight....

The numbers speak for themselves: untreated mental health issues have an immense impact at both an individual level, and, on a broader socio-economic scale. Creating a positive working environment is paramount in supporting mental well-being and in building a happier, healthier tomorrow.

What can we do to better our mental health and support others:

The World Mental Health Foundation has created an evidence-based guide to looking after our mental health (Mental Health Foundation, 2024). This includes making sure that you are:

• eating well

• doing something you enjoy in a day

• taking a break when it all gets too much

• managing your relationships

• caring for others

• talking about your feelings

• asking for help when you need it

Importantly, a common theme across this guide is that of talking about how we, or our peers, are feeling. Indeed, starting that conversation has been proven to help lessen the stigma surrounding mental health, address important emotions, and ultimately save lives.

So, check in on your mates - it really is so important.

If you are reading this and you are feeling down or like you are struggling, please know that you are not alone. There are resources that can help you.

For Samaritans:

• Call 116 123

• Or, chat online using this link: https://www.samaritans.org/how-we-can-help/contact-samaritan/

For Adferiad, a charity that provides information and services to those affected by mental health conditions:

• adferiad.org

For Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) :

• Call 0800 58 58 58

• Or check out their website: thecalmzone.net

References:

American Psychiatric Association, 2024. Stigma, Prejudice and Discrimination Against people with Mental Illness https://www.psychiatry.org/patients-families/stigma-and-discrimination

American Psychological AssociaEon, 2024. Mental Health https://www.apa.org/topics/mental-health

Mental Health FoundaEon, 2024. World Mental Health Day 2024. https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/world-mental-health-day#paragraph-53091

MIND, 2017; 2020. About Mental Health Problems: an introduction.

https://www.mind.org.uk/informaEon-support/types-of-mental-health-problems/mental-health-problems-introducEon/about-mental-health-problems/

International Labour Organisation, 2022. Mental Health at work: policy brief. https://www.ilo.org/sites/default/files/wcmsp5/groups/public/@ed_protect/@protrav/@safework/documents/publication/wcms_856976.pdf

World Health Organisation, 2024. Mental Health at Work.

https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/mental-health-at-work