Why we must place the same emphasis on mental health as physical
The Mental Health Foundation recently carried out a study with the aim to “understand the prevalence of self-reported mental health problems, levels of positive and negative mental health in the population, and the actions people take to deal with the stressors in their lives”.
Here were some of their key findings:
- More than four in ten people have experienced depression.
- More than a quarter of people have experienced panic attacks.
- Almost two thirds of people say they have experienced a mental health problem.
- Only 13% of people report living with high levels of good mental health.
- 85% of people out of work have experienced a mental health problem compared to two thirds of people in work and just over half of people who have retired.
- People over the age of 55 report experiencing better mental health than average.
- People aged 55 and above are the most likely to take positive steps to help themselves deal better with everyday life - including spending time with friends and family, going for a walk, spending more time on interests, getting enough sleep, eating healthily and learning new things.
The results from this survey are concerning. The number of people reporting good mental health is worryingly low, especially amongst young people, females and people out of work.
Pam Whelan, director of corporate for Simplyhealth, said: “Although mental health problems are now receiving the level of media attention they deserve, a stigma still exists when it comes to discussing mental health issues, such as stress, anxiety or depression, in the workplace. We spend around a third of our weekdays at work so HR and line managers should be engaging in regular conversation with colleagues about the importance of addressing mental health issues, extending an arm to support employees who are going through a difficult time.
“Businesses should actively prevent and manage employees’ mental health problems before they become severe, which can lead to lost productivity or long-term sickness. Proactive support across the health spectrum is the best way to look after your employees’ wellbeing, keeping them fit, healthy and happy both at work and in their home life.”
The Mental Health Foundation concludes that collectively, our mental health is deteriorating, and as such, our levels of mental health are ‘disturbingly low’.
The report suggests that while mental health issues do affect all demographics, there is not an even distribution as young people, females and those on low incomes are at a significantly higher risk of developing mental health issues.
As a society, we must get to a point where we’re making the same progress in mental health as we are with the physical health of our bodies and life expectancy.
This article was provided by Simplyhealth.
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