Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Awareness Week 2019 will take place from Monday 13 to Sunday 19 May 2019. The theme for 2019 is Body Image – how we think and feel about our bodies.
Mental Health Awareness Week is the UK’s national week to raise awareness of mental health and mental health problems, inspiring action to promote the message of good mental health for everyone in society.
Mental health and mental health problems
Mental Health Awareness Week applies to us all – after all, we all have mental health. Some people call mental health ‘emotional health’ or ‘well-being’, since it’s just as important as good physical health. Being mentally healthy doesn’t just mean that you don’t have a mental health problem either. We all have times when we feel down or stressed or frightened. Most of the time those feelings pass. But sometimes they develop into a more serious problem and that could happen to any one of us.
Mental health problems range from the worries we all experience as part of everyday life to more serious long-term conditions. The majority of people who experience mental health problems can get over them or learn to live with them, especially if they get help early on.
Mental health problems are usually defined and classified to enable professionals to refer people for appropriate care and treatment. However, this can leave people feeling defined by a label, which can have a profound effect on their quality of life as well. The more we speak up about mental health problems, the more people will become aware that there’s nothing to be ashamed of.
Mental health problems remain a growing public health concern, in the UK and overseas. Mixed anxiety and depression are the most common mental health problems in Britain, with 7.8% of people meeting the criteria for diagnosis. It is also estimated that between 4 and 10% of people in England will experience depression at some point in their lifetime.
According to the Mental Health Foundation, 50% of mental health problems are established by age 14, and 75% by age 24 – with 1 in 6 adults in the past week experiencing a common mental health problem, such as anxiety or depression.
During Mental Health Awareness Week, hundreds of events take place around the country to raise awareness for mental health. Schools, businesses, community groups and people in their own homes are host events across the week. See what is happening in your area!
Why don’t you also find out how you are doing compared to the national average by taking the Mental Health Foundation survey. The survey is not indicative of whether you are living with a mental health problem, like anxiety or depression, but rather your levels of positive mental health – the ability to cope with everyday life. Also check out these handy guides for helping you to look after your mental health.
Do not be afraid to ask for help
If your mental or emotional state quickly gets worse, or you’re worried about someone you know – help is available. The important thing to remember is that you are not alone; talk to someone you trust.
For more information
Visit the following websites for more information on mental health and mental health problems:
- Mental Health Foundation: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk
- Mental Health UK: https://mentalhealth-uk.org
- Mind: https://www.mind.org.uk
- NHS Mental Health Services: https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/mental-health-services/