How fundamental is our mental health? We look at the ways in which our mental health affects our day to day lives, and where to turn for support.

By Erin O’Connor

The conversation around mental health, what it is and why we need to take care of it has grown exponentially in the past 5 years or so which is fantastic. However, for many it still seems like a very conceptual thing, and often we need to see statistics to fully understand how prevalent something is, and what we can do to support our friends, family and loved ones.

Here are 5 important statistics on mental health that you should know:

1. 74% of people have felt so stressed they have been overwhelmed or unable to cope

We live in a society that applauds being busy, that favours ‘doing’ over ‘being’. While work is without a doubt important and necessary for our society to grow and improve, we are putting immense levels of stress on ourselves to be constantly achieving, and oftentimes living up to somebody else’s expectation of what ‘successful’ is. 

While there is no definitive 2020 statistic on stress levels, with everything that this year has thrown our way, we need to pay extra attention to how we are coping, statistics like these help us to realise the importance of letting go of guilt and realising that there is nothing normal about the current circumstances but, even if this were a regular day in a different year there is absolutely no shame in asking for help.

2. 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England

With 25% of our population reportedly experiencing a mental health issue each year, this highlights just how important it is for us to work to shift the way we perceive it and how we live our lives. While there are many factors that can contribute to mental health problems, Let’s reach out more, support those around us and ask for help when we need it.

3. 80% of people living with mental illness say the current crisis has made their mental health worse

Lockdown and the pandemic has not been easy for any one of us, and it has really tested our mental resilience. So it is unfortunately no surprise that around 80% of adults living with an existing mental illness have felt their mental health worsen during this time. If you have felt this way, the first thing to know is that you are not alone. It’s been an incredibly tough time, many of us losing jobs, taking pay cuts, isolated in our homes just to name a few of the challenges. Make sure you’re taking time to check in with yourself, and your loved ones.

4. 1 in 15 people will attempt suicide in their lifetime

This statistic is staggering and tragic.  Suicidal thoughts and self-harm aren’t mental health diagnoses. But they are related to mental health. We shouldn’t have to lose so many to mental illness, and yet if nothing changes we fear this number may increase.

But what can we do to help? If you know anyone who has or may be struggling with suicidal thoughts, point them in the direction of mental health professionals such as The Samaritans, or if you need further advice on how to help people close to you or need to speak to someone, please find support at fantastic charities like mind.org.

“Let’s start the conversation around mental health with our loved ones, friends and family. Education is empowerment.” 

5. Over a third of the UK public think that people with a mental health issue are likely to be violent.

There is clearly a need to educate on how common and prevalent mental health issues are, and how not all issues are likely to be violent. Misconceptions like these can result in stigmas being attached to mental health, which unfortunately has a marginalising effect for those who are suffering mental health issues. 

The first step to learning and understanding is starting the conversation. Let’s start the conversation around mental health with our loved ones, friends and family. Education is empowerment. The next step is replacing stigma with support.

Where to get support?

To read more about mental health and to find great resources, whether for yourself or if you want to better support someone else, here’s a non-exhaustive list of UK based chairities to reach out to for support.

Mental Health Foundation

Since 1949, the Mental Health Foundation has been the UK’s leading charity for everyone’s mental health. With prevention at the heart of what they do, they aim to find and address the sources of mental health problems so that people and communities can thrive. 

mentalhealth.org.uk

Mind.org

Founded in 1946, Mind is a mental health charity in England and Wales. Mind offers information and advice to people with mental health problems and lobbies government and local authorities on their behalf. It also works to raise public awareness and understanding of issues relating to mental health.

mind.org

Samaritans

Samaritans is a registered charity aimed at providing emotional support to anyone in emotional distress, struggling to cope, or at risk of suicide throughout the United Kingdom and Ireland.

samaritans.org

Young Minds

YoungMinds is the UK’s leading charity committed to improving the emotional wellbeing and mental health of children and young people. They campaign, research and influence policy and practice. Young Minds also provide expert knowledge to professionals, parents and young people through our Parents’ Helpline, online resources, training and development, outreach work and publications

youngminds.org.uk

Article references:

(1) uk wide stress survey at mentalhealth.org.uk (2) McManus, S., Meltzer, H., Brugha, T. S., Bebbington, P. E., & Jenkins, R. (2009). Adult psychiatric morbidity in England, 2007: results of a household survey, mind.orgMcManus, S., Meltzer, H., Brugha, T. S., Bebbington, P. E., & Jenkins, R. (2009). Adult psychiatric morbidity in England, 2007: results of a household survey, mind.org (3) aporil 2020, survey at rethink.org (4) published july 2020, at mind.org (5) survey at mhfaengland.org

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