Mental Wellbeing

Anyone of us can face difficult moments in our lives sometimes making it hard to cope with everyday challenges. Young or old it’s important to know there is help and support out there and we are not alone in feeling or facing poor mental health. Feeling under pressure can cause physical stress on our bodies affecting our physical wellbeing also.

A recent global study published in The Lancet Psychiatry co-led by the University of Queensland and Harvard Medical School found that 1 in 2 people will develop a mental health problem in their lifetime. The study analysed data from 29 countries of more than 150,000 people provided by the World Health Organisation’s World Mental Health Survey. The 3 most common mental health disorders among the women in the study were, depression, a specific phobia (identified as a disabling anxiety that interferes with daily life) and post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The 3 most common mental health disorders among the men were identified as alcohol abuse, depression and a specific phobia.

The NHS recommend 5 steps to help improve mental wellbeing

• Connect with other people

• Be physically active

• Learn new skills

• Give to others (could be anything from saying thank you to a small act of kindness)

• Pay attention to the present moment (mindfulness)

NOTE: Opening up to someone you trust, talking about a problem or sharing a worry can help. For some talking to a professional like a GP is beneficial or using a service with trained advisors like The Samaritans or Mind’s info line.