Hi, I’m Ash – you know… that always happy, enthusiastic, and full of energy work colleague? Yup, that’s me…. And I suffer from depression and anxiety. But I’m not the only one! Did you know that 1 in 6 people experienced a common mental health problem within the last week (Finder, 2021)? And since lockdown, the percentage of adults experiencing depressive symptoms has risen from 10% to 21% – that’s 1 in 5 adults (ONS, 2021). Mental health is more common than we think, yet this is a topic we don’t discuss very often – especially in the workplace.

Since opening up and acknowledging my own struggles to those close to me a few years back, I have been able to take some important and personal steps that have helped me to manage and treat my mental health. Yet, for many years, I let myself struggle through this. Talking with friends and family, meeting regularly with a therapist, going on medication, exercising and mindfulness have been just some of the methods that have helped me get to where I am today.  Sure, I still have my ups and downs, but that’s ok.

So, why is World Mental Health Day so important? World Mental Health Day encourages us to create these open forums and have those open discussions, helping us to be more inclusive and feel more understood. Such conversations can be that first step in seeking support and treatment for those – like me three years ago – who may be letting themselves struggle more than they have to.

Mental health isn’t the same for everyone, just as not one person is the same. Treatment and management can vary but one thing we can all do together is have these open conversations and support one another. So, let’s start there – ‘Mental health care for all: let’s make it a reality’!

#WorldMentalHealthDay

Resources:

If you require urgent mental health help, always call the NHS right away on 111.

If you just want to talk to someone about your mental health, you can contact:

  • Samaritans
    Phone: 116 123
    Email: jo@samaritans.org
  • Shout Crisis Text Line
    Text: “SHOUT” to 85258

Find out more about World Mental Health Day

Visit MIND for mental health information and support

Our Health Data Research Hub for Mental Health Informatics Research Development, DATA-MIND, is making the best use of the UK’s rich mental health data by enabling coordinated research with the ultimate aim of improving people’s lives.

Find out more about DATAMIND