Mental Health Week

Taking Steps Towards a Healthier Mind With Resilience and Hope

Mental Health Week is an annual event that brings attention to the importance of mental health and its impact on our daily lives. Mental health is essential to overall health, yet it is often overlooked and stigmatised.

Resilience mentoring will bring you an article every day this week that focuses on an element of Mental Health. Today's Mental Health Week theme is 'Hope and Resilience', where we focus on building resilience and finding hope, particularly during challenging times.

In this article, we will explore the significance of Mental Health Week and share insights from experts and personal stories to help raise awareness about mental health.

The Importance of Mental Health Week

Mental Health Week is essential because it draws attention to mental health and promotes awareness of mental illness. One in four people globally experience mental illness at some point, making it a global public health issue. The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated mental health concerns, including anxiety, depression, and stress, making this year's Mental Health Week more critical.

According to the World Health Organization (WHO), half of all mental health conditions develop by age 14, with 75% of these cases going untreated. Mental Health Week aims to raise awareness and promote early intervention to improve outcomes for individuals living with mental illness.

Why Mental Health Week is Important for Worldwide Awareness

Share your story of resilience and hope on our Facebook Resilence Hub group page.

Mental health is a global issue that affects people of all ages, backgrounds, and cultures. Mental health conditions can cause significant suffering and impair people's ability to work, study, and participate in social activities.

Mental Health Week also provides a platform for sharing personal stories and experiences. Hearing from individuals who have lived with mental illness can help reduce stigma and show that recovery is possible. It can also encourage others to seek help and support for their mental health challenges.

Mental health affects not only individuals but also society as a whole. Here are some statistics that illustrate the impact of mental health on society worldwide:

Depression is the leading cause of disability worldwide, affecting over 300 million people.
Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15-29-year-olds globally.
Mental illness costs the global economy an estimated $1 trillion in lost productivity yearly.
The World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that one in four people globally will experience a mental health condition in their lifetime. (People with mental disabilities cannot be forgotten - WHO.)
And of those people with a recognised mental health condition, only a quarter will receive the necessary treatment.

These statistics highlight the urgent need for increased awareness, support, and resources for mental health. Mental Health Week highlights investing in mental health services and resources. Mental illness has a significant economic impact, with an estimated $1 trillion globally in lost productivity and healthcare costs. By prioritising mental health, governments and organisations can help reduce the burden of mental illness on individuals and society as a whole.

Why Mental Health Week is Important in the UK

The following statistics highlight the importance of raising awareness and addressing mental health challenges in the UK.

Mental illness is the leading cause of sickness absence in the UK, with 17.9 million working days lost yearly due to stress, anxiety, depression, and other mental health conditions.
One in four people in the UK will experience a mental health problem in any given year.
Suicide is the leading cause of death for men under 50 in the UK.
Mental health problems are more common in women than men, with 20.5% of women experiencing a common mental health disorder compared to 12.2% of men.
Young people are particularly vulnerable to mental health problems, with 1 in 6 in the UK experiencing a common mental health disorder such as anxiety or depression.
People from black and minority ethnic (BAME) backgrounds in the UK are more likely to experience mental health problems than the general population but less likely to access mental health services.
50% of mental health problems show by age 14 and 75% by age 24.

By prioritising mental health and seeking support when needed, individuals can work towards better mental health outcomes and help end the stigma surrounding mental illness.

Personal Stories: Overcoming Mental Health Challenges

Sharing personal stories can help reduce the stigma around mental health and inspire others to seek help. One such story is that of Maya, a university student who struggled with anxiety and depression. She felt overwhelmed and isolated, and her grades suffered. She eventually contacted the university's counselling services, which helped her find coping mechanisms to manage her mental health. Maya's story shows that seeking help can make a significant difference in addressing mental health challenges.

Another story is that of John, a construction worker who suffered a severe injury on the job, which left him with chronic pain and unable to work. He began to experience depression and anxiety due to financial struggles and social isolation. John eventually sought help from a therapist who provided him with tools to manage his pain and mental health. John's story shows that seeking help and support can lead to positive outcomes, even during difficult times.

Expert Insights: Building Resilience and Finding Hope

Building resilience and finding hope are the critical components we are focussing on today of Mental Health Week's theme and C. R. Snyder's article, Hope Theory: Rainbows in the Mind, describes 'hope' as "the perceived capability to derive pathways to desired goals, and motivate oneself via agency thinking to use those pathways."

In the article by A. Westwood, N. Langerak N, and G Fieggen, 'Transition from child-to adult-orientated care for children with long-term health conditions', it states that "adapting resilience is not just the ability to bounce back from adversity but the process of adapting." The findings highlight how to rely on the various types of support (social networks, professionals and welfare). And how this support makes a crucial difference in family resilience and coping strategies.

Lucy C. Hone, PhD, a leader in the field of resilience psychology, an adjunct senior fellow at the University of Canterbury and an internationally sought-after professional speaker, best-selling author, and award-winning academic researcher, has a gift for turning complex science into useable tools. After tragic circumstances forced her to focus more closely on grief, Lucy delivers a powerful Ted Talk in the video below:

Dr Lucy Hone is now a director of the New Zealand Institute of Well-being & Resilience. Lucy's academic training and professional practice have helped her design and implement well-being initiatives that create meaningful change for various organisations, from primary schools to leading law firms. In the UK, you can purchase Resilient Grieving by Lucy Hone at:

Naz Beheshti, an executive wellness coach and consultant, said, "Building resilience is like making regular deposits into a rainy day fund. The bigger our reserves, the better we will be able to withstand future adversity."

Dr Harold Koenig, Director of the Center for Spirituality, Theology, and Health at Duke University, emphasises the importance of hope for mental health. He states, "Hope gives us something to look forward to and a reason to get up in the morning." He suggests that hope can be cultivated through prayer, meditation, and gratitude practices.

Michelle Obama uttered some powerful words during the Change Direction Campaign in 2015. "Whether an illness affects your heart, your leg or your brain, it's still an illness, and there should be no distinction." The First Lady remarked that it was "time to flip the script" on mental health and "tell everyone dealing with a mental health issue that they're not alone and that getting support and treatment isn't a sign of weakness; it's a sign of strength."

The Duke of Cambridge joined the Mental Health Matters panel at the World Economic Forum Annual Meeting in Davos in January 2019. "There still are so many people who are suffering in silence. And there's still this stigma attached to mental health, which we've got to completely obliterate."

Practical Tips: Taking Care of Your Mental Health

Here are some valuable tips for taking care of your mental health:

Practice self-care: Make time for activities that bring you joy.
Stay connected: Maintain social connections with friends and family, even if it's through virtual means.
Join the Resilience Mentoring Hub for community support...
Exercise: Regular exercise is beneficial for both physical and mental health. Aim for at least 30 minutes of moderate-intensity exercise most days of the week.
Prioritise sleep: Getting enough sleep is essential for good mental health. Aim for 7-9 hours of sleep per night.
Seek professional help: If you're struggling with your mental health, don't hesitate to seek help from a mental health professional.

Mental Health Week Support

Mental health week is a focussed week out of 52 in the year. However, it is essential to note that mental health support is obtainable throughout the year. And sometimes, charities and organisations make their services available 24/7.

There are several resources available for individuals seeking support for their mental health. Some of the more well-known options include:

National Alliance on Mental Illness (NAMI): NAMI provides education, support, and advocacy for individuals with mental illness and their families.
US Crisis Text Line: Crisis Text Line is a free, 24/7 text-based support service for individuals in crisis. Text HOME to 741741.
Mental Health America: Mental Health America provides resources and support for individuals with mental illness.
American Psychological Association (APA): The APA provides resources for individuals seeking mental health treatment, including a directory of licensed psychologists.
Mind UK: Mind provides information, support, and advocacy for individuals living with mental health problems in the UK.
Samaritans: Samaritans is a free, 24/7 support service for individuals in crisis. You can contact them by phone, email, or text message.
Rethink Mental Illness: Rethink Mental Illness provides support and advice for individuals living with mental illness and their families in the UK.
NHS Mental Health Services: The UK's National Health Service (NHS) provides various mental health services, including counselling and therapy.
Rise & Thrive Resilience Mentoring Newsletter: Rise & Thrive is a free monthly newsletter that provides resources and support for building resilience and managing mental health challenges. It's available to individuals in the UK and worldwide.

Take Action for Mental Health Week...

Mental Health Week is a crucial opportunity to raise awareness about mental health. We can all work towards better mental health outcomes by caring for ourselves and seeking support when needed. We can all take action by sharing our stories to help reduce the shame surrounding mental health and encourage others to seek guidance and help when needed.

Mental health is an essential aspect of overall health, and Mental Health Week serves as a reminder of its importance. Building resilience and finding hope are vital components of managing mental health challenges.

Take Action and get 'Rise & Thrive', a free monthly resilience mentoring newsletter, with practical tips and insights from mental health experts to help you build resilience and thrive:

Remember, seeking support when struggling with your mental health is essential.

Don't hesitate to reach out to these resources or others that are available to you.

Let's work towards better mental health outcomes together.