Mental Health Awareness: The Facts

This week, you may have seen on our various social media channels, including Facebook and Twitter that we’ve been spreading awareness of Mental Health Awareness Week and the facts surrounding this. 

Every year the Mental Health Foundation dedicates one week of May to help raise awareness of mental health, this is to help provide people with an understanding of various mental health conditions, how they affect people and how they can be supported.

To round off Mental Health Awareness Week, we thought we’d share with you a roundup of the facts and figures about mental health and how you can look after your mind and body.

The Facts and Figures

Unlike other conditions which are selective of who they attack or affect, mental health conditions do not discriminate. Anyone can experience a mental health condition, whether it be a common or uncommon condition.  

Mental health conditions are a growing public health concern and are prevalent on a worldwide scale. Each mental health condition requires different treatment and many are more common than the majority of people think.

Our top five facts include:

• 1 in 10 young people will experience a mental health condition
• Mixed anxiety and depression is the most common health condition in Britain
• Approximately, 68% of women and 57% of men with mental health issues are parents
• It is estimated that 1 in 6 people in the last week have experienced a common mental health issue
• 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health issue

Look After Yourself

While many mental health conditions require further support, there are certain routinely practices you can adopt to help provide you with an effective escapism or ease the stresses of the day.

Reading:

Books provide us with a form of entertainment and escapism. Whilst many people see the fun, relaxing and de-stressing aspects of reading, many people are unaware that reading has been known to be beneficial to your mental health.

The ‘Reading Well Books on Prescription’ scheme was rolled out in June 2013 and aimed to bring the healing benefits of reading to those with anxiety and depression.

Eating Well:

Food can have a long-lasting effect on your mental health. The brain requires a variety of nutrients in order to stay healthy and functional.

A healthy diet which incorporates all the food groups on a balanced basis is not only a diet that is good for your physical health but a diet that is also good for mental health.

Keep in Touch with Friends and Family

Friends and family can make you feel valued, respected and appreciated. There’s nothing better than catching up with someone face to face and having a good ol’ chat, but sometimes a face to face meet up isn’t always possible – that’s where technology comes in.

Dropping them a line on social media, picking up the phone and calling them or even sending a traditional letter will help you to keep a variety of communication lines open.

Keep Active:

Exercising, whether it be intense exercise or moderate exercise will not only benefit your physical health but will benefit your mental health too.

Regular exercise can boost your self-esteem and can help you concentrate more, sleep better and even feel better.

Better your Day

Mental health is a condition that can affect anyone, but by implementing a few of these activities into your day can make a big difference to both your physical and mental health.

Head on over to our Twitter page @imptraining and share with us what you’ve done to get involved with Mental Health Awareness Week. Don’t forget to use the hashtag #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek