World Mental Health day takes this Thursday, October 10th . On this day the goal is to raise awareness for mental health problems. Our awareness of these issues is often raised in a negative light but it is important that we all begin to change our mindset with regard to mental illness. We hear of stress. anxiety & depression everyday but yet there are many people not receiving the proper healthcare to alleviate and cope with these problems.
Recent Coverage of Mental Health Illness
Newspapers, magazines, television and numerous other mediums seem to be rife with articles and features discussing mental health issues affecting our people both old and young. Such problems are thrown around social media networks casually for all to see, exposing younger and more vulnerable people to these problems. Look no further than a recent Twitter spat between two household names in the music and media business. One is American singer and actress and one is an Irish musician, the latter who has suffered with mental health problems before and was mocked publicly by the American for being “Crazy”.
The content of the dialogue between the two artists has put a heavy worldwide focus on mental illnesses. This spat becomes an even more sensitive public topic when you consider how a supposed role model for younger people refers to two previously mentally ill people, one being the Irish musician as being “crazy”. This is not something to laugh at, such a throwaway comment may have damaging repercussions.
In a country like Ireland, where mental health problems are constantly on the rise due to a number of causes, you can see how such comments and careless use of social media might offend and hurt other numerous individuals who may have lived with similar problems. This is just one example of mental illness in the media in the last few days. Who knows, but such an event may even helped to raise awareness although be it in the wrong fashion. Creating further awareness is of great importance to help our people but information should come through the correct mediums and channels.
Mental Health Problems Affecting Our People
Everybody knows somebody who suffers with a mental illness or problem, which can range from stress to anxiety to severe depression.Yet while these issues are often apparent (and also, often not apparent), we as a nation, seem to still hear of missed or ignored cries for help and lack of help for those who need it.
Mental Health Ireland provide 2 simple facts which are very staggering:
One person in every three attending the family doctor has a mental health aspect to the medical problem
Of those who live to 65 – one in nine will spend some time in mental health care
GROW, a worldwide movement depression awareness document how:
1 in every 10 Irish people deal with depression.
The organisation document how there was a four-fold increase in the number of young people who sought help in recent years.
GROW also say that between 2010 and the end of 2012, the number of 18-35 year olds attending to Grow meeting increase from 4% to 17 %.
Michelle Kerrigan, CEO of GROW, had this to say:
“People have the right to recovery and social inclusion but without the right commitment of investment from our government this unfortunately will not be a reality for many of them”
Based on these facts and statements, it can be said that there may be shortcomings in the Irish public health system when it comes to treating those who suffer with various mental health problems. This is especially important to consider with that of more vulnerable groups like our younger people. So this is one of the main reasons why we need to continue to raise public awareness, so as more assistance is provided by the government to those who need it most.
However, this does not mean that there is not treatment available though and seeing somebody in the private sector.
Raising Awareness for Mental Health Problems
GROW will be collecting donations around the streets of the country on October 10th, if you would like to help.
Mental Health Ireland, the largest voluntary organisation involved in supporting positive mental health within our communities, will be marking an event with a number of initiatives happening around the country.
Coffee Culture in association with Mental Health Ireland have launched the Me Time campaign to mark World Mental Health Week and raise awareness of maintaining good mental health. So keep an eye out for the café’s nationwide, helping to raise for this great cause. Check out the café’s involved here to see if there is one near you. Please support these coffee mornings.
If you Do Need Psychological Assistance
If you are having difficulty seeing a psychological professionals in the public sector maybe it is time you considered private healthcare. We can provide the psychological treatment through our team of expert Counselling psychologists who are based in Dublin and Kildare.If you or if a loved one requires treatment please get in touch with us today. Our treatments do not cost a fortune either.
Our experienced professionals provide extremely effective psychotherapy and counselling psychology techniques. We treat a wide range of problems so there is no illness to small or too great for us, our psychologists are trained and experienced to treat everybody, young and old and from all walks of life. We provide specifically tailored treatment plans to each new patient.
