Why We Need to Talk About the Mental Health Crisis

When we hear the word ‘health crisis’, we often think about the pandemic or physical illnesses like cancer or diabetes. Mental health is a pandemic in its own right. After decades of brushing mental health issues under the rug, we’re finally starting to look at mental health as being on a par with physical health. Life can be tough, and you never know what someone else is going through. 1 in 4 people will experience mental health problems every year in England. Just this week, 1 in 6 people will experience a mental health problem.

                               

We’re taking a look at the mental health crisis in the UK to show you why we need to be talking about mental health – now more than ever.

 

Mental health conditions

When we’re looking at statistics about mental health, it’s difficult to paint an accurate picture. There are dozens of different mental health conditions, and it’s often a ‘hidden’ illness that people do not talk about often due to the stigma associated with them.

 

Anxiety is one mental health issue that is on the rise in the UK. In 2013, there were over 8.2 million anxiety cases in the UK, with women being twice as likely to be diagnosed as men. Just this month, therapists have reported a significant increase in cases of anxiety in England as a result of the pandemic. 

 

Depression is another treatable mental health condition, especially if detected early. At the start of 2021, 1 in 5 adults was experiencing some form of depression. This statistic is more than double what it was before the pandemic hit. 4 in 10 women aged 16 to 29 have experienced depressive symptoms in the first 3 months of 2021.

 

Mental health and children

One group of people who we often overlook are children. 50% of mental health problems are established by the time a person turns 14. This statistic jumps to 75% by the age of 24. If we want to tackle mental health issues, we need to focus on the next generation. 

 

While 10% of those aged 5-16 years have a mental health condition that is clinically diagnosable, while 70% of children who have mental health problems don’t receive the intervention they need for appropriate treatment.

 

Doctor A Cosmetics is a skincare brand on a mission to change the world for the next generation. At Doctor A cosmetics we want to help de-stigmatise mental health. It is incredibly important that we talk about it and not marginalized individuals who are suffering or in need of help. As an eco-friendly, clean, give back skincare brand, our social conscious drives everything we do, from encouraging diversity within the beauty industry to supporting social campaigns through our charity partners.  At Doctor A cosmetics we strive for a more inclusive society. Mental health is one of the main campaigns that we support, in partnership with our sister charity, Anika Food Charity (Registration no: 1180069).

 

Mental health is just as important as your physical health. If you need support, speak to someone. You are loved and cared for. The world is a better place with you in it. You can contact the NHS urgent mental health helplines in England that offer 24-hour advice and support for you or if you’re concerned about a loved one.

 

You can contact Samaritans on 116 123 within the UK and Ireland, with the helpline available 24/7. If you can’t talk, text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258. You will never be wasting anyone’s time. They are there to help you.

 

Helplines to contact:

 

Samaritans

 

Samaritans are available twenty fours hours a day, all year round. You can call 116 123 (free from any phone), email jo@samaritans.org or visit some branches in person. You can also call the Samaritans Welsh Language Line on 0808 164 0123 (7pm–11pm every day).

SANEline

If you're experiencing a mental health problem or supporting someone else, you can call SANEline on 0300 304 7000 (4.30pm–10.30pm every day).

Under 25’s

The Mix

You can call The Mix on 0808 808 4994 (Sunday-Friday 2pm–11pm), request support by email using this form on The Mix website or use their crisis text messenger service.

Under 35’s

Papyrus HOPELINE UK

 If you're under 35 and struggling with suicidal feelings, or concerned about a young person who might be struggling, you can call Papyrus HOPELINEUK on 0800 068 4141 (weekdays 10am-10pm, weekends 2pm-10pm and bank holidays 2pm–10pm), email pat@papyrus-uk.org or text 07786 209 697.

For Males

CALM

Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM). If you identify as male, you can call the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) or use their webchat service.

For Students

Nightline

If you are a student, you can look on the Nightline website to see if your university or college offers a night-time listening service. Nightline phone operators are all students too.

For LGBT+

Switchboard

 If you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, you can call Switchboard on 0300 330 0630 (10am–10pm every day), email chris@switchboard.lgbt or use their webchat service. Phone operators all identify as LGBT+.

Wales

C.A.L.L.

 If you live in Wales, you can call the Community Advice and Listening Line (C.A.L.L.) on 0800 132 737 (open 24/7) or you can text 'help' followed by a question to 81066.

 


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