World Mental Health Day 2021

Posted on: 8 October 2021 in Blog posts

World Mental Health Day 2021

The World Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day on 10 October every year.

This year's theme set by the World Federation for Mental Health is 'Mental Health in an Unequal World'. "This theme was chosen by a global vote including WFMH members, stakeholders and supporters because the world is increasingly polarized, with the very wealthy becoming wealthier, and the number of people living in poverty still far too high. 2020 highlighted inequalities due to race and ethnicity, sexual orientation and gender identity, and the lack of respect for human rights in many countries, including for people living with mental health conditions. Such inequalities have an impact on people’s mental health." - (Professor Gabriel Ivbijaro MBE JP - WFMH Secretary General)

 

Mental Health....did you know?

 

Race and Mental Health

  • Almost one in two of BAME employees experienced poor mental health, highlighting work as a contributing factor. (BITC 2019)

    Further information and support - Visit Mary Seacole House

 

LGBT+ Mental Health

  • LGBT+ people are particularly likely (four in five) to have experienced poor mental health at work. (BITC 2019)

        Further information and support - Visit Mind OUT

 

Men’s Mental Health

  • 3/4’s of all suicides are by men, with suicide the biggest killer of men under 49 years of age.

       Further information and support - Visit Campaign against living miserably (CALM) 

 

Women’s Mental Health 

  • Women are more likely to experience some form of depression - particularly women aged 16-29 years. (ONS 2021)

      Further information and support - Visit Women’s health and information centre (WHISC) 

 

Physical Disabilities and Mental Health

  • Physically disabled people are almost twice as likely to report experiencing anxiety than nondisabled people. (ONS 2019)

     Further information and support - Visit Mental Health Foundation 

 

For more information and resources visit here. 

 Mental Wellbeing

Top Tips for good Mental Health

Mental Health First Aider and Digital Communication Offficer for the School of EEECS Andrea Bainbridge gives some top tips for helping with good mental health.

  • Take a break - It is always ok to take a break and have some 'me' time. This can mean being active some for people, or doing absolutely nothing for others. Read a book, watch a good film or just catch up on some sleep. 
  • Breathe - I practice yoga and meditation regularly, and find this helps me so much when I'm feeling stressed.
  • Eat well - Your brain needs all the good nutrients to stay healthy, so try to eat a balanced diet and drink lots of water. Nothing wrong with some junk food once in a while, but I always feel better when I have had fruit and veg too.
  • Keep active - Staying fit and doing exercise can be really beneficial for good mental health. Exercising helps with sleep which helps your brain, but it can also help your self-confidence! Not everyone likes the gym or doing sport, but even going for a walk or doing some housework will do. 
  • Talk about your feelings - It might be hard to do sometimes, and for some it is easier to keep things bottled up, but do try to speak to someone about how you feel. Just being listened to can help you feel less alone and supported. Once you start it gets easier and really helps.
  • Ask for help - If you are struglling, ask someone for help. There is always someone who will be there to give advice and support. Go to your GP and they might be able to refer you to a counsellor. 

 

Websites, online help and apps

  • Time to Change - a national website which includes resources, tips and information on tackling stigma at work and in wider society as well as how to support others to talk about their mental health.
  • The Mental Health at Work website contains a wide catalogue of training, information and resources to help raise awareness of mental health at work, tackle stigma and support your own mental health. The majority of resources are free to access and download.
  • The Five-a-Day Framework helps us to reimagine our working practices so that we can reach our full potential and thrive at work. The five elements of the framework help promote and enable positive habits to enhance personal mental health and wellbeing.
  • Visit the Online Self-help area.
  • Visit Ten Percent Happier for practical, actionable ways of coping with stress, fear, and anxiety. 
  • Discover Moodzone - explains what low mood and depression, stress, anger, anxiety and panic are and points you towards information on getting help and things you can do.

 

Charities