Mental health awareness week occurs every year in May raising awareness of mental health and wellbeing, promoted by the Mental Health Foundation.
This year the topic is Body Image- How we think and feel about our bodies. This is something that can affect everyone- male or female, old and young. The thoughts that we have about our bodies can impact us through out our lives, effecting the way we feel about ourselves and our mental health and wellbeing.
In the last year studies from the Mental Health Foundation of 4,505 UK adults have shown one in five felt shame, just over a third felt down or low and 19% felt disgusted because of their body image. One in eight adults in the UK have experienced suicidal thoughts or feelings because of concerns about their body image.
This isn’t right! Nobody should feel uncomfortable within their own skin. There is no such thing as “the perfect” body. Everybody is unique. Clearly action is needed. We need to promote positive body image and support good mental health and wellbeing.
We can support each other by recognising key signs. You may notice some of the below symptoms in your own behaviour or you may notice some of these in a family member, friend or colleague.
A change in personality. If someone is acting very differently, they may be erratic, or not feeling like them self, they may be acting on impulse. The person may engage in risky behaviours like drinking and using drug.
Anxiety, Anger, or Moodiness. Severe Uncharacteristic changes in a person’s emotion are a cause for alarm, especially if they are persistent.
Isolation. If an individual is withdrawing themselves socially, cancelling social engagements, or spending too much time alone, this is a serious warning sign of emotional or mental health issues.
Lack of Self-Care. People with mental health issues often lose concern over their own health and well-being. You may notice a lack of personal hygiene, or lack of concern with appearance. This may indicate a mental health issue.
A Sense of Hopelessness. Mental health difficulties often cause people to feel overwhelmed and in turn like they want to give up – they may not feel “normal” and that life is too hard.
Getting support for your own mental health
Early recognition that you might have a mental health problem and seeking early support from your employer and health carers usually helps to prevent the problem from getting worse and helps you to make a quick recovery and successful return to work if you have been off sick.
Share health concerns or anxieties with someone you trust can help, whether a family member, friend, colleague or manager. They may help you to tackle your problems, access support services, and reach out to your employer
Where available, you can ask (or your employer may refer you) for support from occupational health. You may have access to counselling or other psychological therapy, for example through an employee assistance programme (EAP) Access to Work and Remploy can help you to overcome the challenges of health conditions and disabilities in work. Your own GP is able to further advise, treat or refer you.
Alternatively, there are a range of charities that can also provide mental health support, including:
- Samaritansare available to anything that is upsetting you, including intrusive thoughts and difficult thoughts of suicide and self-harm ( 116 123,jo@samaritans.org)
- Sanelineoffers emotional support and information (0300 304 7000, sane.org.uk)
- Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM)supports men experiencing distressing thoughts and feelings– 08005 58 58,https://www.thecalmzone.net/
- The Silver Linesupports individuals over the age of 55 by providing information, support and friendship (0800 470 8090)
- Switchboardsupports anyone identifying as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender (0300 330 0630, chris@switchboard.lgbt).
- Mind Infolineprovides information on local mental health support services that can support you (0300 123 3393, email info@mind.org.uk)
- The Helplines Partnershipprovides a directory of all the helplines available in the UK, which you can search to find the best telephone support service for you (https://helplines.org/helplines/)
