starting here with education and tackling the stigma as ignorance is often at the heart of stigma. Schizophrenia does not mean someone is dangerous, bi-polar disorder does not mean someone is up and down every day, anorexia and bulimia are not just about someone’s relationship with food and personality disorder is not an attention seeker. It would be great when you next have a talk at work or attend a community event on mental health you ask about schizophrenia, bi-polar disorders, eating disorders and personality disorders and be leaders in the change of this stigma.
Early intervention and appropriate treatment and support can be crucial in both preventing mental health problems from becoming more severe and the risk of other problems developing from it. My own experience highlights this, when a childhood mental health problem went untreated and developed into more distressing symptoms which led me to seek self-medication and a pathway to another problem. That was thirty years ago, and I believe the stigma about mental health problems is getting better and hopefully making it a bit easier to reach out for help. Stigma is still an issue though and one of the biggest barriers to getting help. I have no problem today talking about my experiences and who I have seen, therapies and medication I’ve had and the times I’ve been unwell. But this was not always the case and I understand how difficult that first step to getting help can be. If in a rational healthy state of mind we ask ourselves honestly, how easy or difficult it would be to go to our GP and say ‘I’m struggling with my
mental health’, I’d suggest most people would say it wouldn’t be easy. This is why some people go to their doctors and complain about a number of physically ailments when the real issue is, they are not coping. Saying we have a mental health difficulty should be on par with speaking about a physical problem, but often this is not the case. Men have difficulty in speaking about their feelings and their mental health and the suicide rates of men are almost four to one to women in the UK. We need to make speaking about what is going on in our heads simple and normal, and to understand that we don’t have to try and sort everything out ourselves, talking it out and asking for help is courageous and insightful.
Employers are now understanding their role in supporting their staff’s mental health and the benefit for the staff, employer and business in doing this. Authenticity is the key here and if the employee feels their employer is genuinely supportive of their mental health and any difficulties they may experience, the individual may seek help sooner and have less time away from work or have periods of presenteeism. The more the management team and the rest of the staff understand their own mental health can really help with their organisation being authentic as a supportive mental health environment. Mind Jersey were fantastic some years ago when I became mentally unwell. From the trustees on the board, our Chief Executive and colleagues in the office they made themselves available and offered their support in a non- judgemental fashion that helped me to
access the appropriate treatment and return to work at a helpful time in my recovery. In the same way we would respond to a colleague with a physical illness or hospital stay, with interest, concern and empathy, the same should happen for mental illness.
As the number of people experiencing a mental health problem continues to rise with Depression being the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide it would be wonderful if Jersey could be an example of timely intervention, well-funded and resourced mental health services with evidence based outcomes for treatment, an Island of well informed and supportive communities on mental health and mental illness and employers who are keen to support their staff with their mental health and open up opportunities for those who struggle with their mental health. My vision has long been this happening. My experience has been of an Island that does care, services that work, employers that have been supportive, but I’ve also seen and learned that this is not consistent for everyone and that people have been let down and suffered as a result.
Let’s start today in making Jersey a mentally healthy environment for all, learn about our own mental health and use this knowledge to have empathy for others, learn what we have available locally to support and treat mental health problems and don’t be afraid to say what you see if you have concerns about someone. Mental Health is all our business and we all have a role to play!
With our unique custom-designed clothing & accessories, you can share your beliefs with the world!
Everyone has a voice and at Wear Your Belief, we want your voice to be heard!
We strive to provide a voice for you all and give you the tools to actively and creatively advocate your opinion. So whatever you believe in, we are here for you. With our unique custom-designed clothing & accessories, you can share your beliefs with the world!
JOSH RICHARDSON Havard House, 5-7 Great Union Road, St Helier, Jersey, JE2 3YA M: 07797 831006 /// E:
info@wearyourbelief.com W:
www.wearyourbelief.com ///
josh@wearyourbelief.com /// F:
www.facebook.com/wearyourbeliefonline /// I:
www.instagram.com/wearyourbelief_ 20/20 - Mental Health Page 29
Page 1 |
Page 2 |
Page 3 |
Page 4 |
Page 5 |
Page 6 |
Page 7 |
Page 8 |
Page 9 |
Page 10 |
Page 11 |
Page 12 |
Page 13 |
Page 14 |
Page 15 |
Page 16 |
Page 17 |
Page 18 |
Page 19 |
Page 20 |
Page 21 |
Page 22 |
Page 23 |
Page 24 |
Page 25 |
Page 26 |
Page 27 |
Page 28 |
Page 29 |
Page 30 |
Page 31 |
Page 32 |
Page 33 |
Page 34 |
Page 35 |
Page 36 |
Page 37 |
Page 38 |
Page 39 |
Page 40 |
Page 41 |
Page 42 |
Page 43 |
Page 44 |
Page 45 |
Page 46 |
Page 47 |
Page 48 |
Page 49 |
Page 50 |
Page 51 |
Page 52 |
Page 53 |
Page 54 |
Page 55 |
Page 56 |
Page 57 |
Page 58 |
Page 59 |
Page 60 |
Page 61 |
Page 62 |
Page 63 |
Page 64 |
Page 65 |
Page 66 |
Page 67 |
Page 68 |
Page 69 |
Page 70 |
Page 71 |
Page 72 |
Page 73 |
Page 74 |
Page 75 |
Page 76 |
Page 77 |
Page 78 |
Page 79 |
Page 80 |
Page 81 |
Page 82 |
Page 83 |
Page 84 |
Page 85 |
Page 86 |
Page 87 |
Page 88 |
Page 89 |
Page 90 |
Page 91 |
Page 92 |
Page 93 |
Page 94 |
Page 95 |
Page 96 |
Page 97 |
Page 98 |
Page 99 |
Page 100 |
Page 101 |
Page 102 |
Page 103 |
Page 104 |
Page 105 |
Page 106 |
Page 107 |
Page 108 |
Page 109 |
Page 110 |
Page 111 |
Page 112 |
Page 113 |
Page 114 |
Page 115 |
Page 116
