07.10.19
Pioneering mental health platform launched by NHS and PHE
Public Health England (PHE) have launched the Every Mind Matters campaign in collaboration with the NHS to help people with mental health issues, provide support and promote wellbeing.
PHE (Monday 7 October) launched Every Mind Matters following a survey outlining that more than eight in ten people (83%) have experienced poor mental health.
Early signs include feeling anxious, stressed, low moods or poor sleeping patters. Dealt with well, these symptoms can be managed and controlled as a natural reaction to life’s challenges.
However, many people wait too long and don’t seek help for the way they are feeling. The survey showed that over a quarter (27%) of people have waited at least six months before taking action to improve their mental health.
It also highlighted that nearly six in ten (57%) people going through a difficult time turned to unhealthy behaviours such as smoking, drinking alcohol, unhealthy eating or taking recreational drugs.
Every Mind Matters aims to provide the simple steps they can take to be better prepared for life’s ups and downs. The new measure, which has been endorsed by the Royal College of General Practitioners (RGCP), will equip people with the tools to help themselves with a personalised self-care plan as a way to feel in control and deal with these problems at the root.
This new plan is available for the public and will be advised by GPs. The NHS will also promote Every Mind Matters to its one-million plus workforce.
Health Secretary Matt Hancock said:
“Our health - both mental and physical - is an asset that needs to be nurtured. We’re all aware of the benefits of looking after our physical health and the steps we can take to keep ourselves healthy, but many of us are not as knowledgeable or proactive as we could be when it comes to our mental health.
“Every Mind Matters will benefit us all with an accessible tool to help manage our wellbeing at the click of a button. It will offer vital support to those living with a mental health condition and give each of us valuable and personalised tips on how to better cope with life’s daily struggles, while contributing to tackling the stigma that can still surround mental health.”
A wealth of high-profile celebrities has been involved in a film, written by Richard Curtis, to promote the campaign and spread awareness.
The campaign champions breathing control, physical activity, working on positive relationships and other small-scale steps that can be taken to help yourself move past a dark period.
Every Mind Matters is backed by a coalition of mental health charities and champions, including Mind, Mental Health Foundation, MHFA England, Samaritans, Heads Together, Centre for Mental Health, Rethink, Time to Change, NSUN, What Works Centre for Wellbeing and Good Thinking.
Duncan Selbie, chief executive of Public Health England, said:
“Our health is affected by our circumstances, including having a job, friends and a roof over our heads. Anxiety, stress, low mood and trouble sleeping can affect everyone. Every Mind Matters aims to help people to better handle life’s ups and downs.”