Mental Health Stigma and Facts

I suffer with mental illnesses myself and I have experience with the stigma surrounding mental health issues first hand... We have stigma surrounding this topic because not everyone understands mental health, so they may say things such as "they do it for attention" etc... This is why we need to raise awareness and explain mental illnesses so that the stigma will diminish (not last).

We can raise awareness by raising money for charities such as MIND and Samaritans. these charities help people with mental health issues. We can raise money by organising walks and other activites.

The stigma is extremely damaging to the people suffering with mental illnesses, this stigma may cause people to isolate themselves and think they can't ask for help. The stigma combined with the isolation can cause people to hurt themselves or others (physically or emotionally) and it can even add up to suicide.

There are more than 200 clasified forms of mental illnesses but some of the most common are: clinical depression,bipolar disorder, dementia, schizophrenia and anxiety disorder. Each illness is different and how they affect each person is different.

Suicide is the most commoncause of death in men aged between 20 - 49 yearsof age and retired men. It is also higherin farmers and dentists etc. Mental health problems are extremely common as 1 in 6 people suffer with common mental health problems. Since 2000 there has been an increase in the proportion of women with symptoms of common mental health issues. Nearly half of all adults think they have a diagnosable mental health condition, 13% of adults were found to be recieving treatment for a mental illness.

In a survey conducted in 2017, 5821 suicides were reported in Great Britain. 75% were male and 25% were female. Males are less likely to ask for help as they may think they are supposed tobe tough because of the stereotypes in society.

If you or anyone you know are or thinkyou may be suffering with a mental illness ASK FOR HELP because bottling things up will make it worse and a problem shared is a problem halved... The following is a list of charities you can contact for help.

- Childline

0800 1111

https://www.childline.org.uk/get-support/1-2-1-counsellor-chat/

- Samaritans

mobile - 116123

https://www.samaritans.org/

- Support line

mobile - 02085549004

- Young Minds

mobile - 0808 8025544

- Beat (Eating Disorder Charity)

Helpline - 0808 801 0677

https://www.beateatingdisorders.org.uk/

There are many more online...

REMEMBER: you can always contact me either on here or on one of my social media accounts -

- Snapchat - kiragwatkin756

- Instagram - @kira_gwatkin

- FaceBook page - Freedom

- Twitter - @Kira_Gwakin

Thank You for reading and remember to look after yourself x