Mental Health Awareness Week – How you can help others

Dr Anna Day (HCPC Reg, DClinPsy, PGCert)

Anna is a qualified, HCPC registered, Clinical Psychologist. She worked in the NHS for almost 20 years, helping patients to understand and cope with difficult life events, complex physical health problems, and mental health issues.

As you probably know, this week is Mental Health Awareness Week which is hugely important, not only for those suffering with mental health difficulties, but also for those who aren’t.

Why? Well, because it gets people talking about mental health and the commonality of it, which can help prevent people with mental health difficulties from feeling so isolated and alone – humans are social beings after all. We all want to feel like we belong.

It also helps reduce the stigma around mental health, which can help people to feel less ashamed and less negatively judged by others. Shame is such a tricky emotion that can inflame mental health problems, so reducing it when possible is so important.

Mental health awareness may also encourage people to get the treatment that they need. After all, there are so many evidenced-based therapies and treatments available to people suffering with mental health problems now. The first port of call should be visiting your GP, who should point you in the right direction, or refer you to the appropriate service. Remember to make sure that your doctor or therapist is registered; check the HCPC register for Practitioner psychologists, the GMC register for Medical Doctors, and the UKCP register for Counsellors – this can easily be done online.

And for people without mental health problems, an increased awareness of mental health and treatments may help you to feel more confident and empowered to help those you care about.

Fundamentally, Mental Health Awareness Week encourages us all to acknowledge and engage with the suffering of others, which helps us to develop empathy and compassion for those who need it the most, including ourselves.

Here are some practical tips to help people with mental health difficulties:

1. Check in on them. People suffering with mental health problems may find it difficult to pick up the phone. Make the first move.
2. Listen. Give them space to talk and try to really hear what they are saying, without judgement or immediately trying to solve the problem.
3. Don’t forget the fun stuff! People with mental health difficulties don’t lose their sense of humour or their need for joy. Plan outings, activities, or just have a laugh over a cuppa.
4. Finally, remember to look after yourself too. After all. you can’t help others if you’re burnt out.

If you feel you would like to receive some support for your mental health, please get in touch with us, in strict confidence, by emailing team@drfinlays.co.uk. You can also telephone us, again in confidence, on 0121 396 1323.