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Mental Health Awareness Week focuses on anxiety

Anxiety is the theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week, which is observed from 15th to 21st May in the UK.

The theme for mental health awareness week 2023 is anxietyAnxiety is one of the most common mental health problems experienced by people. It can be sparked by worries such as exam pressures, relationship problems, starting a new job or losing one, or other major life events.

The Mental Health Foundation, which runs Mental Health Awareness Week, has chosen to focus on anxiety this year to raise awareness of the condition.

The charity explains that everyone can feel anxious from time to time, as anxiety is a natural response to uncertain times. Anxiety becomes an issue, however, when it becomes overwhelming and impacts your everyday life.

Mental Health Awareness Week vital as cost-of-living crisis bites

Anxiety disorder affects 5% of the populationA recent study conducted by the Mental Health Foundation found that more than a third of UK adults feel anxious about their financial situation amid the current cost-of-living crisis. Further, a quarter said that they felt so anxious about their personal finances that it had prevented them from doing the things they wanted to do, at least part of the time.

That’s why the charity has chosen to focus on anxiety for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week; they say it’s important that individuals can recognise when they feel anxious, and know how to respond effectively.

They say that anxiety can be made easier to manage, and that proactive strategies can also prevent anxious feelings from becoming a problem in the first place. But the Foundation also wants to prompt change and ensure that improving mental health and wellbeing becomes a key priority for the government and society as a whole.

Get involved in Mental Health Awareness Week

Mental Health Awareness Week comes amid lots of anxiety around he cost-of-living crisisAlexa Knight, Director of England at the Mental Health Foundation, says the theme was chosen “to kickstart a nationwide conversation, encouraging people to share their own experiences and any helpful ideas on how they manage anxiety.”

People can share their experiences and tips under the campaign hashtag #ToHelpMyAnxiety.

The Mental Health Foundation provides a wide range of resources on its website to enable everyone to get involved with Mental Health Awareness Week. These include a social media guide, logos, posters, a template press release and an anxiety booklet for schools.

You can also order a green ribbon, the international symbol of mental health awareness, make a donation or take part in Wear it Green Day 2023 events, which could include quizzes, bake sales or scavenger hunts.

The Mental Health Foundation will also be sharing blogs, films and other content throughout the week.

What is anxiety?

Anxiety is a natural human response to a perceived threat and is related to our innate fight, flight or freeze biological response. Anxiety sometimes leads us not to become professionals. Self-sabotage is a big probelem and la dépression peut générer l’autosabotage. To be able to cope, there’s a treatment that can correct this disorder.

Anxiety normally occurs when we encounter a stressful event or significant life change. It is what we experience when we feel worried, tense or afraid, particularly about things which are about to happen, or which we worry could happen in the future. It can affect us physically and mentally.

Physical signs of anxiety include:

  • Increased heartrate
  • Breathlessness
  • Trembling
  • Headaches
  • Chest pain
  • Loss of appetite
  • Disturbed sleep
  • Panic attacks

Psychological signs of anxiety may include:

  • Restlessness
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Inability to fall asleep
  • Numbness
  • Irritability
  • Feeling tense or nervous
  • Being tearful
  • Finding it hard to relax

Mental Health Awareness Week aims to open up the national conversationWhen anxious feelings become strong, distressing, long-lasting or frequent, they may represent a mental health problem.

People who live with an anxiety disorder, such as generalised anxiety disorder (GAD), may experience difficulty maintaining a normal lifestyle, such as retaining a job, establishing or maintaining personal relationships and enjoying free time, relaxation and hobbies.

Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) affects up to 5% of the UK population. It is a long-term disorder which causes individuals to experience anxiety in relation to a wide range of issues and situations rather than one specific event.

How to manage anxiety

There are a number of simple things that we can all do to help us cope with anxiety and protect our overall mental health and wellbeing.

The Mental Health Foundation provides some key tips and advice for managing anxiety and says:

“Taking action to address specific causes of anxiety can also help – for example, contacting a money advisor, discussing workplace stress with your employers, or seeking support if you are experiencing bullying, harassment or discrimination.”

If you feel overwhelmed by anxiety, and it is negatively impacting your everyday life, you should contact your GP for help and support in the first instance.

There are, however, a number of measures you can take yourself in the meantime to try to positively manage your anxiety. These include:

  • Talk about it – open up about what’s making you anxious or how anxiety affects you to someone you trust or a confidential helpline
  • Address your worries – set a specific time to focus on your worries and/or write them down in a specific place
  • Try breathing exercises
  • Keep a diary – this can be of your symptoms, your worries, triggers for panic attacks – OR, it could also be about acknowledging the positive things happening
  • Look for support groups, such as Anxiety UK
  • Explore alternative therapies
  • Try to get enough sleep
  • Eat regular, balanced meals to help maintain positive mood and energy levels
  • Avoid consuming too much caffeine or alcohol, and try not to smoke
  • Get regular physical activity
  • Get outside in the fresh air

If you experience panic attacks as a symptom of your anxiety, you may want to try the following tips from leading mental health charity Mind to help manage these:

  1. Breathe – concentrate on breathing deeply into your stomach and breathing out slowly
  2. Move – Mind suggests that stamping on the spot can help some people to control their breathing
  3. Reassure – remind yourself that you are safe. The panic attack has been caused by anxiety, and is not dangerous. It will pass
  4. Focus – switch your focus to small sensory details you find comforting or interesting. Mind suggests you could taste mints, touch something soft or listen to calming music
  5. Talk – confide in someone you trust about your panic attacks and/or join a support group
  6. Record – note down what happens when you feel anxious, to help spot your triggers, and also make a record of coping strategies that work for you

Supporting others with anxiety

If someone close to you is struggling with anxiety, you may feel powerless, but there are positive things you can to do to help and support them. These include:

DO:

  • Try to understand – research anxiety and ask about how they’re feeling
  • Ask what you can do to help
  • Offer them support with seeking help
  • Remember to focus on looking after yourself

DON’T:

  • Put pressure on them! Do not force them to seek help or confront situations before they’re ready to
  • Assume their experience of anxiety is the same as someone else’s

If you are with someone when they experience a panic attack, you can help them to manage the attack in the following ways:

  • Remain calm
  • Reassure them you’re there for them, and that they’re ok
  • Encourage them to focus on breathing in deeply and out slowly – it may help to count out loud as they breathe
  • Suggest they stamp their feet on the spot
  • Encourage them to sit down somewhere quiet until they have recovered

Calls to tackle root causes of anxiety

There are calls to tackle the root causes of anxiety in society, such as the cost of living crisisAlthough there are lots of positive strategies that people can utilise to try to manage their anxiety and look after their mental health, the Mental Health Foundation emphasises the fact that “much of what may trigger anxiety is not within our control.”

The Foundation will be speaking to politicians and decision-makers throughout Mental Health Awareness Week about measures they can implement to support the nation’s mental health and wellbeing.

Causes of anxiety can be many and complex, but the charity says that financial worries, social isolation, social pressures and discrimination can all play a significant role.

They are calling on local and national politicians to consider measures such as income support, the provision of good quality housing, strong legislation to prevent bullying, harassment and discrimination, and providing communities with the services and facilities they need to live well and support positive mental health.

Consider training this Mental Health Awareness Week

Training can help improve understanding of mental healthFirst Response Training (FRT) is a leading national training provider delivering courses in subjects such as health and safety, first aid, fire safety, manual handling, food safety, mental health, health and social care and more.

An accredited Mindful Employer themselves, FRT’s specialist mental health training courses include Understanding Mental Health, Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace, Managing Stress, Anxiety and Phobias Awareness, Self-Harm Awareness and Suicide Awareness.

They can also provide qualified, approved trainers to deliver accredited Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training courses, including the Adult, Youth and Lite versions.

A trainer from FRT says:

“Most people feel anxious at some point in their life, and so it is probably one of the mental health problems that people are most able to relate to. It affects a great many people, including increasing numbers of children, especially post-pandemic.

“It’s really important that we all have an understanding of mental health problems and an awareness of conditions such as anxiety, and that we are familiar with effective support strategies for helping others and managing our own anxiety and safeguarding our wellbeing.

“Our Anxiety Awareness training provides learners with an understanding of a range of specific anxiety disorders, how they can be managed and treated, and how to offer support to someone dealing with anxiety.”

Helpful resources

A brief summary of our mental health training can now be downloaded as an infographic.

We also have a number of free infographics available to download which provide simple tips for helping to manage your anxiety and panic attacks. These include:

You can also download our free Guide to Mental Health Training from our website.

For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

Further support for anxiety and other mental health concerns

HSE campaign tackles work-related stress

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has launched its Working Minds campaign to help employers and workers prevent work-related stress.

Work-related stress is a leading cause of workplace illness and absenceBritain’s health and safety watchdog is working with a number of partners, including IOSH, ACAS and Mind, to bring together a range of tools and support to help people tackle work-related stress and promote positive mental health.

They are also inviting businesses and organisations across Britain to become Working Minds Champions.

It comes during Stress Awareness Month, a campaign running throughout April which aims to encourage people to talk about and take action on stress.

Work-related stress costs employers billions

Work-related stress is on the increase

The HSE says that all employers have a legal duty to prevent work-related stress and support good mental health in the workplace.

Annual statistics published by the watchdog show that stress, anxiety and depression are the top causes of work-related illness in the UK, and that this is on the rise.

In fact, figures for 2021-22 show that 50% (914,000) of the 1.8 million cases of work-related illness were attributed to stress, depression and anxiety. These problems also accounted for over 50% of all working days lost in the UK that year – equating to 17 million.

Deloitte estimates that poor mental health at work now costs UK employers up to £56 billion each year, with the total annual cost having increased by 25% since 2019.

Burnout has been on the rise since the pandemicIn their report, ‘Mental health and employers: The case for investment – pandemic and beyond’, Deloitte reveals that employers that invest in mental health support for their workforce see significant benefits. They recommend that organisations consider a wide range of tools, resources and interventions to address the needs of various demographic groups and help all employees stay healthy, feel supported and happy at work.

Deloitte explains that issues such as burnout, exhaustion, mental distance from the job, insecurities and uncertainty have all resulted in a rise in problems such as absenteeism, presenteeism and labour turnover.

They cite presenteeism – the concept of being present at work while not being physically or mentally fit, and therefore less productive – as the biggest problem facing businesses but say that turnover has emerged as a growing issue.

Their report reveals that over a quarter (28%) of UK workers either intentionally left their job during the past 12 months or are planning to leave it in the next 12 months. Further, almost 40% of total turnover costs can be attributed to mental health problems.

Take a proactive approach to work-related stress

Employers can see real benefits from promoting wellbeing at workThat’s why initiatives such as HSE’s Working Minds campaign are so important. It encompasses free resources such as posters, a podcast and an app.

There’s also advice and guidance for employers and different sectors, help for workers and information about supporting the campaign and becoming a Working Minds Champion.

Employers could see significant gains if they embrace the advice, tools and resources being made available by the HSE and work to implement a prevention-first approach to stress and poor mental health in the workplace. Deloitte’s research suggests that proactive interventions have better outcomes and a higher return on investment than reactive measures (5.0 compared to 3.4).

Training to understand and tackle mental health problems

Work-related stress costs employers billions every yearFirst Response Training (FRT) is a leading national training provider delivering courses in subjects such as health and safety, first aid, fire safety, manual handling, food safety, mental health, health and social care and more.

An accredited Mindful Employer themselves, FRT’s specialist mental health training courses include Understanding Mental Health, Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace, Managing Stress, Anxiety and Phobias Awareness, Self-Harm Awareness and Suicide Awareness.

They can also provide qualified, approved trainers to deliver accredited Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training courses, including the Adult, Youth and Lite versions.

A trainer from FRT says:

“While stress is not recognised as a diagnosable mental health condition, it can lead to more serious mental health problems such as depression and anxiety, and can also have physiological effects.

“It’s important to recognise the severity of stress and to learn proactive and positive ways for managing, minimising and preventing stress, both in the workplace and in our personal lives.”

Helpful resources

A brief summary of our mental health training can now be downloaded as an infographic.

We also have a number of other free infographics available to download which provide simple tips for helping to manage your mental and emotional wellbeing and proactively manage your stress levels. These include:

You can also download our free Guide to Mental Health Training from our website.

For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

NSPCC campaign tackles ‘heart-breaking’ loneliness

The NSPCC has launched a new campaign to tackle the “heart-breaking” loneliness experienced by children and young people across the country.

New NSPCC campaign aims to tackle loneliness among children and young peopleThe ‘Day in the Lonely’ campaign uses day-in-the-life style videos to illustrate how three young people experience loneliness.

The videos, based on real-life calls received by Childline, are designed to encourage children to share their feelings of loneliness, and to reassure them that these feelings don’t need to last.

Childline conducts 15 loneliness counselling sessions each day

Loneliness among children peaked during the pandemic but remains highThe campaign comes in the wake of new Childline data which reveals that the free, confidential helpline is contacted an average of 15 times each day by children struggling with loneliness.

Childline delivered a total of 5,564 counselling sessions on loneliness between April 2021 and March 2022.

Counselling sessions on the issue of loneliness predictably peaked at more than 6000 during the height of the Covid-19 pandemic in the UK. Numbers have since fallen slightly but remain high.

Children who contact Childline are often experiencing loneliness because they’ve been left out of friendship groups and social media chats. Others struggle with the issue because they feel negatively about themselves or believe that their family or friends don’t understand them.

Loneliness can lead to mental health issues

The campaign videos include information on how Childline can support children and young people, including through email and message boards.

It is hoped they will prompt young people to open up about their mental health issues early on, to prevent them escalating to crisis point. Poor mental health has remained a top concern for children contacting the helpline for the past 6 years.

The Director of Childline, Shaun Friel, explains:

“Loneliness is sadly an issue that a high number of children and young people are experiencing.

“At Childline, we know the impact this can have on a child’s wellbeing and mental health.

“We’ve had cases of children left feeling depressed. That’s why we are reminding all children that talking to a trusted adult like a parent, teacher or Childline counsellor about being lonely is a brave thing to do. It will enable them to get the help they need.

“Through this campaign, we want to raise awareness among children and adults, that there are many reasons why young people might feel lonely, but these feelings don’t have to last.

“Getting support early on can prevent things from escalating in the future.”

The Day in the Lonely campaign is supported by supermarket retailer Lidl GB, which has been raising funds for Childline since 2020.

Lidl GB’s Senior CSR Manager, Mark Newbold, says: “It’s heart-breaking to see young people struggle with loneliness, and that is why at Lidl we are proud to have funded the NSPCC’s Day in the Lonely campaign.

“We are committed to raising funds that mean more youngsters in need of emotional support can get the help they require as fast as possible.”

Coping with loneliness

Childline provides tips for coping with lonelinessThe Day in the Lonely campaign page also provides tips for young people who need support but are struggling to talk about their experiences. It also provides top tips for making friends and everyday steps that children and young people can take to cope with loneliness. These include:

  • Doing something everyday that makes you feel positive, whether that’s listening to music, getting active, speaking to someone you care about or tidying something up. Even doing something simple and small each day can help to lift your mood and improve your ability to cope.
  • Taking care of yourself by getting enough sleep, following a daily routine, eating healthily, being physically active and making time to relax. Maintaining a healthy daily routine can help make things easier to cope with.
  • Get help to make friends and take the time and effort to build relationships. Many people may find it difficult to make friends, so follow help and advice and try making the first step, engaging in conversation, being yourself, joining clubs and societies and remember to be patient and take your time.
  • Seek support from someone you trust with things in your life you’re struggling with. This could be a relative, teacher, friend, your doctor or any adult you feel safe with.

For more help and advice, visit the Day in the Lonely webpage or contact Childline for free on 0800 1111.

Supporting children and young people

Young people are urged to talk to someone about loneliness and mental health struggles early onFirst Response Training (FRT) is a leading national training provider delivering courses in subjects such as health and safety, first aid, fire safety, manual handling, food safety, mental health, health and social care, safeguarding and more.

They work with a large number of early years and childcare providers, as well as schools, colleges, and children’s services.

Their courses include Understanding Mental Health, Youth Mental Health First Aid, Anxiety Awareness, Self-Harm Awareness and Suicide Awareness.

A trainer from FRT says:

“We know that many children faced isolation and loneliness during the pandemic, and this has continued for many, with lots of children and young people also experiencing social and general anxiety, as well as depression in many cases.

“It’s vitally important that we keep talking openly about mental health and that we take the time to make meaningful connections, and have conversations, with children to support their wellbeing and check in with them about how they’re feeling.

“It’s also really important for anyone who works closely with children and young people to have a good understanding of mental health and be able to spot the signs that someone may be struggling. They should also feel confident to offer appropriate early help and support. Focused training can help with this.”

For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

Let’s Connect for Children’s Mental Health Week

This week (6th-12th February 2023) is Children’s Mental Health Week and the theme for this year is Let’s Connect, as data suggests more than two-thirds of children experiencing mental health problems feel socially anxious.

Children's Mental Health Week encourages connections and communication

The annual awareness week is run by children’s mental health charity, Place2Be, and was first launched in 2015 to help highlight the importance of children’s mental health and wellbeing.

The charity provides a range of free resources for schools, youth groups and families, such as activity ideas, assembly guides, videos and top tips, to help primary and secondary-aged children and adults explore the topics of mental health and wellbeing.

In line with this year’s theme, suggested activities will help children, young people and adults to consider how we can make meaningful connections that support and protect our mental health.

A lack of connections impacts children’s mental health

Meaningful connections are important for children's mental health

An absence of rewarding and meaningful social connections can lead to people feeling isolated and lonely, which can in turn have a negative impact on our mental health and wellbeing.

With 1 in 6 children living with a diagnosable mental health condition in England, Place2Be wants to encourage people to connect with family, friends and others in healthy, rewarding and meaningful ways during Children’s Mental Health and Week – and beyond.

They say: “People thrive in communities, and this connection is vital for our wellbeing.”

Princess of Wales supports Children’s Mental Health Week

Her Royal Highness Catherine, Princess of Wales, is the Royal Patron of Place2Be and has supported Children’s Mental Health Week since its inception 9 years ago.

To mark Children’s Mental Health Week 2023, she met with primary school children in East London to discuss the importance of making connections and supporting children’s mental health. The Princess encouraged the pupils of St John’s CE Primary School in Bethnal Green to keep talking openly about their feelings, and to continue to check in with one another regarding their emotional wellbeing.

Children’s Mental Health Week comes just as Her Royal Highness has launched her awareness campaign, Shaping Us, which aims to increase public understanding of the crucial importance of the first five years of a child’s life.

Many children feel ‘socially anxious’

New dataSocial connections are vital for children's mental health and wellbeing released by Place2Be shows that almost 78% of the young people supported by the charity last year felt socially anxious and that nearly two-thirds (65%) had difficulties interacting with their classmates.

However, the data also reveals that, with support, two-thirds (76%) of those experiencing severe difficulties saw an improvement in their mental health and wellbeing.

These latest findings follow the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting lockdowns, which led many children and young people to miss out on classroom connections and become isolated from their friends. Teachers have since asked for support in helping young people across the country to improve their social interactions and confidence.

Place2Be notes that a lack of meaningful connections is a key driver in loneliness and anxiety, which makes it vitally important that children and young people can form supportive friendships.

Catherine Roche, CEO of Place2Be, explains:

“In one-to-one sessions with our counsellors, children are telling us how difficult they find it to form and maintain friendships. Forming positive relationships is fundamental to our mental wellbeing and this has been significantly disrupted in recent years.

“While the statistics around children’s mental health are stark, I am optimistic. Through targeted interventions across the school, we can help children and young people become confident, resilient and able to cope with life’s challenges.

“Disconnection and loneliness should not be a part of school life.”

Reach out to tackle mental health crisis

The charity hopes that Children’s Mental Health Week will help to highlight the importance of early intervention in preventing the most serious mental health problems.

Roche adds:

“We hope this week that everyone, whether a child or adult, in school, at home or on the bus, has at least one meaningful conversation with someone. Reach out! We need to embed a culture of destigmatizing our mental health to create a brighter future for our young people.”

Place2Be want people to connect and keep talking about children's mental health

Place2Be have also launched a short film series created by BAFTA for Children’s Mental Health Week 2023, where BAFTA’s Young Presenters, aged between 12 and 17, met with film, TV and radio stars to reflect on the different ways in which they connect with others.

In addition, Place2Be Ambassador, podcaster and journalist, Josh Smith, spoke with secondary school pupils about the different ways in which they connect, and how connections can impact their mental health and wellbeing. The video can be viewed on Place2Be’s website.

Place2Be also offers a social media guide and resources, toolkits for schools, posters, flyers and fundraising packs to help people spread the word, increase awareness and raise funds for children’s mental health.

Mental health training and support for those working with children

Early intervention is important for children's mental health

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading national training provider delivering courses in subjects such as health and safety, first aid, fire safety, manual handling, food safety, mental health, health and social care, safeguarding and more.

They work with a large number of early years and childcare providers, as well as schools, colleges, and children’s services.

Their courses include Understanding Mental Health, Youth Mental Health First Aid, Anxiety Awareness, Self-Harm Awareness and Suicide Awareness.

A trainer from FRT says:

“Many children faced isolation, loneliness and academic upheaval during and since the pandemic, and this has led many to experience social and general anxiety, as well as depression in many cases.

“It’s vitally important that we keep talking openly about mental health and that we take the time to make meaningful connections, and have conversations, with children to support their wellbeing and check in with them.

“It’s also really important for anyone who works closely with children and young people to have a good understanding of mental health and be able to spot the signs that someone may be struggling. They should also feel confident to offer appropriate early help and support. Focused training can help with this.”

For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

Third of UK adults feel anxious about their finances

There are worries about the state of the nation’s mental health after a recent survey found that more than one third (34%) of adults in the UK felt anxious due to financial worries.

The cost-of-living crisis is negatively impacting the mental health of adults in the UK as they feel anxious and stressed over money worriesThe survey, commissioned by the Mental Health Foundation, also found that 1 in 10 adults felt hopeless about their finances, while 3 in 10 reported feeling stressed.

The Foundation says the results are a “warning sign” of a significant rise in mental health problems across the UK amid the cost-of-living crisis.

Anxiety caused by cost-of-living crisis

The survey, conducted by Opinium in November 2022, questioned 3000 adults aged 18 and over and found that, during the previous month, 29% of respondents had experienced stress, 34% experienced anxiety and 10% felt hopeless because of their financial situation.

Many adults are anxious about being able to pay household bills

Looking ahead, two thirds (66%) of adults said they were most concerned about being able to heat their home.

In addition, over 60% were worried about not being able to pay general monthly household bills, and 71% were concerned about not being able to maintain their standard of living.

Half of respondents also admitted being at least a little concerned about not being able to afford to buy food during the next few months.

Among younger adults aged 18 to 34, this number jumped to 67%.

Charity calls for action

The Foundation has urged the government to take action, calling on them to protect people across the UK in the following ways:

  • Safeguarding financial benefits, so they rise with inflation
  • Increasing the capacity of debt services, food banks, community organisations and social security departments
  • Providing these services with staff training on addressing the trauma that claimants may have experienced
  • Maintaining and extending free or subsidised public transport to allow people to stay connected to friends and family

The Foundation says evidence shows that financial strain and poverty are key contributors to a decline in mental wellbeing and the development of conditions such as anxiety, stress and depression.

Their Chief Executive, Mark Rowland, explains:

“Our findings are a warning sign of the mental health consequences of the cost-of-living crisis. We must protect public services and benefits at this crucial time. If people are struggling to meet their essential needs for a warm home and enough healthy food for their families, we can expect a significant rise in mental health problems as the burden of financial strain continues to take its toll.”

Mental Health Foundation calls for action on cost of living crisis

He added: “[…] Preventing mental health problems is vital. Our mental health services are already stretched beyond capacity; we cannot sit on the sidelines and watch them collapse under ever-greater demand.”

In 2022, the Mental Health Foundation published research in partnership with the London School of Economics and Political Science which estimated that mental health problems cost the UK economy a staggering £118 billion every year.

The report revealed that much of this is preventable, and outlined cost-effective measures to prevent poor mental wellbeing.

Open letter on mental health and the cost-of-living crisis

Poverty can impact child mental health

In November, the Foundation wrote an open letter to Prime Minister Rishi Sunak about the cost-of-living crisis and mental health in the UK.

Describing it as a “shameful and unnecessary situation”, they highlighted the fact that poverty is the single biggest driver of poor mental health in children.

Signed by leading representatives from the Samaritans, Mental Health First Aid England, Mind and the Royal College of Psychiatrists, among others, the letter stated:

“[…] the first intervention to reduce mental ill health and prevent suicide is to ensure every household has the means to be safe and warm with enough to eat.”

Advice for managing mental health and money

As well as urging the government to take action, the Foundation has provided help and advice for people experiencing stress, anxiety or depression as a result of financial worries.

Guidance also includes signposting to a number of help and support services.

Advice for those who are feeling financial strain includes:

  • Get control of your finances – ensure you’re receiving any benefits you may be entitled to. You can speak to your local Council and Citizens Advice Bureau for help. You may be able to access emergency loans or grants, if needed. Try recording your income and outgoings to get a better perspective on your finances, and you could also try downloading a free budgeting app.
  • Help with housing, food and energy costs – Seek out community support and resources, such as foodbanks as well as school uniform banks, toy libraries and more. Local libraries often signpost community resources and provide free activities for families. Shelter can provide support for housing issues or homelessness, while the website Money Saving Expert provides lots of practical information and advice forDebts can impact mental health tackling rising energy costs.
  • Tackle your debts – the Foundation emphasises that banks and credit card companies will usually be able to make suitable repayment arrangements to help you manage your debts, while local councils have special arrangements to help with council tax payments. Contact services as soon as possible to get help with any money you owe. You can also contact the debt charity StepChange for expert advice and solutions.
  • Look after your health – Contact your GP, relevant charities or a counsellor if you are worried about your mental health. Many organisations can offer free or low-cost therapy services. You could also reach out to a friend, relative or colleague for support. If you are struggling with alcohol or drug use, or other potentially harmful behaviours as a method of coping with stress or anxiety, access free and confidential help and advice from relevant charities.
  • Eating on a budget – Find tips, advice, recipes and other resources for eating on a budget from the Association of UK Dieticians, many big supermarkets and the BBC Good Food website (search ‘Budget recipes People are feeling anxious and stressed about affording food amid cost of living crisisand advice’). If you are struggling to buy essential food items, contact the Trussell Trust for advice and information about your local food banks.
  • Get a good nights’ sleep – Try to create a good sleep routine by getting up and going to bed at the same times each day, and avoid afternoon naps. Try to close curtains at night and keep them open during the day to aid your body clock and avoid using technology, such as smartphones, before bed.
  • Limit your exposure to bad news – Try to be aware of your mood and feelings when you’re watching TV, listening to the radio or scrolling online, and if you start to experience negative feelings, such as anxiety, switch off and do something else.
  • Find time for yourself – Although this can be hard to do, regularly setting aside time to carry out positive or relaxing activities for yourself can be extremely beneficial for your wellbeing. You could try mindfulness exercises or take some time to reflect on positive elements of your day.

For more information, help and guidance, visit the Mental Health Foundation’s website.

Learning solutions for positive mental health

Mental health learning and development solutions can also play a significant role in helping people to recognise mental health risks and proactively support positive mental health and wellbeing across the UK.

Money worries and debt can impact mental health

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading national training provider delivering courses in subjects such as health and safety, first aid, fire safety, manual handling, food safety, mental health, health and social care and more.

An accredited Mindful Employer themselves, FRT’s specialist mental health training courses include Understanding Mental Health, Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace, Managing Stress, Anxiety and Phobias Awareness, Self-Harm Awareness and Suicide Awareness.

They can also provide qualified, approved trainers to deliver accredited Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) training courses, including the Adult, Youth and Lite versions.

A trainer from FRT says:

“In the depths of winter, during a cost-of-living crisis and following a year of political upheaval, it’s more important than ever that we all work hard to prioritise our mental health and wellbeing.

“There are simple steps we can all take to proactively support and promote positive mental health and it’s important that people are aware of these and that we are focusing on preventative strategies as well as treatment and recovery for those that need it.

“Our mental health courses look at ways of supporting mental health, including tools such as Mind’s five ways to wellbeing, and explore techniques to build emotional resilience.

“Businesses and organisations across the UK can experience immense benefits if they provide relevant mental health training for their staff.”

Resources to support wellbeing

A brief summary of our mental health training can now be downloaded as an infographic.

We also have a number of free infographics available to download which provide simple tips for helping to manage your mental wellbeing. These include:

You can also download our free Guide to Mental Health Training from our website.

For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

Child mental health referrals up 39% after ‘difficult’ year

Referrals for child mental health services have risen by 39% in England in just one year, official data has revealed.

Child mental health is declining in EnglandNHS referrals for mental health treatment for under-18s increased to more than 1.1 million during 2021-22, compared to 839,570 in 2020-21, and 850,741 in 2019-20.

The figures – branded “alarming” by the NSPCC – represent children who are suicidal, self-harming or suffering serious depression or anxiety, as well as those living with eating disorders.

Social issues impacting child mental health

Child mental health has been negatively impacted by the pandemicExperts say key social issues, including the Covid-19 pandemic, social inequality, austerity and online harm are all fuelling soaring rates of mental ill-health among children and young people.

They also said that children continue to face increased academic pressures to catch up following the Covid-19 lockdowns, while worrying about their future prospects amid a cost-of-living crisis and issues like climate change.

Mental health services unable to respond quickly enough

Dr Elaine Lockhart, Chair of the Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Faculty at the Royal College of Psychiatrists, warned that overstretched services mean that children are sliding through the cracks.

She explained that “specialist services are needing to respond to the most urgent and the most unwell,” such as children suffering from psychosis, suicidal thoughts and severe anxiety disorder. Meanwhile, targets for seeing children with eating disorders were sliding “completely.”

Data from NHS Digital shows that hospital admissions for children with eating disorders have risen by 82% in two years.

Lockhart added:

“I think what’s frustrating for us is if we could see them more quickly and intervene, then the difficulties might not become as severe as they do, because they’ve had to wait.”

A difficult year for mental health

Child mental health has been impacted by social issues such as austerityLockhart explains that child mental health had been declining before the pandemic struck, with increasing social inequality, austerity and online harm all playing a role.

Then Covid-19 hit and lockdowns were introduced, resulting in “such a negative effect on a lot of children. Those who had been doing well became vulnerable and those who were vulnerable became unwell.”

Tom Madders from the youth mental health charity YoungMinds described the new figures as “deeply concerning.”

He said:

“The last year has been one of the most difficult for this age group, emerging from the pandemic to limited prospects for their futures, coupled with an increase in academic pressure to catch up on lost learning, and the impact of the cost-of-living crisis.

“The current state of play cannot continue. The government must get a grip of the situation.”

More funding for mental health services

Meanwhile, a spokesperson from the Department of Health and Social Care said they were investing £2.3 billion a year into mental health services so that an additional 345,000 children and young people will be able to access mental health support by 2024.

They added that they were “aiming to grow the mental health workforce by 27,000 more staff by this time too.”

Child mental health training and support

Child mental health training is importantFirst Response Training (FRT) is a leading national training provider delivering courses in subjects such as health and safety, first aid, fire safety, manual handling, food safety, mental health, health and social care, safeguarding and more.

They work with a large number of early years and childcare providers, as well as schools, colleges, and children’s services.

Their courses include Understanding Mental Health, Youth Mental Health First Aid, Anxiety Awareness, Self-Harm Awareness and Suicide Awareness.

A trainer from FRT says:

“Children have faced isolation, loneliness, academic upheaval, bereavement, money worries and other difficulties since the pandemic, and, on top of this, when they do come forward with concerns about their mental health they may have to wait a long time for the specialist support they need.

“It’s therefore vitally important that anyone who works closely with children and young people has an understanding of mental health, is able to spot the signs that someone may be struggling and can offer appropriate early help and support. Focused training can help with this.”

For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

Workers feel under pressure to hide mental health struggles

A survey has found that many UK workers feel under pressure to hide their mental health struggles and “put on a brave face” at work as the government encourages them to head back to the office.

The survey of more than 2,000 people, commissioned by online healthcare provider Lime Insurance, found that just over half (51%) of respondents felt under pressure to disguise any mental health concerns from their colleagues.

Meanwhile, 4 in 10 said they felt less resilient than they did before the Covid-19 pandemic struck and just over a quarter (26%) said they did not feel as though they were coping at work.

‘Pleasanteeism’ undermines resilience

The research reveals that almost a fifth of workers (19%) are concerned about their stress and difficulty in coping being visible to others as they return to work.

Despite these fears, many feel they are not able to mask their stress and anxiety very well, with nearly 1 in 5 respondents admitting that they believe their colleagues are aware that they are hiding deeper issues.

Lime has coined the term “pleasanteeism” to describe how workers are putting on a brave face and presenting the very best versions of themselves in the workplace.

This pressure to keep up appearances is undermining efforts to create an open culture and dialogue concerning mental health at work, eroding resilience and impacting productivity, with Lime describing it as a “plague” on UK businesses.

While trying to mask their mental health challenges, 44% of workers said they felt that low personal resilience impacts their ability to do their job effectively and many admitted that stress and poor mental health has caused them to have an unproductive day (28%), lose concentration or make a mistake at work (17%), forget an important task (17%) or call in sick (9%).

The study from Lime concludes that:

“Businesses are sleepwalking into a mental health crisis.”

Workers encouraged to head back to the office

The stress of the commute can lead our buckets to overflowIt comes as the government encourages people to stop working from home and gradually return to workplaces, with chancellor Rishi Sunak suggesting this was particularly important for younger workers.

He told LinkedIn News: “I doubt I would have had those strong relationships if I was doing my summer internship or my first bit of my career over Teams and Zoom.

“That’s why I think, for young people in particular, being able to physically be in an office is valuable.”

The recent survey results, however, indicate that young people are particularly likely to be experiencing mental health concerns.

The researchers found that 43% of women aged 16-24 and almost half (49%) of men aged 16-24 feel less resilient now than they did before the pandemic.

They also noted that women feel they are under more pressure than their male colleagues to hide any mental health struggles from employers and colleagues, with younger women feeling the pressure the most.

Employers need to do more

Less than 1 in 6 respondents (16%) said they felt their mental health was “very well supported” in the workplace, while over a third (36%) said they did not feel as though their employers offered them enough support generally.

This is despite the fact that the vast majority of workers (81%) want their employers to give them help with their mental wellbeing. Now, the research suggests, 4 in 10 workers are prepared to look for a new job if their employer does not do more.

When asked how employers could help support their mental health and wellbeing, respondents suggested the following measures:

  • Focusing on workload and work/life balance (25%)
  • Allowing greater flexibility in working hours (22%)
  • Enabling workers time out for personal commitments (20%)
  • Offering mental health days off work (20%)

The Head of Workplace Wellbeing at national mental health charity Mind, Emma Mamo, said there was no “one size fits all” approach to creating an open culture of mental health in the workplace, but that “regularly communicating and providing opportunities for staff to talk about any issues they’re facing,” are vital steps for employers to take.

She also advises employers to conduct staff surveys to understand the causes and triggers for poor mental health at work so they can implement measures to mitigate these. Small businesses can seek guidance from HR support services for small businesses that specialize in providing tailored solutions for small businesses.

Mind asserts that “a culture of fear and silence around mental health is costly to employers”, and provides free resources to help improve mental wellbeing and employee engagement.

The full report from Lime can be viewed and downloaded online.

Further mental health support and training

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider delivering a wide and diverse range of training courses.

They can provide training in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food hygiene, safeguarding, mental health, health and social care and other specialist subjects.

Their specialist mental health training range includes Understanding Mental Health, Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace, Managing Stress in the Workplace, Anxiety Awareness, Self-Harm Awareness and Suicide Awareness.

They can also provide externally accredited trainers to deliver Mental Health First Aid England training courses, including Adult, Youth, Champion and Lite versions.

A trainer from FRT says:

“As we hopefully continue to recover from the pandemic and return to some sort of normal, mental health and wellbeing needs to be high on the agenda for everyone.

“The government has promised to improve mental health support as part of their efforts to ‘build back better’ after the pandemic, but employers also need to look at what they can do to promote and support positive mental health and wellbeing among their employees

“As with most things, prevention is better than cure and it’s important that we really shift from a reactive approach when it comes to protecting our mental health.

“Training can really help with this; our mental health training courses include content on supporting your mental health at all times, and building emotional resilience.”

For more information about the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

Mental Health Awareness Week highlights benefits of nature

Taking place from 10th-16th May, Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 will focus on the role nature can play in boosting our mental wellbeing.

Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, the annual awareness week will encourage people to connect with the natural world around them to help support their psychological and emotional health.

The theme for 2021 was chosen after the clear positive impact that spending time in green spaces and experiencing wildlife had on people’s mental health during the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting national lockdowns in the UK.

Nature vital for mental health

Research by the Mental Health Foundation shows that 45% of people felt that being in green spaces had been vital for their mental health during the pandemic.

Other studies also found that people were noticing nature more, as well as spending more time in it, during lockdowns. Meanwhile, websites which feature footage from wildlife webcams saw hits increase by over 2000% during the past year.

This all demonstrates that a greater connection to the natural world has been crucial for us during a time when we felt vulnerable, unsettled, and threatened.

The Mental Health Foundation asserts that nature “is our great untapped resource for a mentally healthy future.”

They have pledged to collate the evidence that proves the benefits of nature for our mental health and will highlight nature’s ability to comfort us in times of stress and boost “our creativity, empathy and sense of wonder.”

They want to demonstrate that even small contacts with nature can help to reduce feelings of social isolation, protect our mental health and prevent distress.

After all, the national charity says that prevention is at the heart of what they do.

Connect with nature

They are using the hashtag #ConnectWithNature and encouraging people to get involved with the awareness campaign this year by sharing resources, fundraising activities, school packs, a downloadable nature journal and green ribbon pin badges and face coverings on their website.

People are urged to share their stories of how connecting with nature has helped improve their mental health and wellbeing.

From 10th-16th May, people are also encouraged to take part by:

  • Experiencing nature: acknowledge and nurture your connection with nature throughout the week. Notice and celebrate the nature you encounter in your daily life.
  • Sharing nature: take photos, videos or sound recordings of nature and share these online with the hashtags #ConnectWithNature and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek to help inspire others.
  • Talking about nature: visit the Mental Health Foundation’s website and use their tips and dedicated resources and research to help start a conversation about connecting with nature within your family, school, workplace or community.

Raising awareness is vital because, despite the evidence, many of us are still not regularly connecting with or benefitting from nature.

The Mental Health Foundation says that around 13% of UK households have no access to a garden, but that nature should not be a luxury and should instead be seen as a basic resource for everyone to enjoy.

They’ve also highlighted how teenagers as a peer group are least likely to be connected with nature.

Key aims for Mental Health Awareness Week

The charity has outlined two clear aims for Mental Health Awareness Week 2021:

  1. To inspire more people to connect with nature in new ways, and to take notice of the positive impact this has on their mental health.
  2. To convince decision-makers at all levels that access to and quality of nature is a mental health and social justice issue, as well as an environmental one.

A new Environment Bill is due to go through the UK Parliament this year and is poised to shape our natural world for future generations. The UK is also set to host the G7 nations as they discuss creating a greener future among their key priorities, while Glasgow will play host to the UN Climate Change Conference of the Parties (COP26).

The message from the Mental Health Foundation is clear; there has never been a more crucial time to understand the link between nature and our mental health.

Free online Mental Health seminar

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider delivering a wide and diverse range of training courses.

They can provide training in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food hygiene, safeguarding, mental health, health and social care and other specialist subjects.

Their specialist mental health training range includes Understanding Mental Health, Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace, Managing Stress, Anxiety Awareness, Self-Harm Awareness and Suicide Awareness.

They can also provide externally accredited trainers to deliver Mental Health First Aid England training courses, including Adult, Youth, Champion and Lite versions.

FRT are holding a free Mental Health Awareness seminar on Thursday 13th May to mark Mental Health Awareness Week 2021. Held via webinar, the live online seminar will take place from 1-3pm on Thursday and is open to both new and existing clients.

The seminar will cover:

  • Mental health myths and facts
  • Types of mental health disorder
  • Attitudes and impacts of mental ill health
  • Supporting people with a mental health problem
  • Further resources and advice

A trainer from FRT says:

“Collectively, our mental health and wellbeing has certainly taken a hit over the last 12 months or so.

“For many people, being able to get outside and connect with nature each day has been a true lifeline and has boosted their mood and sense of wellbeing when they needed it most.

“It’s great that Mental Health Awareness Week 2021 will acknowledge and highlight this, focussing on the significant benefits of nature for our mental health and wellbeing.

“Connecting with and noticing nature is something we can all do to help support and protect our mental health and we must continue to raise awareness of mental health issues and ways we can look after our own mental health and that of others.

“Our free online seminar will look at supporting others as well as building our own emotional resilience.”

For more information about the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

Download our free ‘Connect with Nature’ infographic for 5 ways in which you can tap into nature to boost your mental health and wellbeing.

You can also download our free ‘Manage Your Stress’ infographic for simple tips on how to reduce stress and anxiety.

Landmark mental health study reveals rise in loneliness

A landmark mental health study reveals a mixed picture for the UK one year after the Covid-19 pandemic took hold, with more adults experiencing loneliness.

The Mental Health in the Pandemic study, which began shortly before the first national lockdown in March 2020 and has asked questions of the UK public at 10 intervals since, generating around 36,000 responses, shows that the coronavirus crisis has had wide and deep emotional impacts on adults in the UK.

Although the results show that anxiety about the pandemic has become less common one year on, falling from 62% in March 2020 to 42% in February this year, other measures have worsened.

Loneliness has become more common, rising from 1 in 10 of those surveyed in March 2020 to more than 1 in 4 (26%) by February 2021.

Among 18-24-year-olds, this figure almost doubled to 48% of those surveyed. This represents a sharp rise in loneliness among young adults in the UK, with just 16% admitting that they had felt lonely over the previous two weeks in March 2020.

In fact, the study showed that feelings of loneliness among all UK adults had not returned to their pre-lockdown levels at any point over the last 12 months, including when most restrictions were lifted during the summer.

Fewer people also felt that they were coping well with the stress of the pandemic.

The study shows a slow and steady fall in this area, with 73% of UK adults reporting that they felt they were coping well with the stress of the pandemic in April 2020, compared to 64% in February 2021.

The study, conducted in partnership between the Mental Health Foundation and the universities of Cambridge, Swansea, de Montfort Leicester, Strathclyde and Queen’s Belfast, also revealed:

  • Feelings of hopelessness had not altered much. In March 2020, 18% of people surveyed said they had felt hopeless about the Covid-19 pandemic over the previous fortnight. This remained the same in February 2021
  • The number of people experiencing suicidal thoughts and feelings in the previous two weeks had risen from 8% in April 2020 to 13% in February 2021. It is not yet clear whether the pandemic will affect suicide rates.
  • Young adults (aged 18-24), full-time students, unemployed people, single parents and those with long-term disabling health problems and pre-existing problems with their mental health were all significantly more likely to feel distressed, across a range of mental health measures, compared with UK adults generally. This was the case both in March 2020 and 12 months on.

Dr Antonis Kousoulis, Director for England and Wales at the Mental Health Foundation, said the study presented a “complex picture” of the UK’s mental health.

She explained:

“Fewer of us are feeling anxious about the pandemic but more of us now feel lonely and ground down by the stress of the past year.

“It is absolutely important to remember that the experience of the past year has not been shared by everyone. We have all been in the same storm, but we have not all been in the same boat. The coronavirus vaccine brings hope. The warmer weather brings smiles. However, for many of us, the next few months – and even years – will remain tough, vulnerable and uncertain.

“We believe this study to be one of the first to have tracked people’s mental health systematically across a pandemic, using nationally representative samples. We hope that it will inform responses to future pandemics, as well as the current one, as it’s not helpful to see Covid-19 as a one-in-a-generation event.”

The findings of the study have been shared with policymakers at the Department of Health and Social Care, Public Health England and the Governments of Scotland and Wales.

The Mental Health Foundation plans to invest at least £1 million in programmes targeting some of the groups that have been impacted most significantly by the pandemic, including people of colour, single parents and those with long-term health conditions.

Dr Kousoulis explained that identifying the groups most seriously affected by the pandemic was one of the key aims of the mental health study.

She said: “We can now see clearly that among the most seriously affected people are young adults, people who are unemployed and full-time students. In these groups, painful experiences including loneliness, hopelessness and feeling suicidal are much more common.

“This is especially troubling, at a time when unemployment is set to rise. Policymakers must target support at these more vulnerable groups, to help prevent them reaching crisis point.

“We also need to see coordinated action on mental health from across the whole of Government, with a formal requirement for it to consider the mental health impacts of all policies it develops. This has never been more important than it is now.”

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider delivering a wide and diverse range of training courses.

They can provide training in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food hygiene, safeguarding, mental health, health and social care and other specialist subjects.

Their specialist mental health training range includes Understanding Mental Health, Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace, Managing Stress, Anxiety Awareness, Self-Harm Awareness and Suicide Awareness.

They can also provide externally accredited trainers to deliver Mental Health First Aid England training courses, including Adult, Youth, Champion and Lite versions.

A trainer from FRT says: “By now, I think most people are aware that we are looking at a mental health epidemic alongside the coronavirus pandemic.

“It is now more important than ever that good mental health support is available for those who need it and that everyone has an awareness of mental health issues, how to support others and how to look after their own mental health.”

For more information about the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

Childline raises concerns over mental health of children

Childline has raised concerns about the mental health of children and young people after delivering over 50,000 counselling sessions since the first peak of the coronavirus pandemic.

Training can help raise awareness of anxietyThe NSPCC’s confidential charity helpline delivered 54,926 counselling sessions to children and young people between April and December 2020.

This represents a 16% increase in the average number of mental health counselling sessions delivered to children aged 11 and under and a 10% increase in counselling sessions about loneliness across all age groups.

Childline has called for more volunteers to join the helpline and help to support children and young people as the pandemic continues.

It reports that children contacting its service frequently talked about experiencing loneliness, low mood and self-esteem, depression and anxiety, signifying the devastating impact the coronavirus pandemic and resulting lockdowns has had on the mental health of young people.

Some children spoke of feeling isolated or overwhelmed due to fears about family members contracting the virus, school closures or cancelled exams.

Others said they felt cut off from their support networks and were missing family and friends.

Dame Esther Rantzen, who founded the helpline and is its president, said it was “absolutely imperative” that Childline is available for children who need it.

She commented: “Many young people, especially those in unsafe homes, are feeling desperately anxious and depressed. School can be the only safe haven they know, and without that support they feel entirely alone. For them, Childline is literally a life-line.

“But the service urgently needs more volunteers to listen to and support children, and more funds to pay for their calls and online contacts, and for that we depend upon the generosity and compassion of the public. It is the NSPCC’s mission to make 2021 a better year for children, and with your help we can make this dream a reality.”

You can learn about ways to help Childline and the NSPCC on their website.

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading national training provider delivering courses in subjects such as health and safety, first aid, fire safety, manual handling, food hygiene, mental health, health and social care, safeguarding and more.

They work with a large number of early years and childcare providers, as well as schools, colleges, and children’s services. Their courses include Safeguarding Children, Understanding Mental Health and Anxiety Awareness.

They can also provide accredited trainers to deliver Youth Mental Health First Aid training, certificated by Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England.

A trainer from FRT says: “There are many hidden victims of the pandemic, and it is saddening that measures introduced to keep the nation safe and healthy may have contributed to children experiencing much higher levels of mental ill health.

“It’s so important that this issue is being discussed and that these children receive the help and support they need.

“Anyone who works with children and young people should complete appropriate mental health training so that they can spot the early warning signs of depression, anxiety and other mental health problems.”

For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

Study shows pandemic’s impact on mental health

A new research study has found that key indicators of poor mental health and wellbeing – such as loneliness, suicidality and not coping well with stress – have worsened among UK adults since the start of the coronavirus pandemic.

The four-nation longitudinal study, led by the Mental Health Foundation and its university partners, has questioned UK adults at regular intervals since the first lockdown began in March 2020.

It suggests that, despite some improvements in a few areas being recorded over the summer, the longer-term trend is towards a deepening distress among UK adults.

Now, the researchers are calling for a whole government COVID-mental health response and recovery plan.

Their latest wave of research questioned 4,436 adults and was carried out in November after the announcement of successful vaccine trials. It found that, since March, loneliness has gone from affecting 1 in 10 adults across the UK to 1 in 4.

In addition, fewer adults are saying that they are “coping well with the stress of the pandemic.” In April, 73% agreed that they were coping well, but by November this had fallen to 62%.

Most alarmingly, more adults are reporting experiencing suicidal thoughts and feelings.

In April, 8% of adults surveyed revealed that they had experienced suicidal thoughts and feelings within the previous two weeks, but in November this was 13%.

Focus on prevention

The Mental Health Foundation explains that, while it is still too early to judge whether the pandemic has affected suicide rates, suicides are potentially preventable, if we act now rather than wait for the rate to rise.

They add that most people who experience suicidal thoughts and feelings do not necessarily go on to attempt suicide or take their own life.

Despite this, it is clear that we are at a pivotable moment when it comes to mental health in the UK.

Dr Antonis Kousoulis, Director for England and Wales at the Mental Health Foundation, commented:

“At the beginning of the pandemic, we were very concerned that the longer it went on, the more serious the risks to our mental health would become.

“Unfortunately, this latest data appears to support that fear. It is clear that, for millions of people, distress is not going away and on some important measures, problems are getting worse.

“There is no vaccine to protect our mental health against the consequences of the pandemic. Instead, we need to focus on prevention – including tackling the underlying causes of mental ill-health, such as rising unemployment, poverty and isolation.

“This is why we need a long-term COVID-mental health recovery plan for England now, and full implementation of devolved nations’ mental health recovery plans.”

Pandemic has ‘eroded’ mental health

4th November 2020 is National Stress Awareness DayThe Coronavirus: Mental Health in the Pandemic long-term study, which began in March 2020, is led by the Mental Health Foundation in partnership with the universities of Cambridge, Swansea, Strathclyde, Queen’s Belfast and De Montfort. It has repeatedly surveyed 4,000+ UK adults throughout the crisis.

Some indicators of distress have been shown to plateau or ease since March, and these include feelings of hopelessness, which was at 18% in both March and November, worry about financial matters, which fell from 42% to 28%, and feeling anxious or worried, which has fallen gradually from 62% in March to 45% last month.

Professor Tine Van Bortel, from the University of Cambridge and De Montfort University Leicester, said:

“The Covid-19 pandemic has eroded many of the things that normally protect our mental health – from social connectedness to financial security and hope for the future.

“Prolonged stress and loneliness negatively impact mental health and also contribute significantly towards poor physical health. These issues will become more apparent over time and will cause a huge burden for individuals, communities, health services and economies.”

Speaking of the need for a mental health recovery plan, she added: “While the government has produced a policy paper for England on staying mentally well this winter, we need a more long-term strategy to address the mental health effects of the pandemic, as well as implementation of the devolved administrations’ COVID-19 mental health plans.

“Taking a proactive, long-term, preventative approach to poor mental health is the best way to avoid people reaching crisis point and developing longer-term health problems. It is critical that the government takes a comprehensive and inclusive, whole-system wellbeing approach to pandemic recovery.”

Response and recovery

The Mental Health Foundation has published its own recommendations for a whole-government COVID-19 Mental Health Response and Recovery Plan, which entails a broad approach to mental health.

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading national training provider.

They work with thousands of organisations from all industry sectors and throughout the UK to deliver a wide and diverse range of training in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food hygiene, mental health, health and social care and other special focus topics.

Their range of mental health training courses includes the Level 2 Award in Understanding Mental Health, which is a full day, externally accredited course that includes a course companion manual and provides people with an in-depth understanding of mental health problems, recovery and prevention.

They can also provide courses in Anxiety Awareness, Anxiety and Phobias Awareness, Bipolar Disorder Awareness, Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace, Mental Health Awareness for social care, Managing Your Stress, Self-Harm Awareness and Suicide Awareness.

FRT can also provide trainers who are accredited to deliver Mental Health First Aid training courses, including Adult, Youth and Lite versions.

Working days are lost due to stress, depression and anxietyA trainer from FRT explains: “Mental health is finally getting something like equal recognition with physical health. People are talking more openly and the stigma is gradually being broken down, though it can still exist in some areas.

“Providing training and information, and raising awareness, is one crucial way in which we can increase understanding and support for mental health matters, and can ensure more people come forward when they need help. It also helps educate people about how they can manage their own mental health and build their emotional resilience.

“It’s really important to be mindful about how you’re feeling and what you can do to support positive mental wellbeing each and every day, especially during these extremely challenging times where it feels like we’re losing so much.

“Support, understanding, and positive measures to improve mental health and wellbeing are needed now more than ever.”

For more information about the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300, or send an e-mail to info@firstresponsetraining.com.

For tips on supporting your mental health and wellbeing during the pandemic, download our free infographic.

More than half of lost working days due to mental ill health, HSE says

The Health and Safety Executive (HSE) has released its annual workplace injuries and ill-health statistics for Great Britain.

Working days are lost due to stress, depression and anxietyThe statistics, compiled from the Labour Force Survey (LFS) and additional sources, revealed that more than half of the working days that were lost as a result of work-related ill-health in 2019-20 were due to mental ill health.

Last year, 32.5 million working days were lost due to work-related ill-health, with 17.9 million of those being due to work-related stress, depression or anxiety.

This represents an increase of almost 30% since 2018-19, when 12.8 million working days were lost due to work-related stress, depression or anxiety. The HSE says that the rate of self-reported work-related stress, depression or anxiety has increased in recent years.

Industries with higher than average rates of stress, depression or anxiety include: public admin and defence; human health and social work; and education.

Workload, lack of support, violence, threats or bullying and changes at work are all cited within the report as the estimated main causes of work-related stress, depression or anxiety, based on LFS data provided from 2009-2012.

The annual report, which details the figures for work-related ill-health, workplace injuries, working days lost, enforcement action taken and the associated costs to the country, shows that 38.8 million working days were lost overall due to work-related ill-health and non-fatal workplace injuries in 2019-20.

This is an increase of 10.6 million working days from 2018-19.

There were 1.6 million cases of work-related ill-health in 2019-20, with 638,000 workers suffering from a new case of work-related ill-health.

Over half (51%) of the new and long-standing cases of work-related ill-health were classed as stress, depression or anxiety, with 828,000 workers affected by these mental health issues, while 30% were musculoskeletal disorders, with 480,000 workers affected, and 19% were due to other types of illness.

Despite this, the HSE has emphasised that the statistics do show that Great Britain remains one of the safest places in the world to work, with the lowest number of deaths on record.

Other key figures from the release include:

  • There were 111 fatal injuries at work in 2019-20
  • There 65,427 non-fatal, RIDDOR-reportable injuries
  • 693,000 workers sustained a non-fatal injury in total
  • Workplace injuries cost Great Britain an estimated £5.6 billion in 2018-19
  • There are an estimated 12,000 lung disease deaths each year linked to past exposures at work
  • In 2018, there were 2,446 mesothelioma deaths linked to past exposures to asbestos at work. There were a similar number of lung cancer deaths also linked to asbestos
  • Work-related injuries and new cases of work-related ill-health cost Great Britain £16.2 billion in 2018-19
  • In terms of enforcement action, 325 cases that were prosecuted by HSE resulted in a conviction, with fines from convictions totalling £35.8 million
  • The HSE also issued 7,075 enforcement notices in 2019-20.

The statistics, which cover April 2019 – March 2020 inclusive, do include the period when Covid-19 emerged as a national health issue at the end of the final quarter of the year. The HSE states, however, that the pandemic does not appear to be the main driver of changes observed in the 2019-20 data, although it could be a contributory factor.

The Chair of the HSE, Sarah Newton, explained:

“The Covid pandemic has focused attention on the health and safety issues people face in the workplace.

“HSE remains committed to taking action where workers are not protected, to ensure the guidance and assistance we provide for employers in managing risks is the best available, based on the latest evidence and science.

“Although Great Britain continues to be up there with the safest places in the world to work, these figures highlight the scale of the challenge HSE currently faces in making Britain an even healthier and safer place to work, this includes our role in the response to the pandemic to ensure workplaces are Covid Secure.

“We must continue to drive home the importance of managing risk and promoting behaviours to ensure employers work right so that workers are able to go home healthy and safe at the end of each day.”

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider.

They deliver a wide and diverse range of courses to organisations and businesses in all industry sectors, and throughout the UK.

working days are lost due to musculoskeletal disordersTheir course range includes training in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, manual handling, food hygiene, mental health, health and social care and other special focus topics.

Their health and safety range focuses on a common sense, proportionate approach to health and safety and is aligned with HSE guidelines and standards, and current legislation. They can offer courses which are externally approved and certificated by IOSH, the world’s leading occupational safety and health professional body.

They also have a range of mental health training courses, including Level 2 Awards in Understanding Mental Health, Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace, Anxiety and Phobias Awareness and Managing Stress in the Workplace.

They can also provide approved trainers to deliver externally accredited and certificated Mental Health First Aid training courses.

A trainer from FRT says: “While it is fantastic news that Great Britain is one of the safest places to work in the world, with a relatively low number of deaths recorded, any life lost at work is still one too many and it is vital that we do not become complacent.

“It is now more important than ever that all organisations and businesses follow correct safety measures to keep their employees and the general public safe.

“This extends beyond protecting their physical safety to also being aware of and supporting their physical and mental health. Healthy, happy and safe workers who feel valued will be more productive, more present and more likely to stay with a company long-term.”

You can also check out the best psychiatrist near Orlando, to know more.

For more information on the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or e-mail info@firstresponsetraining.com.

You can download the annual summary statistics report from the HSE’s website.

Join the conversation this National Stress Awareness Day

The 12th annual National Stress Awareness Day will be marked on Wednesday 4th November 2020.

Falling on the first Wednesday in November each year, the annual awareness day was established to highlight the importance of recognising and managing stress in our daily lives.

4th November 2020 is National Stress Awareness DayMental health charity Mind says that, although stress itself is not a psychiatric diagnosis and lacks a medical definition, it is closely linked to our mental health.

Most people have experienced stress or been placed under pressure at some point in their lives. Stress is, to some extent, a normal part of life and the feelings it creates can often be productive, providing us with motivation, energy and focus and enabling us to get results.

It is when stress overwhelms us that it can be a problem, and lead to physical and mental health problems. Mind says that struggling to manage feelings of stress can lead to the onset of anxiety or depression, or make existing mental health problems worse.

Similarly, having a mental health problem can cause stress, and this can create a vicious circle. It’s therefore vital that we learn how to manage external pressures effectively and build our emotional resilience so we’re better at coping with stressful situations.

Create a Stress Awareness Space

National Stress Awareness Day therefore provides a great opportunity to think and talk about stress and our mental health and wellbeing, as well as to access and share advice and support on managing stress and stressful situations.

As many feelings of stress can be linked to work, Mind is urging employers to start a conversation about stress in their workplace.

They’ve suggested creating a Stress Awareness Space where staff can share their thoughts and feelings when they’re feeling stressed. This can lead to colleagues sharing advice and tips for managing stress.

A fundraising coffee morning is perhaps one way to get started and break the ice.

Create holes in your ‘bucket’

Talking about stress in general can help as recognising what’s causing our stress can help us learn how to manage it.

Anxiety UK cites recent research by AXA Insurance Company which suggests that levels of stress have doubled in the past four years. This comes as other recent studies show that levels of anxiety have risen sharply in recent years, suggesting a strong link between the two.

Anxiety UK utilises the ‘leaky bucket’ analogy to explain stress. They say that:

“[…] every day, seemingly simple stresses can add up, leading to us feeling overwhelmed and anxious. If we keep adding stressors to the bucket (even tiny ones like the school run or commuting to work), over time it fills up until one day it overflows.”

The stress of the commute can lead our buckets to overflowThe charity explains that this is why anxiety can seem to strike out of the blue with no significant trigger – the truth is that a small stressor allowed our bucket to overflow.

They say that what we need “is a leaky bucket with lots of holes in to reduce our overall stress levels. Each one of these holes could be something positive that you do to manage your anxiety, such as yoga, exercise, reading, listening to music or spending time with friends and family.”

Getting to know what stresses us and what relieves our stress is more important than ever with external pressures currently at an all time high due to the effects of the Covid-19 pandemic and resulting restrictions.

For those who are struggling, Anxiety UK operates a helpline, which is available Mondays-Fridays 9.30am-5.30pm and staffed by trained volunteers who can offer practical advice. They can also offer free anxiety resources and a range of relaxation CDs and books about managing and overcoming stress and anxiety.

Raise awareness with training

First Response Training (FRT) is a leading, national training provider. They deliver a wide and diverse range of courses in the fields of health and safety, first aid, fire safety, food hygiene, health and social care, mental health and other special focus topics.

Their mental health range includes Level 2 Awards in Understanding Mental Health, Mental Health Awareness in the Workplace, Anxiety and Phobias Awareness, Self-Harm Awareness and more. They also have a Level 3 Award in Managing Stress in the Workplace and deliver externally accredited Mental Health First Aid training courses.

FRT also offer short Mindfulness Sessions for workplaces, which can be very useful for helping to combat stress.

All training courses can be delivered safely with FRT’s Covid-19 Secure Pledge, and they also offer a range of training through webinar and e-learning for remote staff training.

A trainer from FRT says: “Studies have long been concluding that we’re a highly stressed nation and that we’ve also experienced an explosion in rates of anxiety and depression in recent years. These are all related and its important we tackle them, as the current Covid-19 pandemic will only have exacerbated the issue.

“Learning to talk openly about stress and identify our stressors, as well as knowing the signs and symptoms of stress and some practical techniques to manage it can be a really significant step to alleviating some of the pressures.”

Know the signs

Some signs of stress include, but are not limited to:

  • Feeling irritable, aggressive, anxious, nervous or afraid
  • Being unable to enjoy yourself
  • Worrying constantly
  • Experiencing racing thoughts and being unable to switch off
  • Feeling depressed and/or uninterested in life
  • Being unable to sit still
  • Finding it hard to make decisions or concentrate
  • Eating too much or too little
  • Smoking or drinking alcohol more than usual
  • Biting your nails or picking at your skin
  • Being tearful or crying

Mind recommends working on building up your emotional resilience in order to better manage stress. They suggest:

  • Making key lifestyle changes such as adopting a better work/life balance; making time for friends, interests and hobbies; using simple relaxation techniques such as walking or having a bath, and; practice being more straightforward and assertive in your communications with others to avoid them placing unreasonable demands on you.
  • Protecting your physical health by being physically active, eating healthily and getting enough sleep.
  • Be kind to yourself and give yourself a break. This could mean taking an actual break or holiday or just getting a change of scenery. You should also try to reward yourself for achievements, forgive yourself for mistakes and work to try and resolve any conflicts with friends, family or colleagues.
  • Build up your support network by reaching out to friends and family or to your line manager or HR contact at work, speaking to your GP, accessing peer support or looking up specialist websites or support organisations.

There are further treatments for stress if it is severely impacting your quality of life. Always speak to your GP if you are struggling and need support.

For more information about the training that FRT can provide, please call them today on freephone 0800 310 2300 or e-mail info@firstresponsetraining.com.

You can find more information about stress and building emotional resilience on Mind’s website.

Click here to download our ‘Manage You Stress’ infographic.