MENTAL HEALTH - Central News Hub

New every mind matters campaign to improve people’s mental health

New campaign launched after half of all adults and almost two-thirds of South Asians in England say pandemic negatively impacted their mental health. The first campaign was launched by the Office for Health Improvement and Development (OHID) will help adults improve their mental wellbeing. The campaign backed by mental health organisations – Taraki, The Heera Foundation and Sharing Voices

South Asians are urged to find “what works for me” to support their mental wellbeing as the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID)  launches the latest  Better Health – Every Mind Matters (EMM) campaign.

The campaign empowers people to look after their mental health by directing them to free, practical tips and advice. By answering five simple questions through the Every Mind Matters platform, people can get a tailored “Mind Plan”, giving them personalised tips to help deal with stress and anxiety, boost their mood, sleep better and feel more in control.

New research commissioned by OHID reveals nearly half (49%) of adults and almost two-thirds (59%) of South Asians in England said the COVID-19 pandemic had a negative impact on their mental wellbeing. And more than a third of all adults in England (15.1 million) said they did not know what to do to help improve their mental wellbeing.

Pakistani and Bangladeshi adults reported struggling the most, with 60% saying their mental wellbeing was negatively impacted by the pandemic, closely followed by Indian adults at 57%. South Asian adults were also more likely to say they have experienced worry and anxiety, 59% of Pakistanis and Bangladeshis and 54% of Indians, compared to 45% of the general public.

Encouragingly, South Asians were more likely to look for support and advice to help with their mental wellbeing than the general public – 74% of Pakistanis and Bangladeshis, 70% of Indians compared to the general public (47%).

This is the first campaign delivered by the new Office for Health Improvements and Disparities which was launched on 1 October with the aim of tackling health inequalities across the country.

Minister for Care and Mental Health, Gillian Keegan, said:  “The public showed great resilience throughout the pandemic, but it has served as a stark reminder that we all need to look after ourselves not only physically, but mentally. There are simple steps we can all be taking to improve our mental wellbeing and reduce feelings of stress and anxiety. For anyone who is unsure what they can do, I urge you to visit Every Mind Matters and take advantage of the expert advice and practical tips available to you.”

Over 3.4 million individual Mind Plans have already been created since the campaign was first launched in October 2019. 

The campaign is supported by a coalition of leading mental health charities and community organisations, including,  CALM, The Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Innovations, Taraki, The Heera Foundation and Sharing Voices. Also a range of commercial, third-sector, NHS and Local Authority partners, who will share mental health messages with their customers, members and colleagues, including Mental Health First Aid, Carers organisations and more. 

Dr-Chirag-Gorasia

Dr. Chirag Gorasia (Clinical Psychologist), says: “The mental health of the South Asian community has been hard hit by the pandemic, but thankfully there are some simple steps we can all take to improve our mental health. Whether it’s hobbies like, going on walks, reading, gardening or practicing mindfulness and yoga, there are simple, low-cost tools out there to get you through challenging times. A great first step is to answer the five quick questions to generate your Mind Plan on the Every Mind Matters site.”

Pavandeep Johal

Pavandeep Johal, The Heera Foundation, an organisation that provides support to people with mental health issues in the community, says: “It’s very encouraging to see that South Asians are more likely to seek support and advice to help with their mental wellbeing given that we know that cultural and religious beliefs can sometimes make it challenging for some members of the community to seek help.

“The reality is that with the pandemic we have all experienced some form of stress, anxiety or a low mood at some point so it’s so important that we continue to signpost people to the support available and help people find ways to manage their mental wellbeing.”

Better Health – Every Mind Matters offers information and videos to help young people look after their own mental wellbeing, and will be promoting them through social media channels and in schools. The Every Mind Matters website also provides dedicated support to help parents and guardians look after the mental wellbeing of the children and young people they care for.

Search Every Mind Matters to see what works for you.  

WHO to address mental health gaps in Europe

Dr Hans Kluge, Regional Director, WHO Europe, said: “People in the European region are quite literally breaking down under the strain of COVID-19 and its consequences….reports Asian Lite News.

Senior health officials from the WHO’s European Region on Wednesday conveyed their commitment to addressing the mental health crisis that has worsened due to the COVID-19 pandemic across the region.

A WHO release said the mental health impacts of the pandemic will be long-term and far-reaching. “From anxieties around virus transmission, the psychological impact of lockdowns and self-isolation, to the effects of unemployment, financial worries and social exclusion, to in-person access to care, everyone is affected in one way or another.”

“It is not just the infection, or worry about getting infected, that has affected people’s mental health. The stress brought about by socio-economic inequalities and the impacts of quarantine, lockdown and school/work closure have also had a huge impact,” it added.

WHO further said people with pre-existing mental health conditions are disproportionately likely to contract COVID-19 infection, but the pandemic and its effects have also exacerbated their mental health conditions.

Dr Hans Kluge, Regional Director, WHO Europe, said: “People in the European region are quite literally breaking down under the strain of COVID-19 and its consequences. The pandemic has shaken the world. More than 4 million lives were lost globally, livelihoods ruined, families and communities forced apart, businesses bankrupted, and people deprived of opportunities. These consequences of the pandemic have exacted an enormous toll on the mental health and well-being of people in the European region.”

“Yet the pandemic, which has been devastating in so many ways, provides an opportunity for countries to re-think and re-form their mental health services. It is an opportunity no country can afford to waste if we are to build back better and stronger.”

Stressing that mental health and wellbeing should be seen as fundamental human rights, WTO said improving public mental health services is a win-win for everyone. “It won’t just mitigate the mental health impacts of COVID-19, but support the sustainable improvement of overall mental health, result in economic savings which thereby also promotes economic recovery, and support the achievement of wide-ranging policy objectives including achieving universal health coverage by 2030.”

Dr Vasileios Kikilias, Minister of Health, Hellenic Republic, said: “There is no question that the pandemic has impacted the mental health of people of all ages, particularly teenagers, young people and children.” “Scientists, specialists, WHO, together with the Member States, need to devise and implement policies that will assist our fellow human beings who are in need.”

Margaritis Schinas, Vice President of the European Commission for Promoting our European Way of Life, said: “The COVID-19 pandemic has exacerbated the already existing huge mental health challenge that is increasingly getting more complex and diversified. There is no excuse for delays and complacency in our answers to the immediate and longer-term consequences of this health, social and economic crisis. Our response will be holistic and above all anthropocentric. Together with WHO we are joining forces to build a solid Mental Health Coalition in order to address and mitigate the mental health impact of the pandemic.”

38-year-old Katerina, who is a recipient of mental health care in Greece, has been receiving treatment for a psychiatric disorder since 2002 and had been coping well with a mixture of therapy and support groups. But when the pandemic hit, her life was turned upside down.

Katerina said: “During the pandemic, my daily life changed abruptly. I had to comply with the general instructions observing all personal protection measures. Unfortunately, the pressure of social isolation led to increased anxiety, reviving my past experiences. On top of this, the interruption of my in-person support groups led me to agree with my psychiatrist to increase my treatment. At the same time, all visits to my father were cancelled for his own safety, even though he has been my carer for many years. I call on leaders to listen to the voices of those with mental health problems, so our views can inform decision-making at all levels.”

At the request of the WHO Regional Director for Europe, a technical advisory group (TAG) was established in February 2021 to provide advice and guidance to Member States of the WHO European Region and other interested parties on the key mental health impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic, and to suggest critical actions to be taken by national authorities in response.

People wearing masks walk on the Trocadero Place near the Eiffel Tower in Paris, France (Xinhua/Gao Jing/IANS)

The recommendations for the member states include improving access to culturally adapted mental health services through digital and other means; helping people improve resilience; providing occupational and/or financial support to those unable to work, and promoting psychological support initiatives in the workplace.

Other suggestions include addressing the social determinants of mental health, like poverty and unemployment; monitoring changes in mental health at the community level and provide more community support for adolescents and young adults. (ANI)

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