They need to talk freely and support their peers. “We haven’t seen many high-profile people sharing their stories of schizophrenia, for instance”, Dr Blanchard says.
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Substance use disorders are more common for younger people (13%) than other age groups, while anxiety disorders are more common in people aged 35-44 (18%).
Every single person has mental health.
It comes amid concern about an epidemic of anxiety and distress among young people, with record levels of mental ill-health among a generation dealing with the fallout from social media. Mental health can threaten a business’ success, and ineffective management and structure can put your employees’ mental health at risk.
Speaking at a reception to mark World Mental Health Day, May is expected to say: “When I first became Prime Minister, I stood on the steps of Downing Street and pledged to fight the burning injustices in our society”. People will readily swallow pain-killers, totally ignorant that they have far more lethal side effects than any anti-depressant – because it is for treating a bodily disorder.
And all primary and secondary schools will be asked to regularly measure their pupils’ mental well-being, as part of lessons in relationships, sex and health education.
The PM has also pledged up to £1.8 million to ensure the Samaritans’ helpline remains free for the next four years, to help those most in need. “It is for this reason that there can be no sustainable development without attention to mental health”, said Commission joint lead editor Professor Vikram Patel of Harvard Medical School.
Teams of volunteers and staff from the WA Association for Mental Health also handed out information packs at train stations in Cockburn, Joondalup and Perth. They both aim to raise awareness and understanding of mental health challenges in the home and workplace, as well as encouraging stronger wellbeing.
Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of mental health charity Sane, said: “While we applaud the intention, it is striking that the United Kingdom should be hosting such a summit when we hear daily about people left untreated due to a lack of nurses and doctors”.
Dr Bente Mikkelsen, Director of the Division of Noncommunicable Diseases and Promoting Health through the Life-course at WHO/Europe, states, “It is important to protect the younger generations as they are the future leaders”.
Gaga co-wrote the op-ed with Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, director-general of the World Health Organization (WHO). We need conversation between young people and adults to determine the issues within the system, and evidence-based research to address these issues. That’s why we’re supporting Natasha Devon’s campaign to have the Health and Safety at Work Act updated so that all employers have an obligation to provide mental health first aiders – regardless of whether workplaces are unionised or not – and independent of the size of the business.
Speaking on World Mental Health Day, Commission joint lead editor Professor Vikram Patel, from Harvard Medical School in the USA, said: “Mental health is the foundation of human capability that makes each life worthwhile and meaningful”.
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Janice Horsman, CEO of Brent, Wandsworth and Westminster Mind will discuss the charity, and good mental health can help you thrive at work.
