Seeking help is a sign of strength - not a weakness. Talking about your problems and thoughts is a good way to start breaking the stigma surrounding mental health problems.
Every week, one in six adults experience a common mental health problem, such as anxiety or depression. As common as they are, many people still keep their feelings hidden - they don’t want to “burden” their family and friends.
The Wiltshire Community Foundation reports that Swindon has the highest concentrations of people with poor mental health conditions in the region and even the country. Seeking help is a sign of strength - not a weakness. Talking about your problems and thoughts is a good way to start breaking the stigma surrounding mental health problems.
But for some people, long term support is needed. Whether short or long term, these things are equally as important - you can always reach out for help if you feel you need it.
Inequality is widely associated with poor mental health. Nearly three in four people living in the lowest household income bracket (less than £1,200 a month) report having experienced a mental health problem. With Swindon (and Wiltshire) having pockets of extremely high deprivation, more needs to be done in terms of mental health support in our area.
The health service can’t do this all on their own. The voluntary sector plays an important role in providing this support. The struggle that many have is to find out where and how they can access this support.
- Every week, one in six adults experience a common mental health problem, such as anxiety or depression. Many of these people keep their feelings hidden to not “burden” others.
- Only a Third of UK workers, around 33%, who have experienced a mental health problem, have felt supported by their employer.
- The majority of people out of work, a total of 85%, have experienced a mental health problem.
- Over 25% of people living in the UK say that they have experienced a panic attack.
- Seven in ten women say that they have experienced a mental health problem.
- More than 4 in 10 people have experienced a mental health problem.
