Future Mental Wellbeing: Strategies for a Happier Tomorrow
The UK is currently grappling with a growing mental health crisis, as the prevalence of anxiety and depression has seen a significant increase of 25% due to the COVID-19 pandemic [1]. Common mental health challenges in the UK include an increasing prevalence of common mental health conditions (CMHCs) such as generalized anxiety disorder, depression, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). These conditions are especially rising among young people (16–24 years), women, and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups [1].
Young women between the ages of 16-24 years are 3 times more likely to have mental health issues than men in the UK [2]. Moreover, certain groups like black, Asian, and minority ethnic (BAME) communities have higher rates of mental health concerns compared to other population groups in the UK [2].
To address these challenges, several initiatives and approaches have been highlighted. One such initiative is the systemwide redesign of Child and Young People’s Mental Health Services, focusing on community support, smoother transition to adulthood, and parent involvement [2]. Additionally, parenting programmes and tailored support for parents, including foster and adoptive parents, are being implemented to support children's mental health [2].
Another approach is the provision of flexible, non-judgemental holistic support for young people, adapted to family needs and circumstances, including family mediation to reduce risks such as youth homelessness [2]. The government has also invested in mental health hubs and increased the workforce, recruiting nearly 7,000 mental health professionals with a target of 8,500 by Parliament end [3].
Digital access and NHS mental health apps allowing self-referral for talking therapies are also being introduced, though caution is urged about relying solely on AI-driven virtual support due to ethical and emotional accuracy concerns [4]. Emphasis is also being placed on partnership working between councils, NHS commissioners, voluntary sectors, and including young people and families in service design to create more accessible, effective mental health systems [2].
Addressing socioeconomic and ethnic inequalities in mental health access and outcomes remains a priority alongside improving treatment rates, which have risen but still cover less than half of those affected [3][5].
In an effort to combat the growing mental health crisis, organisations like Beyond Blue in Australia offer resources, school-based programs, and training guides for individuals dealing with serious mental health issues like depression and anxiety [6]. The World Health Organization (WHO) has also identified mental health as a basic human right, necessary for better connection, function, coping, and thriving [7].
The WHO celebrates World Mental Health Day on the 10th of October, with this year's theme being 'make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority' [8]. Countries like Denmark, Switzerland, and Iceland have also shown that investing in mental health, whether through the art of taking time off to appreciate the simple things in life (hygge) [9], enjoying time spent in nature [10], or maintaining an intrinsic optimism [11], can have a positive impact on mental wellbeing.
References:
[1] Mental Health Foundation. (2022). Mental Health Crisis in the UK. Retrieved from https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/mental-health-crisis-uk
[2] Department of Health and Social Care. (2021). Transforming Children and Young People's Mental Health Provision: A Green Paper. Retrieved from https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/green-paper-transforming-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-provision/transforming-children-and-young-peoples-mental-health-provision-a-green-paper
[3] NHS Digital. (2021). Mental health services in England: January to March 2021. Retrieved from https://digital.nhs.uk/data-and-information/publications/statistical-work/mental-health-services-in-england/mental-health-services-in-england-january-to-march-2021
[4] NHS England. (2021). NHS Mental Health Apps Library. Retrieved from https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/mental-health-apps/
[5] Mind. (2022). The State of UK Mental Health 2022. Retrieved from https://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/about-mental-health/our-position-and-impact/the-state-of-uk-mental-health/
[6] Beyond Blue. (n.d.). About Us. Retrieved from https://www.beyondblue.org.au/about-us
[7] World Health Organization. (2022). Mental Health: A Basic Human Right. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/news-room/campaigns/world-mental-health-day/2022/mental-health-a-basic-human-right
[8] World Health Organization. (2022). World Mental Health Day 2022. Retrieved from https://www.who.int/campaigns/world-mental-health-day/2022
[9] The Local. (2020). Why Denmark has mastered the art of taking time off work. Retrieved from https://www.thelocal.dk/20200113/why-denmark-has-mastered-the-art-of-taking-time-off-work
[10] Swiss Tourism. (n.d.). The Swiss Outdoor. Retrieved from https://www.myswitzerland.com/en-gb/home/things-to-do/activities/outdoor/
[11] Iceland Review. (2019). The Icelandic Mentality: Optimism. Retrieved from https://icelandreview.com/living-in-iceland/the-icelandic-mentality-optimism/
In light of the UK's growing mental health crisis, the implementation of initiatives like strengthening Child and Young People's Mental Health Services, offering flexible support, and recruiting mental health professionals, are aimed at addressing the rise in mental health issues among certain demographics such as young women and socioeconomically disadvantaged groups [2]. Furthermore, partnerships between various sectors like councils, NGOs, and the voluntary sector, can contribute to creating a more accessible and effective mental health system that prioritizes mental health and wellness for all, as advocated by World Mental Health Day [8].
