Societal expectations and perception that seeking help is a sign of weakness means men are 40 per cent more likely than women to hide a mental health problem for two years or longer, and this is having fatal consequences.

On a positive note, there is much more awareness around this gender split.  Organisations, charities, celebrities and the media are all doing more to shine a spotlight on this issue and help to destigmatise the subject.

In addition, technology is playing an increasingly vital role in helping individuals to take the first step to seeking help. More GP surgeries are now offering remote appointments over the phone or via video chat, which we know from our own experience at Caridon Foundation of working with men suffering mental health issues, this can be preferable. Sometimes people find it very hard to explain their feels and fears face-to-face, but over the phone can feel less intense.

In addition, people can access NHS talking therapies or psychological therapies via self-referral online. This eliminates the requirement of speaking to a GP at all and can be preferable for some men who do not feel comfortable asking for support due to the stigma associated with it. E-therapy can also be provided to help people start treatment from the comfort of their home.

More information on this can be found HERE

The NHS also provides a range of mental wellbeing audio guides for people who perhaps don’t feel ready to speak to someone but need some guidance on navigating feelings of anxiety or low mood. These can be found HERE

There has also been a reported rise in mental health app usage and searches during the pandemic. In the digital world we now live, accessing information support via an app can be ideal for those who wish to remain completely anonymous and explore what they are feeling further before speaking to a medical practitioner.

A list of Apps recommended by NHS to help people manage their emotions, negative thoughts, and urges to self-harm can be found HERE

The main point of these services is to help remove pressure and fear for those who recognise they need some support but don’t know where to go to get it or are afraid to speak out.

Don’t suffer in silence. Please take your first step to positive mental health today.

#CaridonCares #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek

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According to Office for National Statistics report, around 1 in 5 (21%) adults experienced some form of depression in early 2021 (27 January to 7 March); this is an increase since November 2020 (19%) and more than double that observed before the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic (10%).

As an organisation (Caridon Foundation) that works with vulnerable tenants, it is concerning to learn that those most likely to experience some form of depression are younger adults and women, disabled and clinically extremely vulnerable adults and people who rent homes as opposed to homeowners.

Caridon Foundation aims to help tenants who struggle to manage their finances and as a result, may face the risk of eviction. Focusing on financial characteristics, the pandemic has accelerated many financial fears, with around 1 in 3 (35%) adults who reported being unable to afford an unexpected but necessary expense of £850, experiencing depressive symptoms in early 2021, compared with 1 in 5 (21%) adults before the pandemic.

In addition, for working age adults aged 16 to 64 years, those with lower gross personal incomes of less than £10,000 a year had the highest rates of depressive symptoms (37%) when compared with all higher income groups.

The complexities and breadth of mental health cannot be examined in a single report, but what the data does show is that the impact of the pandemic on mental health is real and far reaching. Whilst lockdown eases, people can reunite with loved ones and businesses can start to recover losses, but for some people tackling the lasting damage to their mental health could take much longer.

The signs of mental illness can vary from person to person depending on a number of factors and can affect thoughts, emotions and behaviours in a range of different ways. It may start with simply feeling sad and down, having excessive fears or worries but lead on to suicidal thoughts. Symptoms may include excessive mood changes, extreme tiredness and low energy or trouble sleeping, an inability to cope with daily issues and a desire to turn to alcohol or drugs to cope.

We would urge any of our tenants who feel that their mental health is suffering to contact their Caridon Foundation support worker today.

#CaridonCares
#MentalHealthAwarenessWeek
#MHAW

The post Mental Health Awareness Week – The Impact of the Pandemic appeared first on Caridon Foundation.