What is Mental Health and do you need to think about yours?
Everyone has mental health just like we all have physical health, it may be good or bad depending on the day, but it is something we should all be aware of.
aIf you twisted your ankle, the actions of your day would change and most people wouldn’t continue to walk on it if there was something else you could do or someone was offering you a lift. If you did decide to keep using it and subjecting it to more pressure you could do far more damage and the healing will take far longer to accomplish.
Mental health should be no different, If something is affecting your mental health, making you anxious for example, then you should feel comfortable asking for help without fear of judgement.
Unfortunately, more often than not, this is not the case there is a perception of stigma in mental health issues and more needs to be done to help and assist those who need it. The Stigma means many people are carrying on like nothing is wrong, which in the short term is (workable) but is not sustainable long term. Persistent feelings of anxiety, depression and worry may eventually manifest into a more serious long term mental illness.
The WHO definition of Mental health is
“A state of wellbeing in which individuals realise his/her potential can cope with the normal stress of life, can work productively and fruitfully and make a contribution to their community."
Business Case for MHFA
The Stevenson Farmer report "Thriving at Work" was commissioned by the Theresa May to look at the needs of workplaces with regards to mental health. They came back with some core findings….. Read More Here
The HSE has recently changed their guidance around first aid in the workplace that organisations should now be focusing on mental health not just physical health.
http://www.hse.gov.uk/firstaid/needs-assessment.htm
Implementing Mental Health for Employers