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   Take action against Mental Ill Health - Salford
Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust (GMW) invites you to learn more about mental health this week and to help reduce stigma towards it. Mental Health Action week running this year from 4th April to 10th April 2010 is held each year by the Mental Health Foundation to raise awareness of mental health issues across the country. Because of a lack of knowledge and understanding about mental ill health there is a continuing stigma attached to it, making it very difficult for people to talk about any mental health issues they may have. It is estimated that one in four people in the UK will experience at least one mental health condition in their lifetime. This statistic means that mental health conditions affect more people than asthma, diabetes, kidney disease, breast cancer and prostate cancer combined. Mental health problems can affect anyone at any time. Without support and treatment, mental health problems can have a serious impact upon an individual and those around them. Over 100 people a week take their own life in the UK and a shocking 92 percent of the British public believe that admitting to having a mental illness could damage someones career. Time to Change, a programme designed to end discrimination on mental health problems in England, also reports, that on average people with severe mental health issues die ten years younger than those who don’t, and the discrimination towards them contributes to that. This is because their physical health needs are often dismissed, causing higher rates of heart attacks, diabetes and cancer. Cath Moran, Director of Operations and Nursing, says: “It is important for people to understand more about mental health problems given that one in four of us, or our family members, will suffer from mental distress at some point in our lives. Once there is an understanding, the stigma and discrimination can begin to be broken down and people can seek help and support sooner." The most common mental health conditions that affect adults in England are: · Mixed anxiety depressive disorder, in which a person experiences the symptoms of depression and anxiety. It is estimated to affect one in ten adults in any given year. · Generalised anxiety disorder, in which a person experiences persistent and sever feelings of anxiety. It is estimated to affect one in 20 adults each year. · Episodes of moderate to severe depression, which are estimated to affect one in 40 adults a year. · Phobias. A phobia is an extreme or irrational fear, for example of animals or heights. Phobias are estimated to affect one in 40 adults a year. · Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD), where a person experiences obsessive thoughts and compulsive behaviours. It is estimated to affect one in 75 adults a year. · Panic disorders (also known as panic attacks), which are estimated to affect one in 80 adults a year. Mental Health Myths MYTH: Mental health problems are rare. One in four people will be affected by mental health problems in any one year. Mental health problems can affect people of all ages, from all different backgrounds. MYTH: People with mental health problems are violent. People with mental health problems are much more likely to be the victim of violence. The violence myth makes it harder for people to talk openly about their mental health problems. MYTH: There isn’t much you can do to help a friend experiencing a mental health problem. Just by staying in touch can really help a friend with a mental health problem. For many people it is the small things that friends do, like visiting or phoning that really make a difference. MYTH: People can’t work if they have a mental health problem. With one in four being affected by mental health problems it is more than likely you work with someone who has a mental health problem. However, people who are open about it often find they are discriminated against at work or when trying to find a job. MYTH: People never fully recover from a mental health illness. Many people can and do recover. Alongside professional help, the support of friends and family and getting back to work these steps can help people to recover. GMW provides a range of community and in-patient mental health and alcohol and drug services in Bolton, Salford, Trafford, Blackburn, Wigan and Manchester. It also provides specialist mental health services from its Prestwich site, across Greater Manchester and the wider North West. Source: Greater Manchester West Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust
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