Today is World Mental Health Day - we celebrate it as a day for global mental health education, awareness and advocacy against social stigma. It was first celebrated in 1992 at the initiative of the World Federation for Mental Health, a global mental health organization with members and contacts in more than 150 countries. On 10th October every year, thousands of supporters come to celebrate this annual awareness program to bring attention to mental illness and its major effects on peoples' life worldwide.
Even today, 26 years on, there is a stigma attached to people’s mental health. A huge step forward has been made this week as a minister for suicide prevention has been appointed in England by the Prime Minister as the British government host the first ever Global Mental Health Summit.
Theresa May said the appointment of Health Minister, Jackie Doyle-Price to the new role will help tackle the stigma surrounding suicide. While suicide rates are falling, 4,500 people take their own lives every year – a shocking figure to read on any day. The appointment comes as ministers and officials from more than 50 countries assemble in London for the summit for today’s meeting.
For me, whilst a huge step forward, this doesn’t go far enough and as a passionate and responsible parent of 4 young children I believe education at a young age is key to not only the prevention of these terrible stories of suicide – but to encourage everyone to talk about their feelings and wellbeing.
I have recently become involved with a charity The Shaw Mind Foundation. Its goal is to significantly reduce suicide across the world within 10 years. They hope to achieve this by developing innovative ways to support children and the next generation to flourish and cope with the emotional demands of modern day life, and by supporting businesses to shape positive mental health and wellbeing in the workplace.
By running to raise funds and awareness for this charity, it has helped me feel stronger with my own metal health – next year I hope to do a sky dive to raise more funds. I feel that my kids will see the difference we can all make – by simply opening up and being honest about how we feel.
While mental health will always be a difficult subject, with continued conversation, the stigma around it will become less and less – as and this reduces hopefully the thousands that suffer in silence will reduce too.