World Mental health Day – The NEN

Over half of all Childline counselling sessions with children in Scotland were about mental health last year

Childline delivered more than 8,000 counselling sessions with children in Scotland last year
This included 4,485 counselling sessions with children about their mental and emotional health and wellbeing concerns
This World Mental Health Day, the NSPCC is encouraging children to reach out to Childline for support on any issues

Over half (55%) of all counselling sessions delivered to young people in Scotland by the NSPCC’s Childline service last year were about mental health and wellbeing.

Between April 2023 and March 2024, Childline delivered 4,485 counselling sessions to young people in Scotland about mental and emotional health and wellbeing, equating to approximately 12 sessions a day.

When discussing their mental health, some of the top concerns that were raised were anxiety, stress, low mood, depression and loneliness.

To mark World Mental Health Day (Thursday, October 10th), the NSPCC is highlighting these figures to show the scale of children struggling with their mental health and to remind them that Childline is a safe place where they can seek help and support.

An 11-year-old girl from Scotland who contacted Childline, said: “I feel so lonely at school, I only really have one friend. What’s harder though is I feel I can’t talk about how much it upsets me.

“My parents seem annoyed or judgemental when I try to talk about my feelings. Speaking to Childline feels like a weight has been lifted.”

It is important for children and young people get help with their mental health at an early stage – through schools or in the local community – rather than waiting until they reach crisis point.

That is why the charity is calling on the Scottish Government to ensure communities have the resources they need to be able to support children’s mental health wherever and whenever they need it. This will require investment in specialist care, counselling in schools and support in community settings.

Any child or young person who is struggling can also contact Childline up to the age of 19 and have a confidential conversation with a counsellor over the phone or online, at any time of the day.

Adeniyi Alade, service head of Childline, who is based at Aberdeen Childline, said: “Growing up can be tough at times and our counsellors talk to children and young people every day to support them with their mental health and wellbeing.

“This Mental Health Day we’d like to remind young people that our friendly counsellors are here for them all day, every day, to talk about whatever is worrying them.

“They don’t need to struggle alone. We can help, whether they are feeling anxious, lonely, or depressed.

“At the NSPCC and Childline we also believe that mental health support should be available in all communities across Scotland and are calling on the Scottish government to implement this to reach every pupil who needs help.”

The Childline website also provides support to young people on the advice pages or resources, such as Art Box, which is a space for children to write or draw about their feelings. Children can also use the service’s Calm Zone, an area of the website with lots of tools and mechanisms to help young people cope.

Drawing or writing can be a helpful way for children to process their emotions, as it can enable them to express themselves and make sense of their situation.

One primary school aged girl from Scotland who contacted Childline, said: “I’m so self-conscious of how I look, my personality, what people think about me.

“It makes me feel anxious. I know everyone is different, but I feel different in a bad way. Reading and drawing are my ways to escape.”

With this in mind, Lidl GB in partnership with Crayola is supporting the NSPCC in their mission to be there for every child needing support with their mental health by launching the Crayola Cosmic Creations and Fantastic Fantasy Activity Tube.

The activity tubes – of which £1 per item sold will be donated to Childline – are designed to give children a creative outlet for their emotions using colouring pencils, colouring rolls, foil art posters and stickers, all with vibrant designs.

Charlie Day, CSR Team Manager at Lidl GB, said: “Supporting young people’s mental health matters hugely to our colleagues and customers.

“That’s why at Lidl GB we’re committed to building on the over £9 million we’ve donated to the NSPCC since 2017, however we can.

“We’re delighted to sell activity tubes in Lidl GB stores that provide children with a calming activity and help them to express their feelings.

“Co-created by Crayola and Hunter Price International, the product will raise vital funds for Childline, and with the contact details on-pack, will help ensure young people have somewhere to turn when they’re ready to open up.”

Young people can contact Childline on 0800 1111 or via 1-2-1 chat on:

www.childline.org.uk.

British Psychological Society: Access to mental health and wellbeing support for NHS and social care staff has become a national lottery

Access to staff mental health and wellbeing services has become a postcode lottery for NHS and social care workers, after funding was cut for the NHS Staff Mental Health and Wellbeing Hubs in March this year.

This World Mental Health Day, the British Psychological Society (BPS) is calling for all NHS and social care staff to have equal access to dedicated evidence-based mental health and wellbeing support at work, wherever they live in the country.

With 17 hubs already closed or closing across England*, struggling staff in those areas are unable to access the dedicated support that’s still provided in localities that have retained a hub.

And, despite a limited injection of short term funding from NHS England to provide one hub per NHS region, which would offer a drastically reduced service for vast catchment areas, this arrangement is yet to be operational.

Some hubs report not having received this vital funding.

With less than six months of this financial year remaining, time is running out for staff who need to access help now. Yet, the need for dedicated mental health support for health and care staff could not be more stark.

The latest NHS statistics show anxiety, stress, depression, or other psychiatric illnesses was the most reported reason for sickness absence in May 2023, accounting for over 502,570 full time equivalent days lost and 26.4 per cent of all sickness absence.

Last year, more than 6 million full time equivalent days were lost in the NHS for mental health reasons.

The BPS’s own research found mental health, stress, and work-related stress was behind nearly one-third(30 per cent or 500,021 FTE days)* of social care staff sickness absence in 114 councils in England last year.

With the NHS Workforce Plan placing responsibility for investment in staff mental health and wellbeing provision with integrated care systems from April 2024, local health and care leaders will make crucial decisions about their staff mental health and wellbeing services, including the hubs, in the next few months.

To date, just one integrated care board has confirmed continued long term funding for its dedicated staff mental health and wellbeing service, and 41 boards are yet to make a decision about the future of their provision from April 2024.

The BPS is urging health and care leaders to make funding for staff mental health and wellbeing support a key long-term priority in their budgets.

Dr Roman Raczka, BPS President-Elect and chair of the Division of Clinical Psychology, said: “NHS and social care staff have the right to be cared for by their employer, as they care for us.

“If and when they need help with their mental health, they have a right to parity of access to the same support services as their colleagues in a neighbouring area.

“The NHS and local authorities have a duty of care to their employees, and it simply isn’t good enough that where you live and work should have a bearing on the level of mental health support on offer if you’re struggling.”

This year’s theme for World Mental Health Day is ‘Mental health is a universal human right’.

More than half of all Childline counselling sessions focus on children struggling with mental health issues

Mental and emotional health and wellbeing is the top reason for children contacting the NSPCC service
Over the past year, more than 4.600 Childline counselling sessions were delivered on the issue to children in Scotland, with over 1,300 of these being related to stress and anxiety
This World Mental Health Day (October 10), Childline encourages children to speak out about any mental health concerns

More than half of all counselling sessions delivered by Childline in Scotland last year focused on young people struggling with mental health issues.

In 2022/23 the NSPCC service delivered at least 4,627 counselling sessions to children living in Scotland on mental and emotional health and wellbeing. Of these, 1,310 were specifically related to stress and anxiety.

This World Mental Health Day (October 10), the charity is raising awareness of the mental and emotional health issues children and young people are facing, and to let them know they are never alone.

NSPCC Scotland says it is vital that children are able to access early intervention support, such as through school, which can prevent young people’s mental health problems from getting worse and potentially reaching crisis point.

The charity believes that a top priority for Scottish Government investment should be in better support for families during pregnancy and in the early years, which can lay the foundations for positive mental health and wellbeing in a person’s life.

Childline continues to be a safe space for anyone under the age of 19 who is seeking help and support, with the option for them to speak to a counsellor either over the phone or online. Last year the service delivered more than 8,500 counselling sessions to children and young people in Scotland.

The top five issues raised by children and young people when speaking to Childline about their emotional and mental wellbeing were:

Anxiety and stress – 1,310 counselling sessions
Low mood and unhappiness – 634 counselling sessions
Depression – 292 counselling sessions
Accessing support and services for mental health – 287 counselling sessions
Loneliness – 210 counselling sessions

A 15-year-old girl from Scotland told Childline*: “I’ve been struggling with even basic tasks lately because of anxiety. I get filled with panic, can’t function and then I get angry with myself, so it gets even worse.

“It’s really frustrating. I want to tell someone but I’m not sure if my problems are important to anyone.”

A 14-year-old boy from Scotland told Childline*: “School and my friends are really stressing me out. I want to focus in class but I can’t do it.

“I don’t want to tell my friends they’re making me feel stressed, I don’t want them to feel like I don’t want to hear their problems, but it is affecting me. Thanks for letting me offload to Childline.”

SUPPORT

It can be hard for parents to accept that their child may be struggling with mental health issues, such as depression or anxiety. However, it is crucial that young people feel supported, reassured and not judged by the adults in their lives.

World Mental Health Day has a focus on driving a positive change for everyone’s mental health. Adults can support young people’s wellbeing in a range of ways, including:

letting them know you’re there for them and are on their side
being patient and staying calm and approachable, even if their behaviour upsets you
recognising that their feelings are valid and letting them know it is okay for them to be open and honest about their emotions
thinking of healthy ways to cope together, like yoga, breathing exercises or mindfulness
encouraging them to talk to their GP, someone at their school or Childline. Especially if they’re finding it hard to talk at home.
taking care of yourself and getting support if you need to. Try not to blame yourself for what’s happening and stay hopeful for them.

Shaun Friel, director of Childline, said: “Young people may struggle with a range of mental health issues throughout their childhood and adolescence. This can be a time of turbulence, and so it’s important that children feel supported and uplifted.

“Ensuring that young people have a network of support, whether that’s in school, with their peers, at home or through organisations such as Childline, helps young people take the first step to tackling these struggles. Childline is here for any child that may be struggling with their mental and emotional wellbeing.”

All children can speak to a trained counsellor over the phone on 0800 1111, via email or on a 121 chat on the Childline website.

Children can also visit the website to find more advice on any concerns or questions they may have about mental health struggles.

Tonic Arts marks World Mental Health Day with Our Common Humanity at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital

Our Common Humanity by artist Juli Bolaños-Durman goes on permanent display at The Royal Edinburgh Hospital this week to mark World Mental Health Day today (Tuesday 10 October).

Our Common Humanity was commissioned by Tonic Arts, NHS Lothian Charity’s award-winning Arts in Health programme. It is one of over 60 major pieces of art and design commissioned by the charity for health care settings, across Edinburgh and Lothians, since the programme was first established in 2015.

These health care settings are often clinical environments, and Tonic Arts works with artists of all mediums, to create work that will soften these spaces and make them more welcoming and calming for visitors, staff and patients.

Our Common Humanity, which will be installed in the Reception Area of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital represents the community of the mental health hospital; tells a story and reflects a gathering of unique individuals; all with their own challenges and joyful quirks.

The piece will not only soften the environment around it, but it is hoped that it will also be a thought-provoking point of interest that will make people’s time in hospital better.

Juli Bolaños-Durman working on ‘Our Common Humanity’ , now on permanent display in the Royal Edinburgh Building reception area at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital – Photo Laura Meek

Our Common Humanity was developed from a series of art workshops run by Juli Bolaños-Durman and Tonic Arts’ partner organisation Artlink with psychiatric patients at The Royal Edinburgh Hospital. Here the patients’ need for connection in the everyday, and the importance of being held, supported, embraced and given a second chance were highlighted.

Juli Bolaños-Durman is an award-winning Costa Rican glass artist and designer based in Scotland. She is known for revitalising waste material by applying various heritage cold-working processes, and her practice is driven by her concern for sustainability and her desire to give both people and objects second chances through her work.

She was commissioned by Tonic Arts to create work for The Royal Edinburgh Hospital because her work is high quality and she places patient and staff involvement and representation at the very heart of the work.

Each element of Our Common Humanity is made from discarded glass which was collected and donated by The Royal Edinburgh Hospital community.

Using local heritage hand-cutting techniques, Juli has carefully deconstructed, embellished, and reused each piece in the making of this intricate work, breathing new life into these discarded objects. With the final display playfully lit to create magnificent shadows that bring the glass back to life.

Artist Juli Bolaños-Durman said: “I want the work to be testimony to our ever-changing journey: powered by trials and errors, vulnerability, and imperfection. Our daily interactions matter and each one of us has the power to make life better; with the support of the people around us and the community we foster.

“We are part of a great community that supports one another – no matter where we come from, no matter what we have been through, which is why engaging with psychiatric patients at The Royal Edinburgh Hospital to make this piece was such an important part of my process.”

Susan Grant, Manager of Tonic Arts said: “There is a wealth of evidence and research surrounding the benefits of arts in healthcare settings and how the arts makes people’s time in hospital better including; a reduction in the need for medication and length of stay, lessening anxiety and stress, and increasing patient and staff wellbeing.

“To have such a key piece installed in the reception at The Royal Edinburgh Hospital not only mirrors the quality of healthcare that you will receive in this building, but also provides a stunning focal point that speaks of our human need for connection and our willingness to give people a second chance.”

Our Common Humanity was commissioned by NHS Lothian Charity for The Royal Edinburgh Hospital. The work has been on temporary loan to the Scottish Parliament whilst The Royal Edinburgh Hospital underwent refurbishment.

It is now on permanent display in the Royal Edinburgh Building reception area at the Royal Edinburgh Hospital.

The lightboxes were designed by Scottish design studio GRAS Architects.

Be Kind To Your Mind

New Every Mind Matters campaign calls on the nation to be kind to their mind to help combat the ‘Sunday Scaries’

New campaign launched after 7 in 10 Brits report regularly experiencing the ‘Sunday Scaries’, mostly impacting young adults
Over four million Mind Plans have been created since the campaign first launched in October 2019
Campaign backed by celebrity advocates Vick Hope, Scarlett Moffatt, Tom Grennan, and leading psychologist Kimberley Wilson

The public is urged to “be kind to your mind” as the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities (OHID)  launches the latest  Better Health – Every Mind Matters campaign.

Ahead of World Mental Health Day, which begins tomorrow on Monday 10 October, the campaign calls on people to do small things which can make a big difference to their mental wellbeing and directs them to free tips and advice.

New research commissioned by OHID reveals almost 7 in 10 Brits report regularly experiencing the ‘Sunday Scaries’ (67%), increasing to three quarters (74%) for those aged 18-24. Work stresses, lack of sleep and looming to-do lists were reported as the top causes of feelings of stress or anxiety on a Sunday

By answering five simple questions through the Every Mind Matters website people can get a personalised ‘Mind Plan’ giving them tips to help deal with stress and anxiety, boost their mood, sleep better and feel more in control.

Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Thérèse Coffey, said: “My focus is on making sure people can get the care they need, when they need it – and that includes for their mental wellbeing.

“The Every Mind Matters tool is a great way to build your mental resilience and help ward off the anxiety many of us feel on a Sunday.”

Famous faces – including BBC Radio 1 host Vick Hope, TV personality Scarlett Moffatt and pop star Tom Grennan, along with leading psychologist Kimberley Wilson – are backing the new campaign and calling on the nation to be kind to their mind and help deal with feelings of anxiety by doing small things that can make a big difference.

The ‘Sunday Scaries’ are shown to peak just after 5pm for many as thoughts and worries turn to the week ahead; with Google searches around sadness spiking on a Sunday as people turn to the internet for help. Searches for ‘trouble sleeping’ also peak on a Monday, reflecting the nation’s struggle to unwind as the weekend draws to a close.

In fact, searches for anxiety have increased 170% in the last 10 years.

To distract themselves from the ‘Sunday Scaries’ young people aged 18-24 are most likely to scroll on social media, whereas those aged 25-32 are most likely to binge watch TV and those aged 33-40 are most likely to comfort eat.

Every Mind Matters is an important tool for early intervention to build mental resilience. Preventing people’s mental health from deteriorating is a key part of the government’s Plan for Patients supporting people to stay well and stay within the community.

Over four million Mind Plans have been created since the campaign first launched in October 2019 and the Every Mind Matters website provides a range of other resources, as well as dedicated support to help parents and guardians look after the mental wellbeing of the children and young people they care for.

Psychologist, Kimberley Wilson, said: “Many people experience a feeling of heightened anticipatory anxiety on a Sunday, otherwise known as the ‘Sunday Scaries’. Often when people feel sad or anxious, they spend time trying to distract themselves, by binge watching TV or spending hours scrolling on social media, for example. But these ‘distraction’ habits can actually exacerbate the problem.

“It’s so important to enjoy every last minute of your weekend and start the week in the best frame of mind. So, if you experience the Sunday Scaries like clockwork every week or feel sad or anxious, try getting active, which can help you to burn off nervous energy, writing down or keeping a diary of what you are doing and how you feel at different times to help identify what’s causing anxiety and what you need to do to help manage it. Small things can make a big difference to our mental wellbeing.”

Pop star, Tom Grennan, said: “I still experience this anticipatory anxiety; it can come out of nowhere, it doesn’t have to be on a Sunday! Sometimes it hits before a show but sometimes it’s just a general feeling I can’t immediately shake.

“I’ve found that keeping up my fitness and really prioritising exercise has helped me stay focused and my other tasks are easier to manage. Keeping my diet consistent has helped too, like staying away from too much caffeine and keeping everything balanced helps to ease anxiety. Do something for yourself this weekend and please be kind to your mind!

TV personality, Scarlett Moffatt, said: “We’ve all been there when you’re trying to relax and enjoy the last few moments of the weekend but can’t stop worrying about the week ahead!

“For me, getting outside and going for a walk with a friend really helps to lift my mood and puts me in the best frame of mind. No matter how much time you have, incorporating small actions into your routine can really help to your mental wellbeing either on a Sunday or whenever anxiety strikes.”

Number of frontline workers seeking support for suicidal thoughts rises by 70 per cent in a year

*Ahead of World Mental Health Day, new data from a leading UK charity reveals a worrying mental health surge.

**New video – called “The Feelings” – helps raise awareness of the suffering many frontline staff are experiencing

THE number of frontline workers seeking help with potentially suicidal thoughts has increased by over 70 per cent in the last year, the Laura Hyde Foundation has announced.

Disturbing new statistics compiled by the UK’s leading mental health charity for emergency service workers shows rising numbers of nurses, doctors, paramedics, midwives, police officers and firefighters are now seeking help.

In the first half of 2022, 946 contacted the Laura Hyde Foundation for support linked to suicidal thoughts. That’s compared to 556 people in the first half of 2021 – a leap of 70%.

The charity, set up in memory of Navy nurse Laura Hyde, says more than 220 nurses attempted to end their lives during the first year of Covid in 2020.

In a bid to raise awareness, the charity has collaborated on a new video which shines a light on the issue.

“The Feelings” aims to raise awareness of the serious difficulties that medical and emergency workers face, and how this can affect them day-to-day if they don’t seek support.

Each of the characters represents some of the actual feelings that workers from the healthcare frontline have been experiencing, including ‘rising dread’, ‘red rage’, and ‘powerless’.

The LHF says it is particularly concerned these issues could become even more pressing due to the impact the cost of living crisis could have on many in the sector, who are already struggling to cope in the aftermath of the pandemic.

They’ve been heightened further by the fact many services are currently overstretched and will face fresh difficulties in the looming Winter period.

Now, ahead of World Mental Health Day on Monday October 10, the charity is issuing an appeal to the Prime Minister, Liz Truss and Health Secretary Therese Coffey to act in this area.

Liam Barnes, the chairman of the Laura Hyde Foundation, said: “These deeply alarming figures expose what we have been growing increasingly concerned about at the Laura Hyde Foundation over recent months.

“And that’s the fact that our healthcare and emergency services are still facing a pandemic. This time however it isn’t Covid-19, it is the state of mental health and wellbeing of the workforce.

“We are yet to see the true effects of burnout, PTSD and many more conditions as a result of this testing time. Plus we now have a cost of living crisis which will only add to the burden many of our frontline workers will face.

“That’s why it is critically important that the new Prime Minister and her new Health Secretary put providing mental health support to emergency workers at the very top of their agenda.

“Sadly, the topic of mental health specifically for healthcare workers remains riddled with stigma. This simply has to end.”

Mr Barnes said there has been a sharp rise in the number of people contacting the LHF seeking support this year. The charity says the number of people contacting them in the first half of 2022 was up 39 per cent on the level seen in the first half of 2021.

Nurses, midwives, medical students and hospital doctors contacted the charities in the greatest numbers.

Of those who reached out more 54% said they needed support for suicidal thinking or activity.

Seventy-seven per cent of the contacts the Laura Hyde Foundation received were from frontline staff aged 40 or under.

The LHF collaborated with the creative agency McCann Health and production company Jelly to make its new animated film, The Feelings.

By anonymously characterising these feelings, LHF hopes it will help frontline workers – and beyond – recognise the warning signs of mental health issues and seek support.

The animation, which focuses on supporting emergency workers, has already won industry praise for its impact. The LHF is sharing and promoting “The Feelings” to help support those in need around Suicide Prevention Day.

Guy Swimer, Executive Creative Director of McCann Health, says, “We were looking for a new way to support frontline workers who’ve experienced unprecedented pressure in the last couple of years.

“Hopefully people will continue sharing “The Feelings” with those who might need to see it, so we can try to help the people who’ve been helping all of us.”

Charlie Sells, Founder and Creative Director of Jelly, added, “While the issues raised will be familiar to many of us, emergency workers in particular have been profoundly impacted in recent years.

“We are hugely proud of this campaign, which encourages our care givers to articulate and speak about their feelings in the hope that precious lives are not lost.”

CASE STUDY:

“Please seek help and do not go through this alone.”

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Gemma Clay, 38, is a nurse and clinical doctorate fellow at the University Hospitals Sussex NHS Foundation Trust. Gemma was a finalist for Nurse of the Year with Nursing Times in 2020. She will be providing quotes to support the campaign.

She said: “The leap of 70 per cent is a shocking statistic. But I am not totally surprised because as a nurse working on the frontline, I see every day the mental ill health many in the service are suffering.

“These findings underline why all organisations across the emergency services must step up and do more to ensure they are supporting frontline workers.

“When I talk to staff, many of them tell me that the cost of living crisis is having a big impact on their mental health. Large numbers are also suffering from PTSD linked to the pandemic and burnout due to the current pressures that exist within the service.

“Stigma still exists in this issue and we need to break it down as soon as possible.

“People experiencing suicidal thoughts often struggle to be heard. This could be due to myths surrounding suicide, such as the idea that talking to a suicidal person can make them even more suicidal.

“Another myth is that people who talk about suicide are attention seeking and difficult to manage, when in fact even though bringing up suicide can be very difficult, it suggests that the person wants and needs help.

“We need discussions around mental health and suicide to be a part of everyday conversations. When we acknowledge the problem it shows strength instead of weakness and encourages nurses to talk and not wait until they get into a state of crisis to get help.

“In my view, communication is vital when helping colleagues. All health professionals need to provide a culture that helps and encourages people to speak up. Knowing what to say and what to do when someone is having thoughts of suicide can save lives.

“My main advice to anyone feeling suicidal is to talk to someone. Don’t stay silent, as it is hard going through this alone. Talk to a friend, a family member or a colleague. If you do not want to talk to someone you know then contact a helpline so you can remain anonymous. But please seek help and do not go through this alone.

“Being open and honest about suicide and your mental health does not mean the end of your career. I have been promoted several times. Talking to someone and having someone listen can save a life.”

Heart Research UK: Health tips on World Mental Health Day

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY

Sunday 10^th of October 2021 is World Mental Health Day. It is an international day for global mental health education and awareness.

Every week, one in six adults experiences a common mental health problem, such as anxiety or depression.

By keeping the body healthy we can also improve the mind, so here are a few tips to get you started:

Meditation

Try setting aside two minutes per day over this week to give meditating a go. Simply find a quiet place, sit in a comfortable position with good posture, concentrate on your breathing and pay attention to your wandering mind.

Stay Hydrated

If you are not adequately hydrated, you may find it difficult to think clearly and concentrate. Try to drink six to eight glasses/cups of fluid each day. Water is a cheap and healthy option. Tea, coffee and juices all count, but these may be high in sugar or caffeine.

Reduce Alcohol Intake
Alcohol acts as a depressant and can have a negative impact on your mental health as well increasing your risk of heart disease. Try cutting down on alcohol by swapping to drinks with a lower alcohol content or having a soft drink between alcoholic drinks.

Good Diet and Exercise Routine

Eating a healthy diet can have a positive impact on your mood. Changing dietary habits can be difficult, but small changes can make a big difference.

Try to plan healthy meals in advance and make sure you include five portions of fruit and veg every day. Being physical activity can reduce stress. Try to establish a realistic physical activity routine that fits in with your commitments.

Kevin Stewart MSP marks World Mental Health day at Cyrenians community gardens

Cyrenians welcomed Kevin Stewart, Minister for Mental Wellbeing and Social Care to the Royal Edinburgh Hospital Community Gardens this week to help mark World Mental Health Day on 10th October.

The Edinburgh-based charity tackle the causes and consequences of homelessness by offering support for people currently experiencing, or at risk of experiencing homelessness.

Their community gardens projects offer mental health support to patients and the local community by providing therapeutic green spaces and wellbeing activities year-round.

Mr Stewart was invited to meet with the organisation to learn about their approach to supporting the mental wellbeing of patients of the Royal Edinburgh Hospital through ward based and in-garden activities.

Representatives from Cyrenians, NHS Lothian, Edinburgh + Lothian Health Foundation and Green Exercise partnership joined on the day, showcasing the power of partnership working to provide long-term support for those who need it most.

Cyrenians Service Manager Lucy Holroyd said: “The gardens are a wonderful safe haven in the heart of the city that provide direct support to patients in the hospital, many of whom are currently participating in long-term health care.

“The gardens complement the ward setting, offering opportunities to reconnect with others and with nature, build new relationships, and in some cases spark a passion for gardening and wildlife beyond their hospital stay, all of which aids long-term recovery, and promotes wellbeing. The work in the gardens is part of Cyrenians wide ranging work preventing homelessness.

“We were delighted to welcome Mr Stewart to our gardens. We hope, like with all our visitors, his time in the garden offered a welcome change of pace from the hustle and bustle of life.”

Minister for Mental Wellbeing & Social Care Kevin Stewart said, “I had the great pleasure of visiting the Community Gardens and was incredibly impressed with the commitment from Cyrenians to working in close partnership with both the Royal Edinburgh hospital and the wider community that has turned this garden into such an important resource to support people’s wellbeing.

“Thank you to everyone involved.”

To find out more about Cyrenians please visit: www.cyrenians.scot

World Mental Health Day: Lockdown spurs 61% increase in mental health prescriptions

– Number rises to 92 per cent for people aged 20-29 –

– Highest level of medication for mental health dispensed in June –

The UK’s biggest online pharmacy has revealed a 61 per cent rise in the number of NHS prescriptions it has dispensed for medication intended to treat mental health conditions since lockdown began. This number is produced when comparing repeat prescriptions dispensed from March to July 2020 with the same period last year.

The data comes as Pharmacy2U reveals the latest trends in its dispensing data, focusing on prescriptions for mental health conditions.

It also reveals that the highest level of items dispensed came three months into lockdown, with week commencing 1^st June seeing over 185,000 medicines delivered to people’s homes as lockdown measures began to ease.

There was a 92 per cent increase in mental health medication dispensed to 20-29 year-olds between March – July this year compared with 2019, followed by a 70 per cent increase to those aged 70-79.

In its role as a national provider of vital NHS services, Pharmacy2U monitors trends and works with the NHS and Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in the interests of improving NHS provision, reducing medicines waste, and supporting the appropriate prescribing and dispensing of medications across the country.

Since the beginning of March, the South West saw the highest percentage increase (90 per cent) for items intended for mental health issues compared with last year, followed by the South East (67 per cent increase) and the East of England (59 per cent increase). Greater London saw orders up 54 per cent on the same period in 2019.

Data from Pharmacy2U revealed that it has dispensed over 4.6 million items of medication and saved over 2 Million trips outside for potentially vulnerable people since March, helping hundreds of thousands of people get vital medicines and helping to ease the strain on the NHS and frontline services.

Phil Day, Superintendent Pharmacist at Pharmacy2U comments: “The last few months have been unlike anything we’ve ever experienced in our lifetime, and it has been particularly challenging and worrying for the most vulnerable who still need access to their repeat medicines to manage ongoing conditions.

“With the prescribing of mental health medications under the microscope at a national level, our responsibility to patients and the NHS is at the heart of all we do. All medication we dispense is requested by the patient and approved by the patients’ GP, who we work with closely to identify any over or under prescribing.

“This helps our patients keep the right amount of medication for their needs, and improves their adherence to their courses of treatment, whilst also preventing over-prescribing and the associated increased costs to the NHS.

“Our state-of-the-art dispensing facility uses the latest technology and industry leading clinical accuracy measures, to help hundreds of thousands of people in need get their medicines safely and, in some part, ease the strain on our partners and friends in the NHS and frontline services.”

For more information please contact the Pharmacy2U press office at pharmacy2u@theacademypr.com.

World Mental Health Day: a message from The President

Dear Friends

World Mental Health Day, a programme of the World Federation for Mental Health, was observed for the first time on 10 October 1992.

The world is experiencing the unprecedented impact of the current global health emergency due to COVID-19 that has also impacted on the mental health of millions of people. We know that the levels of anxiety, fear, isolation, social distancing and restrictions, uncertainty and emotional distress experienced have become widespread as the world struggles to bring the virus under control and to find solutions.

The current worldwide pandemic arose against an already dire mental health landscape that saw mental health conditions on the rise across the globe. About 450 million people live with mental disorders that are among the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide (WHO’s World Health Report, 2001).

One person in every four will be affected by a mental disorder at some stage of their lives while mental, neurological and substance use disorders exact a high toll on health outcomes, accounting for 13% of the total global burden of disease (WHO, 2012).

The World Health Organization (2018) states that every 40 seconds someone dies by suicide. Annually, this represents over 800 000 people that die by suicide, which is more than people dying by war and homicide put together.

For every suicide, there are many more people who attempt suicide every year. A prior suicide attempt is the single most important risk factor for suicide in the general population. Suicide is the second leading cause of death among 15 to

29-year-olds while 79% of global suicides occur in low- and middle-income countries (LMIC). Every suicide is a tragedy that affects families, communities and entire countries and has long-lasting and devastating effects on the people left behind.

This bleak picture necessitates that we ensure that mental health is prioritised now more than ever before.

The World Economic Forum (2018) noted that mental health disorders are on the rise in every country in the world and could cost the global economy up to $16 trillion between 2010 and 2030 if a collective failure to respond is not addressed.

We are faced with an international mental health crisis and have been forewarned over the past two decades of this imminent catastrophe. This has been compounded by the need for psychosocial support and mental health interventions during this time.

Thus, the drive for universal health coverage (UHC), articulated as a key target in the sustainable development goal for good health and wellbeing, is motivated by the desire for health equity across the globe (United Nations. Sustainable development goals: 17 goals to transform our world. New York: United Nations; 2015).

Universal health coverage means that all people have access to the quality mental health services they need, when and where they need them, without financial hardship.

We believe this is possible and it starts with strong primary health care that adopts a whole-of-society approach to health and wellbeing that is centred on the needs and preferences of individuals, families and communities. To make health for all a reality, governments need to invest in mental health.

Dr Tedros Adhanom Ghebreyesus, Director-General of the World Health Organization stated: “The world is accepting the concept of universal health coverage. Mental health must be an integral part of UHC. Nobody should be denied access to mental health care because she or he is poor or lives in a remote place.”

This statement necessitates that under the current global health emergency no-one should be denied mental health care. Psychosocial support and mental health national plans need to address the mental health consequences of the COVID-19 pandemic and its impact on citizens.

It is therefore of great significance and importance that the theme for World Mental Health Day 2020 will be:

Mental Health for All
Greater Investment – Greater Access

Mental health is a human right – it’s time that mental health is available for all. Quality, accessible primary health care is the foundation for universal health coverage and is urgently required as the world grapples with the current health emergency.

We therefore need to make mental health a reality for all – for everyone, everywhere.

I believe this call to action will be strengthened through our alliances, collaborations and partnerships to ensure that investment in mental health is prioritised, particularly during this time within the content of COVID-19.

It is also a time in which we can capitalise on the resilience displayed by individuals and communities who relaunched, regenerated and rediscovered themselves and their communities to be responsive during a time of crisis, as well as a time of great reflection and finding creative solutions and interventions to facilitate a mental health response in an emergency context despite social distancing or “lockdown”.

We invite you to join our call to action in highlighting the need for greater investment in mental health particularly during this global health emergency and thereafter. World Mental Health Day isn’t simply a one-day event.

We need to start now and continue our call to ensure that no-one is left behind. A great opportunity is provided to focus on the call for greater investment in mental health for all as we lead up to 10 October.

Together we are stronger and together we can make a big difference all over the world.

World Mental Health Day aims to raise awareness in the global community about the critical mental health agendas – with a unifying voice through collaboration with various partners – to take action and to create lasting change through the messages we promote.

We are all in this together and together we can bring about mental health for all.

Best regards

Dr INGRID DANIELS

President, World Federation for Mental Health