Mental Health – BACK PAIN BLOG UK…

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WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY TAKES PLACE ON MONDAY 10th OCTOBER, 2022…

October 9, 2022 barmac5

WORLD MENTAL HEALTH DAY – 10^th October – The overall objective of World Mental Health Day is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health.

The Day provides an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work, and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide.

Many aspects of mental health have been challenged, and already before the pandemic in 2019, an estimated one in eight people globally were living with a mental disorder. At the same time, the services, skills and funding available for mental health remain in short supply and fall far below what is needed, especially in low and middle-income countries.

The campaign slogan is Make mental health & well-being for all a global priority #WorldMentalHealthDay

Whilst the pandemic has, and continues to, take its toll on our mental health, the ability to reconnect through World Mental Health Day 2022 will provide us with an opportunity to re-kindle our efforts to protect and improve mental health.

The COVID-19 pandemic has created a global crisis for mental health, fueling short- and long-term stresses and undermining the mental health of millions. Estimates put the rise in both anxiety and depressive disorders at more than 25% during the first year of the pandemic. At the same time, mental health services have been severely disrupted and the treatment gap for mental health conditions has widened.

Growing social and economic inequalities, protracted conflicts, violence and public health emergencies affect whole populations, threatening progress towards improved well-being; a staggering 84 million people worldwide were forcibly displaced during 2021. We must deepen the value and commitment we give to mental health as individuals, communities and governments and match that value with more commitment, engagement and investment by all stakeholders, across all sectors. We must strengthen mental health care so that the full spectrum of mental health needs is met through a community-based network of accessible, affordable and quality services and supports.

Stigma and discrimination continue to be a barrier to social inclusion and access to the right care; importantly, we can all play our part in increasing awareness about which preventive mental health interventions work and World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to do that collectively. We envision a world in which mental health is valued, promoted and protected; where everyone has an equal opportunity to enjoy mental health and to exercise their human rights; and where everyone can access the mental health care they need.

WHO will work with partners to launch a campaign around the theme of Making Mental Health & Well-Being for All a Global Priority. This will be an opportunity for people with mental health conditions, advocates, governments, employers, employees and other stakeholders to come together to recognize progress in this field and to be vocal about what we need to do to ensure Mental Health & Well-Being becomes a Global Priority for all.

For more details on World Mental Health Day head down to the World Health Organisation website here.

The charity Mind writes “Help us be there for everyone who needs us, on World Mental Health Day and beyond. Donate today to get your own limited edition Mind collection.” you can go to this link to donate.

They also said that “One in four of us will experience a mental health problem throughout our lives. Whether that’s you, your parent, sibling, best friend or co-worker.

But most of us don’t get the help we need – this has to change.

Join the fight this World Mental Health Day by funding our life-changing services and information. Help us to campaign for better rights and care.”

If you Donate today and you will receive a limited-edition Mind pin badge, pet bandana or tote bag (or all three!). Wear these with pride and show your support for all of us this World Mental Health Day.

Source: World Health Organisation Mind

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WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY – 10th SEPTEMBER, 2022…

September 10, 2022September 8, 2022 barmac5

WORLD SUICIDE PREVENTION DAY – 10^th September – Every year organisations and communities around the world come together to raise awareness of how we can create a world where fewer people die by suicide.

The latest suicide statistics showed that in 2018, in the UK and the Republic of Ireland, more than 6,800 people died by suicide. Every life lost to suicide is a tragedy.

And we know that suicide is preventable, it’s not inevitable. But not being okay is still widely stigmatised. And governments can still make better, more ambitious plans to prevent suicide.

Every year The Samaritans campaign with over 70 other suicide prevention and mental health groups under the National Suicide Prevention Alliance (NSPA).

Together, they ask governments in the UK and Ireland to make suicide prevention a priority and help raise awareness about how we can support each other better.

This year’s theme, which will be the theme until 2023, is ‘Creating Hope Through Action’, which aims to empower people with the confidence to engage with the complexity of ‘hope’.

For ideas on how to support World Suicide Day head over to The Samaritans website.

Every year the Samaritans campaign with over 70 other suicide prevention and mental health groups under the National Suicide Prevention Alliance (NSPA). Together, they ask governments in the UK and Ireland to make suicide prevention a priority.

They also raise awareness about Samaritans, and suicide prevention and provide tips on how to take care of yourself and others better. This World Suicide Prevention Day, if you’re worried someone might be experiencing suicidal thoughts – they encourage you to ask them directly.

Asking someone if they’re suicidal won’t make things worse. Evidence shows it could protect them.

If someone is feeling suicidal, it might be hard to get through to them. They might be distant or distracted or feel disconnected from the world and their own emotions. They might not respond right away. But asking someone directly if they’re having suicidal thoughts can give them permission to tell you how they feel.

If someone does let you know that they are having suicidal thoughts, always take them seriously. You don’t have to be an expert, just being there to listen and showing you care can help them work through what’s going on. Let them know they’re not a burden and there’s always someone they can turn to – whether it’s a family member or friend, or a 24/7 helpline like Samaritans.

It’s OK to ask about suicidal thoughts. It could save a life. People who have been suicidal have often said it is a relief to talk about thoughts they are experiencing. Just being there to listen and showing you care can help. If they want to talk to someone else about how they are feeling, they can call Samaritans.

Rethink Mental Health writes that in the UK, men are three times as likely to die by suicide than women. In the Republic of Ireland, the rate is four times higher among men than women. While there has been a reduction in the number of people completing suicide over the last ten years, the numbers are still worryingly high. World Suicide Prevention Day aims to start the conversation about suicide and to show that recovery is possible.

To mark World Suicide Prevention Day, the North West London Suicide Prevention Programme is hosting a free event discussing the barriers faced by people bereaved by suicide. To book, please register via our Event Bright page.

Also during this week, their Mental Health Training team will also be running our suicide awareness training. For more details, please visit our suicide awareness training page.

For IASP, World Suicide Prevention Day is more than just one day and their awareness period continues until World Mental Health Day on the 10th of October.

They are delighted to share with their supporters the new World Suicide Prevention Day Awareness Film. The WSPD Awareness film promotes the current theme, ‘Creating Hope Through Action’. The film aims to inspire confidence and light in us all to act, by reaching into a person who may be struggling, by encouraging understanding within ourselves and our communities and by sharing our experiences to impart a message of hope.

Around 700,000 people die by suicide every year, with over 75% of suicides occurring in low-and-middle-income countries. Suicide is a global concern and a serious public health issue in every country; however, suicides are preventable. By raising awareness, reducing the stigma around suicide and encouraging well-informed action, we can reduce instances of suicide around the world.

World Suicide Prevention Day, observed on 10 September every year, exists as a platform to raise awareness of suicide and to promote preventative measures with the aim to reduce the number of suicides and suicide attempts globally.

They encourage you to share this film and use their resources, guides and information on the IASP WSPD website and join them in taking action during this time.

Source: The Samaritans ReThink Mental Health ISAP Back Pain Blog

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TIPS & INFORMATION ON MANAGING YOUR FINANCES DURING THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC…

October 1, 2020October 2, 2020 barmac5

I am sure I am not alone in knowing someone be it a family member, friend or acquaintance who has lost their job due to the pandemic.

I am also sure I am not alone when I say that finance worries can affect your health in a big way. Stress creates many health problems and can even flare up old ones. We are going through an exceedingly difficult period now and getting our finances in order is essential. People suffering from mental health and anxiety due to the Covid Pandemic will struggle even more.

I have spent some time online looking through different sites for information and topics on finance related information. From savings, budgets, retirement planning, mortgages and personal loans and I think the one thing they all have in common is that you need to calculate anything related to your income and outgoings.

Health is something I write about daily and that includes my own health which as many of my readers will know has taken a bit of a nosedive recently. So, I did take a quick look at Health Insurance. I do have my own but like many insurance policies be it for health, home or car you try and keep the monthly payments down by adding on an excess amount which you pay yourself before the insurance company starts paying for your claim. Researching a bit further on the cost of self-pay for health treatments lead me down the personal loan route, to see if that is something worth thinking about before my next renewal.

Loans, according to Bloomberg are not just for anyone even large companies like American Airlines are taking them out but they say that it’s the small businesses, who are the beating heart of the US economy and the ones who have needed Covid loans the most. The UK have Covid Bounce Back Loans for small companies for the same reason. But, what about Mr/Mrs Joe Public who is retired, has saved all his/her life for retirement and is now finding their funds diminishing by the day? This pandemic is certainly something they will not have planned for and although the younger generation may think it’s such a long way off they don’t need to worry it’s important that they understand how no one knows what life is going to throw at us.

I found a great list of expert and useful tips from Forbes on ‘Financial Tips for Surviving Covid-19’, which included making a list of ‘separating wants from needs’, ‘taking advantage of a line of credit’, and or ‘utilizing your credit cards’ and more.

Of course, before trying out anything it is essential that you work out your monthly income and outgoings. Take into consideration that this pandemic may last another six months at the very least and we are about to enter Autumn then Winter when our heating and lighting will be on a lot more than it has been on for the last six months.

Do not be frightened to get in touch with any of your own insurance companies and comparison sites to find the best one for you. It is a minefield out there but if you tread carefully you can get through it. I found this great site called Pigly which has calculators for different loans, insurance and even a budget calculator with budget planning, paycheck estimator and cash flow etc.

Dealing with your finances at any time is not everybody’s idea of having fun but needs must now so look at it with your eyes fully open and not half shut. I am a big fan of the Money Magpie site which also has lots of tips on hidden expenses to include in your budget plan which include ‘optometrist appointments’, prescription medication, books and audio subscriptions, house contents insurance, car maintenance, boiler maintenance and much more. And of course the well known Money Saving Expert’s site has MSE Coronavirus Guides which include Coronavirus Finance and Bills Help.

Once you have sat down and written your budget plan, even if it’s not looking so good it will still feel like you have lifted a weight from your shoulders as you have actually starting doing something about it. Just remember to use reputable companies when looking for any further dealings.