Read: New Government agency focuses on mental health for its first campaign
New figures show that nearly half of all adults in England say that the pandemic has negatively impacted their mental health, with more than a third - 15 million people - saying they did not know how to improve it. That is not surprising, given COVID-19’s effects on every single one of us – on our physical health, our relationships with family and friends, our ability to travel and on our jobs.
Sadly, it is young people who are struggling the most, with 57 per cent of 18- to 34-year-olds saying that their mental wellbeing had been negatively impacted. Just under half admitted that they did not know what to do about it.
The research was commissioned by a new government agency, the Office for Health and Improvements and Disparities, which has been set up to tackle health inequalities across the country. It has targeted mental health for its first campaign. Every Mind Matters urges the public to find out what works for them in supporting their mental wellbeing. People can get a tailored ‘Mind Plan’ which gives them personalised tips to help deal with stress and anxiety, boost their mood and sleep better. It also offers tips and advice to help people feel more in control.
The campaign is supported by a group of leading mental health charities, including CALM, The Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Innovations, together with a number of commercial, third sector, NHS and local authority partners, who will share mental health messages with their customers, members and colleagues, including Mental Health First Aid, carers organisations and more.
Without action, the crisis in mental health as a result of the pandemic has the potential to wreak lasting social and economic damage, particularly on our most disadvantaged communities. It could prove to be a significant barrier to the Government’s levelling up agenda. The work that the Purpose Coalition is carrying out with its partners in business, education, local authorities, NHS Trusts and others seeks to break down the barriers that can exist for their colleagues, customers and communities, ensuring that mental wellbeing underpins its success.
Persimmon, one of the UK’s leading housebuilders, for example, has overseen a big increase in the mental wellbeing guidance and support it offers its colleagues, with the provision of mental health awareness courses and the training of mental health first aiders. At the same time, it is working to raise awareness of mental health issues more broadly in the construction industry.
It is important that we all play a part in addressing mental health issues, individually and collectively. Some people will need more help than others but if the support is there to tap into, especially when problems first emerge, it can make a crucial difference in enabling everyone to have equality of opportunity.
Seema Kennedy OBE, Levelling Up Goals Co-Chair; former Minister for Public Health, Home Office Minister, and the Prime Minister's Parliamentary Private Secretary
