Mental Health is a topic that has a storied past. It has often been seen as something of a taboo subject, something that lurks in the shadows, but is never openly acknowledged or discussed. Recently however, with developments in scientific research and greater societal understanding, mental health, and mental illnesses are being given the consideration and understanding they have long deserved and needed.
The leading Mental Health charity in the UK is Mind, which was formed nearly seventy years ago, after the Second World War under the National Association For Mental Health. Since then Mind has campaigned tirelessly to ensure mental health remains at the forefront of the national conversation, and that it receives the attention and funding it needs.
The Phoenix Newspaper interviewed Alison Kerry, the Head of Media at Mind to discuss Mind’s work in raising awareness for Mental Health and how the recent focus on mental health has changed and influenced the discussion.
Ms Kerry was very clear that since Their Royal Highnesses The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge, and Prince Harry got involved in the mental health discussion, through their charity Heads Together, interest in mental health has grown. Indeed, interest in discussing mental health, with people sharing their stories, and calling into Mind’s helplines for help has been unprecedented. Alison Kerry stated that she has seen an increase concurrent with royal activity, of people feeling more willing to discuss mental health, and the issues surrounding it, so that it is no longer a taboo subject.
The more discussions had around mental health, the less dangerous a topic it will become for people to discuss, as Ms Kerry pointed out during our interview. The more willing people are to discuss their mental health, the more that can be done to help them, and ensure that nobody is left to suffer alone.
Increased discussion about mental health is good, Ms Kerry said, however, that should only be the start. Reduced funding to mental health services is lowering the quality of treatment that patients are receiving, it is increasing waiting times for people suffering from mental health issues, and it is also ensuring that though people might be willing to discuss their concerns, they aren’t willing to be treated. To Alison Kerry, in order to reverse this worrying trend, people need to be more active in campaigning, for when people campaign they are spreading awareness of the issue at hand, and are more likely to be listened to. Keeping mental health in the public attention is important, and should not be taken lightly.