Many great advances have been made in the field of medicine over the last hundred years or so, to the point where we are now able to cure or manage a wide variety of conditions that could once have proved fatal. Maintaining good physical health is consequently much easier for us now than it was for people a century ago. However, whilst we have also made great strides in the treatment of mental health conditions, much less attention has been focused on the illnesses that affect our minds rather than our bodies. As a result, many people try to ignore mental health issues instead of seeking out the treatment they need: an attitude we are working hard to change.

Why We Need to Raise Mental Health Awareness

Our mission to raise awareness of mental health conditions in the UK is motivated not just by our own experiences but by a genuine desire to ensure that everyone who experiences such conditions is able to access the help they need. There are many reasons that mental health should be taken more seriously than it currently is, by individuals, healthcare organisations, governments and employers.

• The High Number of Reported Cases – Roughly 15% of all reported illnesses are related to mental rather than physical conditions but the stigma attached to mental illness prevents many people from consulting a medical professional, which means the actual figure is likely to be considerably higher than this.
• Mental Health Issues Often Lead to Physical Illnesses – Conditions such as depression can lead to serious, even life-threatening physical illnesses, including cancer, cardiovascular disease and diabetes.
• The Cost to the Economy – It is estimated that mental health issues in the UK currently cost employers and the government nearly £120 billion every year. This is equal to 5% of the UK’s GDP and bearing in mind this is a conservative estimate, the actual cost is almost certainly much greater.
• Suicides – 46% of people who die by suicide have a recognised mental illness. As compassionate human beings, this fact alone should prompt us to take decisive action, sooner rather than later.

Whether you are an employer who would like to raise mental health awareness in your workforce or somebody who is concerned about the mental health of other family members, we can help. We offer a comprehensive range of mental health awareness courses in the UK. For more information, please feel free to call and speak to us now on 020 3984 9825.