Mental Health Care Alert: Campaign Aims To End Stigma

For quite some time now, people have witnessed the stigma of mental illnesses and mental health care. And according to new research, young people with mental health problems feel this stigma, a reason why they are failing to get the help they need. But on the occasion of the Mental Health Day, there is a new campaign launched to reach out to these young people.

NHS published the report saying 38 percent of people aged 11 to 24 dealing with mental health difficulties feel stigmatized. Moreover, 54 percent of the respondents said their own friends stigmatized them while 56 percent said they are not willing to seek professional help. YMCA backed this report.

In a timely response to this, a new campaign launched on the occasion of the Mental Health Day aims to end the stigma of mental health illnesses and mental health care by reaching out to those who refuse to seek assistance. Currently running online is the #IAMWHOLE campaign, which has a strong presence in social media. Alongside this is a stigma challenge initiative launched in schools.

According to Sky News, Rizzle Kicks singer Jordan Stephens leads the campaign, while other celebrities like Ed Sheeran, James Corden, and Dermot O’Leary have further backing. Stephens has attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). He stressed the importance of the campaign’s message. His mom works as a therapist; hence he said he has seen the importance of getting the right support and not feeling isolated.

In addition to this, the College of Policing issued on World Mental Health Day its new guidelines for officers who deal with people experiencing mental health problems. It replaced the guidelines published in 2010. According to Michael Brown, they aim to ensure that unnecessary criminalization will not occur to vulnerable people. Instead, these people will get the mental health care or help that they need. Brown is the college’s lead on mental health.

Meanwhile, it is also important to take note that apart from the stigma, there has also been an existing problem on the efficiency of children and adolescent mental care services. The Guardian reported that seven out of 10 specialist nurses say that the services are insufficient. Among the main problems are understaffing and delays.

As of writing, it is safe to say that the campaign to end the stigma of mental health care gives hope to numerous people who need it. The new guidelines, on the other hand, provide more understanding to the different mental conditions and the people experiencing these problems.