IN ORDER to understand ‘mental health’ before meeting with Dr Michael Doherty, vice-chairman of the Royal College of Psychiatrists in Northern Ireland, I drew myself a diagram – a circle in the middle of the page with Mental Health written inside, another circle to the left marked ‘no significant issues’ and one to the right marked ‘issues and conditions’.
Below the middle circle I wrote ‘25th World Mental Health Day’ which is tomorrow, a day when organisers promote understanding of this subject and how to deal with it better. This year’s theme, ‘Mental Health in the Workplace – Help is at Hand’, covers almost every eventuality.
The circle on the left contains issues of everyday living, some age related, others lifestyle. As you get older forgetfulness is common, a long life tires the brain and it’s harder to re-member all the things you have learned. But it isn’t necessarily dementia.
There’ll be sadness as friends die, you’ll feel lonely and isolated, fear may be present as you think of your own death, those you’ll leave behind – all quite natural. Lifestyle throws up problems for everyone; it’s getting faster and it’s more difficult to keep up – that equals stress but not necessarily a mental health issue.
The issues arise when you are no longer in control of that stress, anxieties begin to dominate your life, your memory deteriorates until you can no longer make sense of everyday living.
These are the everyday basics rather than more serious conditions which need specialist attention; these are the first steps when considering common mental health.
“Although no two cases are exactly the same, there is universal advice.
Don’t suffer in silence.” says Dr Doherty. “If you or your family think something is wrong, go to your doctor.
In most cases the surgery will have your history, the doctor will listen carefully, knowing your health background and more often than not give reassurance, check for a simple physical health cause, give advice on lifestyle, treat common mental health conditions themselves or refer for specialist help.
"Managing a mental health issue is all important and, remember, every issue can be helped.
Learning what triggers stress or anxiety and being able to rationalise and control what’s going on is vital.
You need to be brave to take the first step because unfortunately there can be a stigma about mental health – what will other people think of you if you carry this label? Will your family support you? Will you be able to cope if there is something seriously wrong? Do not let this put you off.”
Severe conditions like schizophrenia, bi-polar disorder and autism need specialist attention but with more common conditions the GP can deal with these, often involving the family and carers.
Theresa May’s promise to review the Mental Health Act is good news because, at the moment, routine waiting times with community mental health teams can be up to three or four months which is a long time to wait if someone has a significant mental illness.
It’s even longer if the referral is for specialist cognitive behavioural therapies and counselling. Undoubtedly more investment is needed although people who have suicidal ideas or are very ill can be seen much earlier than routine appointments and on the same day if necessary.
Young people need to be carefully guided and supported with all the stress they have to endure from school, through exams to further education and into the workplace.
Then there's communicating on smartphones and tablets rather than talking, university and college students leaving home for the first time and trying to fit into a new pressurised way of life, new friends to be made, juggling with study – it’s called peer pressure and it throws up a lot of concerns and can lead to hiding behind a bottle or a drug.
Then the spiral is really downward and can lead to terrible consequences.
Too many young people take their own lives for whatever reason but stress and anxiety must be in there somewhere.
And look at people after retirement.
From being in a position of responsibility and respect they often see it as being on the scrapheap and so life can get a bit out of hand, taking up new friendships regardless of other relationships, drinking with ‘the boys’, indulging in a new lifestyle to try to recapture the glory days.
It doesn’t usually work and depression sets in, certainly a common example of unhealthy mental health.
If you break a leg it’s comparatively easy to treat because it’s ‘physical’ health and there’s an acceptable name for your ailment.
With ‘mental’ health there seems to be a resistance from the public to be tolerant and understanding. The media too get a bad press for often giving the wrong slant.
Dr Doherty would like to see more dialogue between media and professionals, although this is already the case, with many dramas featuring specific illnesses.
Wellbeing is a word that comes into our conversation.
“It’s important to be aware, handle problems rather than avoiding them, look for warning signs and take action, take regular exercise, good food.
Sleep is import; don’t abuse alcohol or drugs. Unfortunately some people will develop mental health problems despite healthy lifestyles and it’s vital that they seek help when needed.”
We were talking at the RCPsych in Northern Ireland headquarters in Clifton House, Belfast, whose history is steeped in efforts to assist with mental illness.
“Even 25 years ago most mental illness was treated in large mental hospitals but now it’s in modern inpatient units, integrated within the health service and social services or by a home treatment team.
Most people think it’s hard to treat a mental illness, it’s not. There’s a treatment for nearly everything whether severe or not. Don’t hesitate, there’s help out there from voluntary groups, your GP and specialist services."
:: Important information: Life Line 0808 808 8000 is a confidential service and has trained councillors 24 hours, seven days a week. Questions answered and lists of leaflets at mentalhealthservices.nidirect.gov.uk
