Charity Mind UK have released their Big Mental Health Report 2024.
From mind.org.uk November 2024:
“We’ve brought together data about mental health problems, stigma and discrimination, alongside real people’s experiences, into one annual report, to give a full picture of the state of mental health right now.
The current mental health crisis is one that cuts across all areas of life – from housing, to benefits, employment and more. This report paints a picture of worsening mental health across England and Wales and services struggling to keep up with demand.
We want the data and insights in the report to give people a clear view on what’s happening now so that collectively, we know where we need to focus our efforts. It will help us end the mental health crisis and make sure no mind is left behind.”
A summary of recommendations from the report:
1. Making sure people with a mental health problem get quality care on time.
2. Supporting young people with their mental health
3. Tackling mental health stigma and discrimination
4. Dealing with the social factors affecting mental health
Forward from MIND UK CEO., Dr Sarah Hughes, CEO
“We’re currently in the middle of a mental health crisis. The scale and severity of mental health need is spiralling, but too many of us aren’t getting the help we need. A lack of funding and resources, financial insecurity, racism, discrimination, stigma – they’re all playing a part in the problems many of us are facing. The system is at breaking point and without urgent action things will get worse. This would be a catastrophe for people and their communities. Living with a mental health problem often cuts across multiple areas of somebody’s life. – from healthcare and education, to benefits and employment, relationships and identity. It’s not just the NHS that protects and supports us – the causes and protective factors for our mental health lie all around us, in the communities we live in and the lives we lead. We’re clear that things must change, but crucially, can change. But to address the mental health crisis, we need to really understand it first. That means having a clear, consistent source of information that lays out what’s happening and where improvements are needed.
The Big Mental Health Report is designed to do just that. For the first time, we will have an annual overview of the state of mental health in England and Wales from the latest available evidence. It brings together publicly available data about mental health, stigma and discrimination alongside the voices of people with first-hand experience of living with a mental health problem. Our annual almanac will offer a reliable source of information so that we all know exactly what we are talking about. As well as highlighting the progress that’s been made, this report focusses on areas where we need to go further to create a mentally healthy society. These are not new ideas – we have had the same answers to the causes of mental illness and the solutions to this crisis, for many years. But we will only start to see a real difference if Governments lean into these ideas and invest in mental health with a vision that truly deals with the long-standing challenges. This is vital in ensuring people don’t experience poor mental health because of social neglect, or fail to get the help they need, when they need it.
Mind has for years led the way with many positive changes we have seen in mental health. People can talk about their mental health in ways they couldn’t when I started my career. However, in recent years we have seen a decline in attitudes, the progress we have made still vulnerable to social and political tensions and pressures. We are especially concerned for those of us with serious mental illness, which is why we have decided to go big on our anti-stigma work. Our hope for this report is that it contributes to a rebalancing of focus so that those who need our support the most, are able to get it. The time is now. This report will give you the information you need to be part of the social movement for better mental health. Use the information here to understand what is and isn’t working and to push for better. The declining mental health of the nation should not be inevitable – we have the collective power to change it. Thank you for your support.”
Read the full Big Mental Health Report 2024 here: https://www.mind.org.uk/media/vbbdclpi/the-big-mental-health-report-2024-mind.pdf
Want some additional help to support the mental health and wellbeing of your students and learners? Read our blog post https://amhie.com/news-scaremongering-childrens-mental-health/