Published 10th October 2018
This Wednesday, 10th October, is World Mental Health Day and this year the theme is Young People and Mental Health in a Changing World.
According to MIND one in four people can experience mental health problems at any given time and World Mental Health Day is an opportunity to show support and raise awareness for this crucially important topic.The theme this year focuses on the need to support young people. Half of all mental illness begins by the age of 14 and suicide is the second leading cause of death amongst 15-29 year olds.
Building mental resilience in young people is becoming a national concern and nowhere is that more apparent than in Norfolk with an extra £1.9 million being invested per year in Norfolk and Waveney. According to the North Norfolk CCG this money will be spent on employing more specialist mental health workers to support schools and colleges so that there can be more help for young people who are experiencing mental health issues. The CCG states that their aim is that 80% of young people and children will be seen within eight weeks of being referred rather than the national standard of eighteen weeks. This is great news for Norfolkand we will be following this progress with interest.
Take some time this World Mental Health Day to think about your own mental wellbeing and be mindful of other people who may be suffering. As MIND says of mental health, ‘everyone has it and we need to take care of it.’
https://www.norwichccg.nhs.uk/news-news-events/203-transformation-plans-for-children-and-young-people-s-mental-health-services
https://www.mind.org.uk/get-involved/world-mental-health-day/