World Mental Health Day 2020

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World Mental Health Day 2020

Saturday 10 October is World Mental Health Day 2020. The World Health Organisation recognises World Mental Health Day on the 10th October every year. This year's theme set by the Mental Health Foundation is "mental health for all".

As a result of the Covid-19 pandemic, economic downturn and furlough coming to an end, many individuals will be finding themselves without jobs. At the end of August a report was published that highlighted that due to Covid-19 lockdown measures, twice as many adults in Britain are reporting symptoms of depression compared to this time last year. Widely accepted statistics previously showed that 1 in 4 of us will face a mental health issue at some stage in our lives. It is inevitable that this will rise in the fallout from the pandemic.

Suicide is still the biggest killer of men under the age of 45, with 60-75% of all suicides in the United Kingdom over the last five years being men. Men are also least likely to seek help for mental health conditions. There are a number of charities that target this specific issue and they can be found at the end of this article.

Jon Cruddas MP has spoken out to show his support for those who suffer from mental ill health. At the end of August he wrote to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Matt Hancock MP, expressing his concerns regarding the mental health implications that are resulting from Covid-19. He also showed his support for The Samaritans on World Suicide Prevention Day at the beginning of September and is a long-time supporter of the Time to Talk campaign.

This year to mark World Mental Health Day 2020, the Mayor of London's Peer Outreach Team and Thrive LDN will be hosting a virtual young Londoner-led festival. Attending is free and you can find out more about the events here: https://thriveldn.co.uk/campaigns/world-mental-health-day-2020/

If you too would like to show your support for combating the mental health crisis this country is facing, or feel you need help yourself, please visit one of the links or call one of the numbers below.

Samaritans: https://www.samaritans.org/ // Or call 116 123

CALM: https://www.thecalmzone.net/ // Or call 0800 58 58 58

Movember: https://uk.movember.com/mens-health/mental-health

Mental Health Foundation: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

Wish- A voice for women's mental health: https://www.womenatwish.org.uk/