This week, the new Office for Health Improvements and Disparities (OHID) launched the latest phase of the Better Health - Every Mind Matters campaign to empower people to look after their mental health and wellbeing and support others.
Mental Health Innovations is pleased to be part of the campaign.
New research commissioned by OHID revealed that the Covid-19 pandemic has had a detrimental impact on many people’s mental wellbeing:
- Nearly half (49%) of adults in England said the Covid-19 pandemic had a negative impact on their mental wellbeing
- A third (34%) of adults said they did not know what to do to help improve their mental wellbeing
- Younger adults reported struggling the most, with 57% of 18-34-year-olds saying their mental wellbeing was negatively impacted by the pandemic
- Just under half (44%) of younger adults reported that they did not know what to do to help
To tackle this challenge, the campaign will show individuals how a number of small things can in fact make a big difference to their mental wellbeing.
When visiting the campaign website, people are directed to a range of free, practical tips and advice and can also get a tailored Mind Plan which, after answering five simple questions, gives them personalised tips to help deal with stress and anxiety, boost their mood, sleep better and feel more in control. Since the campaign first launched in 2019, 3.4 million individual Mind Plans have been created.
This is the first campaign delivered by the new OHID, which is part of the Department of Health and Social Care and was launched on 1st October this year with the aim of tackling health inequalities across the country.
Victoria Hornby, CEO of Mental Health Innovations which powers Shout 85258, the UK’s only free, 24/7 text message support service, said:
"While there may be times in all of our lives when we might feel overwhelmed or low, it is important to know that you are not alone, you deserve support and help is always available.
“Letting someone know how you are feeling is an important first step, but sometimes it can be easier to text than to say the words out loud. That has been the case for more than 156,000 children, young people and adults in the UK who have texted Shout 85258 this year for immediate, free, anonymous and 24-hour support with issues including anxiety, depression, loneliness, relationships, work stress, self-harm and suicidal thoughts.
“Opening up enables you to start making sense of your situation and emotions and helps you to understand about the kind of support that can help. Everyone deserves to be able to access the information, advice and support they need, when they need it, so we are delighted to be part of the Every Mind Matters campaign to ensure that everyone knows that help is available around the clock by texting 'SHOUT' to 85258.”
If you are struggling to cope, text ‘SHOUT’ to 85258 to start a conversation, for free, with a trained volunteer any time of the day or night.