Mental health problems are common - but nearly nine out of ten people who experience them say they face stigma and discrimination as a result. This can be even worse than the symptoms themselves. Time to Change is England's biggest programme to challenge mental health stigma and discrimination.
There are lots of things you can do to help spread the word about Time to Change, to get people talking about mental health, and support friends, family or colleagues.
We all have mental health, like we all have physical health. Both change throughout our lives. And, like our bodies, our minds can become unwell.
Mental health problems might actually be more common than you think. One in four of us will be affected by mental illness in any year. The effects are as real as a broken arm, even though there isn’t a sling or plaster cast to show for it.
There are a number of different types of mental health problem, and they each have a different impact on the individuals who experience them. Learning more about different mental health problems may help you to support a loved one who’s going through a hard time. Spreading knowledge about different mental health problems is also important in combating the stereotypes that often cause stigma and discrimination.
This is not an exhaustive list of mental health problems. You can find out more about the symptoms and treatments for different mental health problems from the Rethink Mental Illnessand Mind websites.
Anxiety disorders happen when someone has feelings of anxiety that are very strong or last for a long time. Find out more about anxiety disorders and read blogs about anxiety.
Bipolar disorder is characterised by the experience of swings between low mood and high, manic mood, usually with more normal phases in between. Find out more about bipolar disorder and read blogs and personal stories.
Depression is characterised by the persistence of feelings of sadness or misery. Find out more about depression and read blogs and personal stories.
Eating disorders can occur when someone has a relationship with food that they find difficult. Find out more about eating disorders and read blogs and personal stories.
Obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) is an anxiety disorder where unwanted thoughts, urges and repetitive activities become an obstacle to living life as someone wants to. Find out more about obsessive-compulsive disorder and read personal stories.
Someone might have a personality disorder if their personality traits cause regular, long-term problems in the way they cope with life. Find out more about personality disorders and read personal stories.
Schizophrenia is a mental illness that occurs when the parts of the brain that are responsible for emotion and sensation stop working properly. Find out more about schizophrenia and read personal stories.
For more information on what you can do, or how you can help your colleague, follow the link
http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/talking-about-mental-health
And finally, how much do you know about Mental Health?? Click on the link and take the Mental Health Challenge............ We hope you lear something1
http://www.time-to-change.org.uk/mental-health-quiz