Encouraging conversations around mental health

There is a harsh reality to mental health in the North East. Statistics show the area has the third-highest rate of common mental health problems for adults in the country, a high incidence of severe mental health conditions and the highest rates of adolescent self-harm. The region also has the highest levels of alcohol use and substance-related deaths in the country. This is compounded by an understaffed and saturated mental health service.

It’s a stark and sobering reminder of the work to be done with regard to mental health.

As today is World Mental Health Day, I wanted to pen my thoughts on the crisis and understand what we can do to help. It’s a cause close to my heart, having struggled with my own mental health in the past.

The last two years have left us, as a nation, reeling. The fear and anxiety caused by the pandemic affected many. According to the charity Mind, around a third of adults and young people said their mental health has got much worse since March 2020. And with a cost of living crisis looming alongside an already overburdened population, things may get worse before they get better.

As business leaders, I know we often feel our team’s problems keenly. They are, after all, our responsibility, and we want to do right by them. But in doing so, we must ensure we also look after our own health. A business without a strong and resilient leader won’t flourish, and also won’t be able to take care of the needs of others.

I talked to Katie Devereux from the charity Headlight Project, which supports bereaved families following suicide and raises awareness of mental health. One of the aims of the charity is to open up the conversations around suicide and reduce stigma.

I asked Katie what we can do if we believe someone is struggling and what are the right questions to ask.

She told me: “Asking someone about suicide, and whether they are considering it, can be very daunting. But having the courage to ask the question when you can see someone going through a difficult time makes all the difference. And it can be as simple as asking, are you ok?

“It can be distressing to be in a situation where someone is in turmoil, but just being with them and offering care and compassion is invaluable.”

The Headlight Project has a broad range of services to help those who are dealing with the suicide of a loved one. These services include one-to-one counselling for adults and play therapy for children. This provides a safe space for those impacted to explore their emotions. The charity also offers EMDR therapy, a specific trauma therapy.

In response to my question on what people should do if they are struggling, Katie added: “It’s imperative to talk. Just being able to open up and offload, whether that’s to a professional, friends or colleagues, having that conversation is key.

“Equally, exercise is great for boosting your mental health, as is being outside in nature or trying something new. Finding the motivation to get outside and exercise can be tricky when having a low day, but those are the days when it is most important because it will ultimately make you feel better.”

The Headlight Project is also involved in several campaigns to raise awareness of mental health. One such campaign is Turn Blue Monday Bright, which aims to ‘brighten’ the most depressing day of the year, the third Monday in January.

The team do a fantastic job, which is why I am so proud to support them in achieving their goals quickly and effectively.