CoppaFeel! founder Kris Hallenga tells us what we can do for Mental Health Awareness Week
APART from a rather big wedding this weekend, there’s something else of importance we need to talk about.
It is Mental Health Awareness Week – and there are a few things we can do to make sure it’s not lost in the royal hubbub.
Eating disorders, depression, anxiety, suicide and many more issues are being suffered by thousands every day in the UK.
My awesome pal, mental health advocate Natasha Devon, is on a mission to make it a legal requirement for a mental health first aider to be in every workplace.
According to research, one in six people has a mental health issue at work. I bet you don’t know who that one person in your office is.
As Natasha says, we have a first aider if someone cuts their finger. But who is around when someone struggles to hold a conversation or is frozen by depression?
It would be OK if people could easily get help outside work, but the waiting list for a counsellor or therapist can be long.
It’s good business all round to ensure our mental wellbeing is taken care of. The time people take off for mental health represents the biggest cost to UK businesses.
Last week, singer Scott Hutchison, of band Frightened Rabbit, was found dead at the age of 36. It has since been revealed he had suffered from depression and wrote a song about suicide.
His talent, potential and all the love his family and friends had for him couldn’t overcome whatever demons he had.
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In 2014, a Help Musicians UK survey of more than 2,000 musicians found 495 had experienced frequent signs of anxiety and panic attacks. A similar survey by the charity in 2017 suggested that had risen to 1,569.
It’s reassuring a helpline has been set up by Help Musicians UK, which will offer advice for musicians and those working in areas such as management, touring and on record labels.
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If you agree that more needs to be done in the workplace, go to Natasha’s campaign website and get signing the petition at wheresyourheadat.org.
Then why not give a mate a call and ask them how they are doing?
You never know, it may make their day a whole lot better.