Mental Health Week?

My daughter has suffered and l mean suffered with OCD since she was six years old. She is now 36. It has completely ruined her life, she has struggled to hold down a job, she'll never have children or do lots of things others take for granted. It is upsetting when people remark 'Oh, it's just my OCD' they have no idea what they're talking about. A psychiatrist told me it's the most distressing mental health problem you can suffer from. I live in dread of someone ringing me to tell me she's done something to herself. Hearing and seeing the rituals she has to perform to get through the day broke my heart. She's a beautiful, caring loving girl who has to take lots of medication to calm her brain down and she's been on the internet to try and educate people about the disease. Her help and support has been pitiful. I dread not being around to support her.

missdeke your post I hope was referring to celebrities only,
suicide rate is increasing every year for non celebrities,

I'm not suggesting that some celebrities don't have problems with their mental health but most are in the fortunate position to pay for private treatment. Some of us are not so fortunate.

A few years ago, I was in tears in the GP's surgery crying and shaking. She said my heart rate was through the roof. She couldn't get me out of there quickly enough.

Obviously Mental health is as important as other health issues and should be treated just as seriously. But I must confess i am getting a bit fed up with every Tom, Dick and Harry has to announce that their mental health is suffering. Seems like everyone in show business either is or has suffered from poor mental health. I'm sure talking about your mental health is good for you but keep it within your own circle of friends or family and/or get professional health. Hearing that everybody is suffering can be so draining.

The mental health services in the UK are appalling. My daughter has suffered debilitating mh problems since she was a child but she was in her 30’s before she saw anybody. They came up with a diagnosis and meds but they made her worse. They were going to reassess but mistakenly signed her off. She has tried to get referred again but the assessor said that as she wasn’t trying to commit suicide when she self-harmed, she seemed to be coping alright. She really isn’t and her life is really shut down. This affects the whole family including her husband and children. I despair.

I feel deeply for those who have real mental health problems. I've had friends in this situation. However, there is a problem with society in general, a case of people who are a bit down and fed up jumping on the bandwagon, proclaiming 'oh! It's my mental health' when in reality they just need to get a grip and they'll be fine. This, sadly, takes time and resources away from those who really need help.

The Daily Service on Radio 4 is devoted to Mental Health this week. I know some people cannot get this broadcast, but I manage to get it on my iPad.

Kate

Since I have witnessed grown men crying because they are unable to hold down a job, and been stigmatised for it (as women are, but expectations are still different) I don't take well to people (or policies) that parrot "they're playing the mental health card". More understanding, less blame.

I was in the 'pull yourself together' brigade until my mental health plummeted like a ton of bricks. It was unexpected and terrifying. Anything that raised awareness or helps sufferers feel less like lepers has to be a good thing.

The mental health care in the UK is DIRE !
We all need to support improvements for mental health care ASAP . I am glad there’s an awareness week and that Princess Katherine has taken up the cause . Still it has far to go to compare to their countries .

"Unless you are in a really bad way, there are no services. There is also still a sort of run for the hills look in people's eyes sometimes when it comes up in conversation"

There is: having lived with someone how friendships fell away and The Look. This is one of the aims of the week.

Also as GG13 said

"If we break a bone or have the flu we are not embarrassed to seek help or ashamed to admit to others that we need a shoulder to lean on.

I hope that one day those who have a problem mentally are offered the same help free of judgment from others…"

"Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 12 to 18 May 2025, and this year we're celebrating the power and importance of community for our mental health"

Here is a link the The Mental Health Foundation which promotes "Mental Health Week". The theme is "Community" R/L & online.
Interesting reading.
www.mentalhealth.org.uk/

Crocus5

I think it’s to raise awareness that Mental Health should be taken as seriously as Physical Health. To bring people’s attention to the various Groups offering support apart from the
NHS.

This exactly.

The theme of mental health week is "Community".
Lots about online communities, the advantages and perils.
I think the week is promoted by The Mental Health Foundation.
Needs more than a week.

sodapop

Anything that raises the profile of mental health issues has to be a positive doesn’t it.

I don't know to be honest? It feels a bit hollow and pointless.

Unless you are in a really bad way, there are no services. There is also still a sort of run for the hills look in people's eyes sometimes when it comes up in conversation.

If we break a bone or have the flu we are not embarrassed to seek help or ashamed to admit to others that we need a shoulder to lean on.

I hope that one day those who have a problem mentally are offered the same help free of judgment from others…

Anything that raises the profile of mental health issues has to be a positive doesn’t it.

Not for lack of caring lafergar, the issues are many.

I think it’s to raise awareness that Mental Health should be taken as seriously as Physical Health. To bring people’s attention to the various Groups offering support apart from the
NHS.

This is going well ha ha!