WORLD Mental Health Day takes place today (October 10th) and Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust is using the day to shine a light on mental health inequalities.
The day is marked every year as a chance to talk about mental health, how to look after it and where to get help if you’re struggling.
Inspired by this year’s theme of ‘making mental health a global priority for all’, we have decided to use the week to shine a light on inequalities around mental health.
Anyone can experience a mental health problem but our chances of having a mental health problem or not are not equal. Our ability to access support is also not equal which furthers the issue.
Highlighting mental health inequalities seems even more apt as World Mental Health Day falls on the same day as World Homelessness Day. The two are sadly interlinked, showing how injustices and inequality in society are closely linked to mental health.
We are using the week to explore the different kinds of barriers that can contribute towards inequality in mental health and how we are working together as a Trust to tackle these.
Look out on our social media channels for #BreakingDownBarriers to find out more throughout the week.
It is also a chance for the Trust, which is the Lead Provider for mental health, learning disabilities and autism services in the Black Country, to reaffirm its commitment to tackling mental health inequalities.
Kuli Kaur-Wilson, Chief Strategy and Partnerships Officer at Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “It is well documented that the pandemic brought into sharp focus the wide inequalities in how people access healthcare, and the outcomes that they experience as a result.
“However, even before the pandemic the connection between poverty and mental health was known. Nationally we were already seeing evidence that health inequalities had actually worsened over the 10 years before the pandemic and in our own Black Country system we had evidence that people with serious mental illness, as well as people with Learning Disabilities, were dying 15-20 years earlier, primarily due to poor physical health.
“As a Trust, and as our systems leader for mental health, learning disabilities and autism we are committed to taking concerted action on the inequalities faced by our citizens and communities.
“Understanding people’s experiences, and providing a platform for everyone’s voice to be heard is essential if we are to break down social inequalities, and encourage people to speak openly about their mental health, so that we, and our partners across the system, can take action - to achieve more equitable access to, and outcomes from, health and care.
“Advancing equalities for, and with, our Black Country communities is a key priority of Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.”
Signposting to support this World Mental Health Day
Black Country 24/7 Helpline
If you need urgent help with your mental health or you are struggling to cope the Black Country 24/7 helpline is here to help you.
The helpline offers a range of services which provide support at times and places when people need it the most. We can help you with advice, emotional support, triage, referrals and signposting.
You don’t need to be referred by your GP or other health professionals, you can just reach out for help when you need it. Mental health professionals will be on hand to help you avoid a crisis and help you find the path to recovery.
Call freephone 0800 008 6516 or text 07860 025 6516.
Talking Therapies Service
The NHS in Dudley, Wolverhampton, Sandwell and Walsall offers a free, confidential, talking therapies service that provides a range of psychological therapies to support people experiencing stress, anxiety, depression, panic or phobias.
They will work with you to find the best treatment for your needs; this could include wellbeing workshops, computerised Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (cCBT), individual therapy, guided self-help and signposting to other support services.
For more information and to self-refer visit Talking Therapies & Healthy Minds Services :: Black Country Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust