3 minute read

Child Mental Health

Children’s mental health is more important now than ever, I think it is safe to say the society we live-in have countlessly overlooked the importance of it. There should be more awareness coupled with community programmes and forums where parents can have the opportunities to gain the basic knowledge on how to identify these issues within families. Mental health challenges are very difficult for any group of age to identify with or accept and I believe this is mainly to do with the stigma that is attached with it for years. A lot of the time people do not even know that they are suffering with it.

Growing up as Black African child was one the most difficult things for me. I suffered in silence throughout my childhood –adulthood and knowing that as black people, we really struggle to come to terms with issues like this. When growing up with jokes like “you’re depressed? Don’t go say that to your doctor so they don’t drown you with too many medications”, humans do not really understand the power of words and how they can stop oneself from seeking for help. The fact there was absolutely no one who could see through the fake smiles, the over reservedness and the excessive aggressive anger burst outs, was beyond me. There were signs that were ignored, I was failed, I was let down, but I believe we can do better. Authorities can do so much better and as individuals and parents, we can really do better as a nation and people. As adult now I can express myself better but as child I could not find the words hence why I strongly believe it is about time we start having these discussions. A lot of children suffer in silence! It is our duty to help and protect children, and while we do this, it is important to keep in mind that mental ill health is not madness, failure or something to be ashamed of. We all surfer some sort of mental health issues at some stage/ point in our lives. From my personal experience, it is also right to say that the system needs reviewing on its approach towards mental health, putting into consideration cultural differences, language barriers and environmental upbring as these do play a huge role.

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NHS INJECTS £975M P/A TO MENTAL HEALTH

The NHS long term plan to transform community mental health, putting an extra 975 million pounds per year into this plan by 2024. The aim is to help 37000 people/patients who suffer severely with mental health, (psychosis, bipolar disorder, personality disorder, eating disorder, severe depression, rehabilitation needs) by making primary and community health care available, designed to improve patients experiences and outcomes on their journey to better mental health. It is not always just a diagnosis people want or need, mental health services that go beyond their diagnosis are crucial for many. To feel seen and heard as a person rather than an illness/diagnosis. This promising integration will bring togetherness to work towards helping someone’s overall well being. It is societal pressure and expectation to be labeled with an understood diagnosis, but the complexities of being human go so much further than a label and an individual’s well-being should be tailored to their issue, not dismissed and treated with a one-size fits all approach. Each illness has its own eligibility criteria, processes and data systems meaning people severely suffering do not always get the support they need or that makes a difference. This NHS long term plan is also acknowledgement, validating many people’s anxieties surrounding community and professional services. It is clear that the long waiting times and long winded admin can create a risk of people giving up on the system as it feels out of their hands. It can be expected from the integrated model that holistic and people centered care is a priority. Integration of physical and mental health, the integration of primary and secondary care and the integration of social and health care for people with long term needs or specific concerns will receive fast access to high quality care. It marks a significant culture shift. A holistic and community based offer with personalised and trauma informed care. It also aims to meet people’s social needs which are known to significantly impact somebody’s difficulties. The new model is inclusive and proactively ensures people’s individual needs are met.

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