ENDING STIGMA
It’s Mental Health Awareness Week 2019 – how many people experience mental health problems in the UK?
THE Duke of Cambridge has teamed up with the FA and Heads Together and launched a new project which will use football as a way to get more men talking about mental health.
Prince William, who is the president of the FA, met with grassroots football players, coaches and fans from clubs up and down the country at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday, May 15.
The Duke delivered a speech on how the project will support work already happening across the UK to end stigma surrounding mental health.
But how many people experience mental health problems in the UK?
Here, we look at the important message being shared by the royal, and what the theme of this year's Mental Health Awareness Week is.
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When is Mental Health Awareness Week 2019?
Mental Health Awareness Week 2019 is taking place between Monday, May 13, and Sunday, May 19.
The event is coordinated by the and this year's theme is Body Image, how we think and feel about our bodies.
New online surveys conducted by the organisation with YouGov in March 2019, highlighted that one in five adults felt shame, just over one-third felt down/low, and 19 per cent felt disgusted because of their body image in the past year.
One in eight adults experienced suicidal thoughts or feelings because of concerns about their body image, while just over one in five adults said images used in advertising had caused them to worry about their body image.
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What is Prince William doing about mental health?
Heads Together and The Football Association, fronted by Prince William, have joined forces and launched a new project to get more men talking about mental health.
The Duke of Cambridge met with grassroots football players, coaches and fans from all over the country at Wembley Stadium on Wednesday, May 15.
Speaking about the campaign, the Duke of Cambridge said: "As President of The FA I saw an opportunity to bring the sport I love – that many men talk about more than anything else in their lives – to help lead the next phase of the conversation.
"Over the last two years, we've been working behind the scenes to decide the best way to harness the power of football to change the way men think about mental health.
"Heads Up will show men that we all have mental health just like we have physical health. Building on the amazing attitude that led England to the World Cup Semi-Finals, it will show us all that mental fitness is just as important as physical fitness."
Heads Up aims to use the power of football to help show the world mental health is just as important as physical health.
They want to build on tackling stigma and drive the conversation on mental health.
The Duke of Cambridge, along with TV and music stars, also recorded a radio message to mark the start of Mental Health Awareness Week - highlighting the value of listening to a friend in need.
The minute-long message featuring Prince William with Katy Perry, Stephen Fry, Jameela Jamil and Alesha Dixon, was broadcast simultaneously across hundreds of UK radio stations on Monday, May 13.
The five spoke about the value of listening and the positive role it can play in our mental health.
Stephen Fry said in the Mental Health Minute: “There are people out there, desperate to be heard. And you can help by taking the time to listen.”
Prince William added: “Being able to talk about how you’re feeling is essential for keeping mentally fit and healthy. So maybe now is the time to stop and to really listen.”
Their message emphasises the importance of talking about mental health, how listening cannot be underestimated, and how each and every one of us has the power to make a difference.
Led by Radiocentre, the industry body for commercial radio, and working with Heads Together, the mental health campaign spearheaded by Prince William's Royal Foundation, the message marked the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Week and Radio Audio Week.
It came a few days after Meghan and Prince Harry teamed up with Prince William and Kate for a new charity project, '', that supports people experiencing a mental health crisis.
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How can you get involved with Mental Health Awareness Week 2019?
During Mental Health Awareness Week, the Mental Health Foundation is looking at body image issues across a lifetime - including how it affects children and young people, adults and people in later life.
The organisation is using its research to continue campaigning for positive change, and publish tools to help improve our relationship with our bodies.
Supporters are encouraged to .
Hundreds of events are taking for the week.
Share your activities during the week on social media using the hashtag #BeBodyKind.
The green ribbon is the international symbol for mental health awareness.
Many celebs have spoken out on the subject, including Love Island favourite Olivia Attwood, who says that reality stars are being abused online, and that those in her industry are particularly vulnerable to mental health issues.
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How many people have mental health problems in the UK?
Mental health problems are a growing public health concern.
According to , about one in four people in the UK will experience a mental health problem each year.
In England, one in six report experiencing a common mental health problem such as anxiety and depression in any given week.
Mind says that while the overall number of people with such problems hasn't changed significantly, "worries about things like money, jobs and benefits can make it harder for people to cope".
Reports from both England and Wales suggest that about one in eight adults with a mental health problem are currently receiving treatment.
Medication is reported as the most common type of treatment.
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What to do if you feel you need help?
You should go and see your GP if you have experienced the following:
- You've been feeling depressed for more than a few weeks
- Your anxiety is affecting your daily life
If you want to talk to someone immediately, the NHS page includes organisations you can call for help, such as Anxiety UK and Bipolar UK.
The helpline is on hand 24 hours a day and 365 days a year, for people who need to talk to someone in confidence.
You can call 116 123 free today to access the helpline.
LATEST HEALTH NEWS
If you've had thoughts of self-harming or are feeling suicidal, you should contact someone you can trust immediately, whether that is a GP, or a friend or relative.
Mind points out that it can be hard to know what to do when .
It provides online information aimed at helping friends, family, carers and others to give support - and take care of themselves too.
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