A series of events are being held in the Isle of Man to mark Mental Health Awareness Week 2017, which runs from 8 – 14 May, in support of the annual campaign led by the UK’s Mental Health Foundation.
Organised on the Island by the Department of Health and Social Care, this year’s theme focusses on the topic of ‘surviving or thriving’ – which seeks to explore mental illness from a different angle: what can be done to support people with mental health problems to thrive rather than just survive.
Research shows that one in four people – a quarter of the population – will experience a mental health problem at some stage. In the Isle of Man that’s over 20,000 people. But everyone is affected by mental health issues to varying degrees, such as day-to-day stress. A range of useful tips to help everyone thrive – whether they identify as having a mental health problem or not – has been developed to support people and help them to be more resilient and proactive in looking after their mental health.
Minister for Health and Social Care, Kate Beecroft, said:
'We often talk about maintaining a healthy lifestyle, which conjures images of more exercise and healthier eating to improve our physical health. But just as physical health affects us all, so does mental health. This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week again gives Government the opportunity to demonstrate its ongoing commitment to improving the mental – not just the physical – health of the people of the Isle of Man.
'The DHSC’s mental health and wellbeing plan, published in 2015, is an integral part of the Department’s five year strategy, and with that the Programme for Government. Mental healthcare is firmly on the agenda and we are making progress, but there remains much work to do.
'We must continue to raise awareness about mental health issues and work towards a society where those with mental ill-health don’t just survive their condition but are supported to thrive as part of our Island’s inclusive and caring community.'
Events on the Island have been structured around the ‘five ways to wellbeing’ – an effective and proven tool designed to help people improve their mental wellbeing by taking simple actions in five areas:
- Connect
- Be active
- Take notice
- Keep learning
- Give
Julie Bennion, Specialist in Mental Health Improvement, explained more:
'The ‘five ways to wellbeing’ is a simple, proven and effective tool that we have encouraged people to use for a number of years now. To reinforce its usefulness we’ve structured our Mental Health Awareness Week events around this concept. All of our events will help people to connect and take notice, but we also want to incorporate getting people active, keeping them learning, and encouraging them to join in – giving something back and supporting others in the process.
'Events are important, but the awareness week is also about getting the wider community talking about and learning about mental health issues. It’s important that we continue to champion good mental health as well as treat mental ill-health, and in doing so we challenge the stigma that some people still feel surrounds mental health problems.'
