World Mental Health Day – Stress can quickly spiral into serious mental health problems, MP warns – The Sun

STRESS, angst and worry affect us all.

But let it spiral out of control and these seemingly small things can become a big problem.


That's why Public Health England teamed up with Meghan Markle, Prince Harry, Prince William and the Duchess of Cambridge to launch a new mental health tool to mark World Mental Health Day.

Here, MP and parliamentary under-secretary of state for health and social care, Nadine Dorries, tells The Sun why every one can benefit from taking care of their minds.

Never ignore the signs – they can spiral into serious illness

We hear a huge amount about the benefits of maintaining good physical health.

If we exercise regularly, eat a balanced diet and drink enough water, we will feel better, achieve more and live for longer.

But do we hear the same advice on how to care for our mental health?

Today, on World Mental Health Day, we should all take a moment and consider if we pay as much attention to our minds as we do to our bodies.

A recent survey shows that 83 per cent of people have experienced early signs of poor mental health including feeling anxious, stressed, having low mood or not sleeping.

We should not ignore these signs because left untreated, mild issues can develop into serious mental health problems.

There are steps we can take on a daily basis to care for our minds.

This week, their Royal Highnesses the Dukes and Duchesses of Cambridge and Sussex voiced a short film written by Richard Curtis and directed by Rankin.

The film, in support of the new Every Mind Matters tool from Public Health England, was beamed into every home via national television on Monday evening.

It features many celebrities such as Davina McCall, Joe Sugg, Katie Piper and Nadiya Hussain who have a story to tell and a message to send.

Every Mind Matters is an online tool that provides proven and positive steps people can take to help when and if they self-identify the first stages of deteriorating mental health.

It is evidence based and shows people how to make a real difference to their lives, for example by reframing unhelpful thoughts.

Left untreated, mild issues can develop into serious mental health problems

If you visit the website and take the quiz, it also suggests direct actions that are proven to work effectively.

I stumbled upon creative writing as an aid completely by accident when I realised I was feeling low.

This came at a text book point in my life, just as major change occurred.

My youngest daughter left home leaving behind an empty space that affected me in a big way.

Gone were the gaggle of girls, pouring in through the door on a Saturday night for pre-night out drinks, the demands for food, chauffeuring, and always, money.


I even missed the endless rows about revising for exams, coming home too late and eating junk food.

Suddenly, there was nothing other than an empty nest and I hadn’t been in the least bit prepared.

I didn’t notice my mood slip. I thought the tossing and turning and lack of sleep was down to work.

It was only when I went to the supermarket and picked up a basket instead of pushing a trolley did I feel the thump in the chest and the rock in my throat as the tears began to fall.

On returning home, I picked up my laptop and began to write my first book.

I didn’t know what I was going to write, but as any author will tell you, write about what you know and so I did.

Nurturing our mental health is on the same level and as beneficial as eating greens is for your gut

And once I started, I couldn’t stop. That night, I slept like a baby.

Even when you don’t know what to write, if you just keep those keys tapping, something will happen.

Of course, writing won’t work for everyone.

But the point is, we need to look after our mental health in the same way we do our physical health.

In these challenging days of wall to wall technology and constant demands and deadlines, it is easy to forget that.

We, the NHS, are here to help and our plan to invest £2.3 billion every year by 2023/24 into mental health services as part of the NHS Long Term Plan shows just how committed we are.

Every Mind Matters is a part of our commitment to your mental health and provides you with the tools to help yourself in those early stages.

Reading or making time to do something you know you enjoy is proven to be beneficial and if you are stuck for ideas try introducing creativity into your life.

Nurturing our mental health is on the same level and as beneficial as eating greens is for your gut.

Our mental health is complex and affected by many circumstances – job, relationships and personal issues.

No one can wave a magic wand, but Every Mind Matters will help you to manage the ups and downs.

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