Mental Health Awareness

Mental health affects every single one of us.

How we feel, and how we live our daily lives. But mental health illness refers to a wide range of conditions that relate to how a person:

  • Feels
  • Perceives a situation
  • Behaves

These can range from mild levels to quite severe levels depending on the strength of an individual’s illness. Of which, there are over 200 classified forms.

 

If you have poor mental health, you may find that the ways you reach certain situations and feel about things can become difficult, and in some cases impossible.

The same as if you had a physical illness, a broken wrist would affect your daily tasks such as driving, lifting, and even eating. The majority of people would see their Doctor and undertake appropriate treatment. However, mental health hasn’t always been looked upon in the same efficient way.

Looking after your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health.

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    Mental health has become mainstream in the press and media over recent years, with more and more people opening up about their past and current difficulties with their mental health. However, few of us know how to differentiate between one disorder to another.

    Depression – Around 3 million people in the UK are diagnosed with depression every year, making this the highest and most common form of mental illness not just in the UK but also worldwide. The mental health charity, Mind, has researched that more than half of these people will or have tried to commit suicide because of their illness.

    Anxiety – In a lifetime, most people will have the feeling of anxiousness whilst coping with stressful events or changes, particularly if it has a big impact on their life. 25% of anxiety sufferers are between the ages of 13 and 18 years old. Spotting any early signs of anxiety is essential, especially for young people in order to support them and prevent further mental health illnesses.

    Bipolar – Bipolar is a type of depression that is often characterised by mood swings from one extreme to the other. From feeling really high to crashing to a depressively low mood.

    Stress – Most of us have, or certainly will experience some strain of stress in our lifetime. 85% of UK adults are experiencing stress regularly. Although stress is not a psychiatric diagnosis, it can cause and aggravate underlying mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. An individual may think that this is well-controlled but added stressors can potentially pull these issues to the surface.

    Well-Being Audit (Stress Audit)

    This is a questionnaire based anonymous stress audit for businesses. It enables the employer to understand whether there are significant issues regarding employee well-being.

    It considers the most prevalent stressors in the organisation, whether they are real or perceived and an employee’s ability to cope. A report is then produced for the employer that offers advice regarding approaches that may reduce stress in the workplace.

    Management Referrals / Counselling 

    Our management referral system is confidential, supportive and proactive. All of Acorns nurses are ready to not only give guidance to employers, but provide signposts directly to employees to get help where required. Be it workplace stress, bereavement, addiction or injury, we have a varied team of professionals ready to help.

    Acorn can arrange counselling referrals with trained professionals who complete therapies such as Cognitive Behaviour Therapy. We can also arrange appointments with Psychiatric specialists, depending on the individual’s requirements.

    Well Persons Medical

    This is a comprehensive medical assessment where employees are reassured that they are in good health, or that early action could prevent ill health. Dependant on your requirements, the medical can include blood pressure, pulse, urinalysis, mental health review, vision, cholesterol and glucose checks, a musculoskeletal review, weight and advice about lifestyle, diet and fitness.

    EAP (Employee Assistance Programme)

    Acorn’s Employee Assistance Programme (EAP) is available 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, online and on the telephone. Designed to answer your questions immediately or to refer you to the most appropriate advisor, counsellor or source of information. The service includes legal, financial, consumer and personal advice and it is all completely confidential.

    Contact us

    To talk to a member of the Acorn Occupational Health team about mental health, and the related services we offer, visit our FAQs page, call us at 01260 277797, or email us at website@acornoh.co.uk