Walking an talking is the answer to better mental hea

THE UK is facing a mental health crisis and one in four people will experience mental health problems this year, according to the charity Mind.

The number of people receiving medication for anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and panic attacks has also more than doubled over the last decade.

But while mental health problems seem to be increasing, talking treatments like counselling and cognitive behavioural therapy can be difficult to access on the NHS.

Government targets say that people with mental health problems should be able to have talking therapy within 18 weeks of referral, but in some cases, it is even longer. And the distance people have to travel for NHS therapy is increasing, according to the British Medical Association.

Things are getting worse not better. Between 2014-15 and 2016-17 there was a 40% increase in patients being sent more than 30 miles for treatment. One person was even sent from Somerset to the Highlands for therapy.

TV therapist Steve Mckeown is determined to do something to help. This April, he will be walking from Eastbourne to Southampton to raise awareness of mental health issues.

The 90-mile walk, which will take place between April 5 and 8, is intended to give members of the public a chance to access Steve’s therapy and coaching services for free.

“My services are unique because I have a lot of different specialisms, from neuro-linguistic programming, to psychoanalysis, counselling, cognitive coaching and hypnosis,” says Steve. “All those things combined mean I can generally find a tool to help someone who is suffering from mental health problems.”

Members of the public will be invited to join Steve on the walk and talk about their mental health issues.

“Walking is a great way to tackle mental health problems because of the endorphins that are created by doing it. People can turn up and walk with me for as long as their legs will carry them,” says Steve.

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