Education the key in mental health battle

Significant strides have been made recently as public services attempt to grapple with the prevalence of mental health issues. Headlines have shown just how big a problem illnesses such as depression and anxiety are, with young children among those being given medication for a range of complex conditions.

While physical health is something most of us feel at least relatively comfortable talking about, breaking down the stigma associated with mental health conditions has proven to be an enduring challenge.

Education is the key and to that end it is welcome indeed to hear how police officers are being encouraged to enhance their understanding of the issues.

Chief Superintendent Paul Anderson is quite right to point out that mental health is not something that can be tackled in isolation by any one service.

It is an issue for society as a whole — and emergency teams have a crucial role to play.

Joint working, with charities and youth projects, is among the initiatives being explored.

Starting a national conversation on the topic can only help and the police force is not the only body which must evolve to meet the changing needs of society.

In the meantime, each and every one of us has a responsibility to realise that ill health comes in many different forms — only some of them visible.