Less mental health stigma than there was pre-pandemic
Six in ten people are more comfortable talking openly about their mental health now than they were before the pandemic, according to a 2022 survey carried out by Amarách Research on behalf of St Patrick’s Mental Health Services.
The survey also revealed that eight in ten people believe Irish society is more open to talking about mental health difficulties since the pandemic.
While it’s often easy to focus on the negative impacts of the past few years on our mental health, removing stigma and increasing openness and awareness surrounding mental health is a positive takeaway from it.
A 2020 survey found that 8% of people would not tell anyone if they were experiencing a mental health difficulty during 2020, compared to 17% who would not tell anyone just two years earlier in 2018.
Almost half of the 2022 survey respondents reportedly introduced new ways to manage their well-being since the pandemic.
Mental health comes in a variety of different forms, from anxiety or low mood to conditions such as bipolar or OCD to just general well-being and ways of coping or dealing with mental health have just as much variation.
One of the most commonly recognised forms of help available is talking therapies which involve speaking with a trained therapist to support you to deal with negative thoughts and feelings and to help you make positive changes.
Talk therapies come in the form of counselling, group therapy, cognitive behavioural therapy, and mindfulness therapy.
Many report positive results from talk therapy, however, it might not be for everyone and while talk therapy is a popular choice, your journey to positive mental health may lie in a different area.
Mindfulness has exploded in popularity in recent years, from guided meditations to adult colouring, the accessible practice means it is easy to fit into your day and can be done alone as part of a group.
Being more mindful essentially means taking notice of your thoughts, feelings, sensations and the world around you, being aware of the present world and experiencing it without judgement.
For more information and resources regarding your mental health or a loved one's, visit www2.hse.ie/mental-health/ speak to a GP, or call the HSE YourMe n t a l He a l t h information line on freephone 1800 111 888 any time day or night.
Those seeking help with more urgent mental health issues are advised to contact a GP or Health Centre, freephone the Samaritans at 116 123, childline at 1800 66 66 66 or free text ‘HELLO’ 50808 day or night.