It’s good to talk
As a star-studded mental health campaign is launched, an expert outlines to LISA SALMON some of the signs that you may need therapy
WE all have bad days. But the stress of the pandemic has turned those bad days into weeks and months, and huge numbers of people are struggling with their mental health.
The NHS has enlisted the help of top names from the UK music industry – including Craig David and Girls Aloud’s Nicola Roberts – to help launch a new campaign encouraging more people to seek help, via a speaking rendition of the Beatles hit Help!
New figures from the NHS suggest more than 50% of people were concerned about their mental health last year – and around half also experienced stress, anxiety, low mood or depression. However, the majority didn’t seek professional help.
Nicola says: “I’m someone that has benefited hugely from talking therapy. I think there is such a taboo around it that people almost feel like they’ve failed or they weren’t strong enough to figure out a situation by themselves. But if you’re feeling like you can’t see the light at the end of the tunnel, it’s imperative to reach out, because you can’t always do it alone.”
The mental health charity Mind (mind.org. uk) is backing the new NHS campaign, but how can you tell if you need professional help?
“There are times when the signs you may need some extra professional support aren’t obvious,” explains Dee Johnson, a therapist at mental health care provider The Priory Group (priorygroup.com), who is a cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) and mindfulness practitioner.
“This is because our own perception of how we’re thinking and feeling adapts over time, and some people just start to accept that’s how they’ll always feel. They acclimatise to what are, in reality, mental health issues.”
Dee says signs you should seek professional help for your mental health include...
■ DECLINING SOCIAL INVITATIONS
You say no to invitations, or make last-minute excuses not to engage in something. “This happens when we think avoidance is better than facing something that feels overwhelming,” Dee explains.
■ WITHDRAWAL
You spend more time alone.
■ FEELING MORE ANXIOUS, NERVOUS AND/OR WORRIED
“When things that never caused you anxiousness before – such as driving or social gatherings – start to do so, over time, the sense of not feeling safe and secure spreads to almost every aspect of your living, and becomes overwhelming,” says Dee.
■ IGNORING MESSAGES
The way you feel may mean you even struggle to answer phone calls, text or emails.
■ NO LONGER ENJOYING THINGS
Dee says a condition called anhedonia means you no longer find pleasure or joy from activities, or even people that you used to enjoy. “This is actually a very distressing place to be, and increases worry levels,” she says.
■ YOU FEEL LONELY AND EMPTY
Dee says people with mental health issues may have an internal sense of shame, lack of worth, and feel emptiness and loneliness.
“This can affect you, even if you have people you love in your life,” she warns.
■ YOU NO LONGER FEEL CONNECTED TO OTHER PEOPLE
Mental health issues can present as a feeling of being disconnected from others, says Dee.
■ PUTTING YOURSELF DOWN
With mental health issues, your self-talk may be low and negative, and you may put yourself down. If you feel you may benefit from professional help, contact your GP, or self-refer to a therapist.
Visit the Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme (england. nhs. uk/ mental- health/ adults/iapt) for more information.
Some charities like Mind offer free or low-cost talking therapies – contact Mind’s InfoLine on 0300 123 3393.