Why we need to talk about mental health

Health correspondent Mark Smith talks about his own struggles to gain control of his mental health and how those in greatest need should be able to access help quickly

FOR the past five years I have experienced problems with anxiety. It’s not something I’ve openly shared with many people, partly because of the reaction I feared I might receive.

At its worst it can be all-consuming and severely affect my ability to concentrate, sit still or even talk properly.

When I first started experiencing the symptoms I was convinced I was having a heart attack. My heart would be beating out of my chest and I wouldn’t be able to calm myself down.

But now, after many years, I am familiar with what triggers my anxiety and have learnt to avoid them at all costs.

I have also found that the best way to treat it is through exercise, which allows me to expel all of my nervous energy.

A 30-minute jog or a game of football with my mates can work wonders, giving both my brain and body a much-needed workout.

I am just one of millions of people who experience mental health problems on a regular basis.

And during my time as health correspondent, I have seen greater emphasis being placed on mental health among those in a position of authority, which is encouraging to see.

But mental health is still far from being on a par with physical health when it comes to funding, and I fear many patients are still being let down.

Children are, in some cases, facing unacceptably long waits to access Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAHMS) support.

Those in greatest need should be accessing these services quickly to ensure their problems do not escalate.

Similarly, adults have also experienced delays in accessing talking therapies, with medics instead offering medication as a “quick-fix” until the root cause can be addressed.

In order to reduce this burden on our NHS, which has finite resources, mental health issues need to be tackled at the earliest possible opportunity – or prevented from occurring in the first place.

Ensuring emotional and mental health is fully embedded in the school curriculum will help to educate children about what they are experiencing.

And there needs to be further emphasis on tackling online bullying which has led to some children harming themselves or even taking their own lives.

While great strides have been made to reduce the stigma around these conditions, it is still prevalent in society.

I believe that’s partly because mental health is “hidden” and cannot be mended with a sticking plaster.

The brain is such a wonderfully complex instrument that it can take many years for people to fully gain control of their mental health.

So I’m proud to announce that this edition of Health Check Wales is dedicated solely to this topic.

We have spoken to a broad range of medics, those in the voluntary sector and patients to find out how Wales is getting to grips with these conditions.

There are also some useful advice pieces from experts about how to improve your mental wellbeing by making simple adjustments to your life.

Happy reading!