Mental Health

Good mental health and well being is important for everyone, young and old.

Mental health difficulties affect one in four of the population at any one time, and can change the way we think, feel or act, leading to individual distress. Mental ill health is the largest form of disability in the UK and costs over £22.5 billion per year.

Anxiety and depression are the most common mental health issues in Britain.Early identification of anxiety is crucial, as it can often spiral if left unchecked, leading to panic attacks, phobias or compulsive behaviours. Counselling therapy helps the individual to examine their fears, rationalise situations, feel happier and gain the ability to control their own future.

Depressive symptoms include a lack of motivation and unexplained sadness and emotion, which can sometimes escalate to include self-harm and suicidal ideation. Early intervention is vital so that people have the opportunity to explore their difficulties and prevent more acute, long term negative behaviours from occurring.

Our mental health also affects our ability to work and when employees have good mental health and well-being research shows that there is a reduction in absenteeism and staff turnover, and an increase in productivity, motivation and the quality of working relationships.

With one in four workers experiencing depression, anxiety or stress at any one time, it is estimated that the provision of effective work place support could save UK businesses up to £8 billion per year, when the wider costs to the economy in terms of lost productivity, work and welfare benefits are taken into account, the cost amounts to an estimated £77 billion per year.

Good mental health and well-being affects every aspect of our lives; physical health, our confidence, motivation, how we feel about ourselves and others, and how we cope with life.