World Mental Health Day: PHE launches mental health initiative

Public Health England (PHE) has launched a new mental health initiative to help people look after their own mental health. 

The Every Mind Matters initiative is designed to give people simple tools to look after their mental wellbeing and support others. 

The platform, available to the public and for GPs to advise patients to use, will enable users to create a personalised action plan of self-care actions to deal with stress, boost mood, improve sleep and feel in control. 

It will also be promoted to NHS workers within the service. 

The platform has been developed with the help of clinical and academic experts, national mental health charities and input from people with experience of poor mental health. 

Advice from the service includes showing users how to reframe unhelpful thoughts, increase physical activity and practice breathing exercises. 

Multiple celebrities and companies are supporting Every Mind Matters, with The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and The Duke and Duchess of Sussex voicing a short TV film about it that was aired on Monday, October 7. 

Duncan Selbie, chief executive of PHE, said: “Our health is affected by our circumstances, including having a job, friends and a roof over our heads. 

Anxiety, stress, low mood and trouble sleeping can affect everyone. Every Mind Matters aims to help people to better handle life’s ups and downs.

Deep impact

Findings from a recent survey by The British Skin Foundation support the need for better and more readily available mental health assistance resources in the UK. 

It found that nine out of ten dermatologists agree that not enough importance is placed on the psychological effects resulting from skin conditions. 

Additionally, 87% of the 245 predominantly British dermatologists said they don’t think people with skin conditions in the UK have sufficient access to psychological support. 

Dr Alexandra Mizara, consultant psychologist and British Skin Foundation spokesperson, commented: “It's not surprising that the majority of dermatologists report that the psychological care of skin patients is poor and understated. 

Skin patients often experience that they are not listened to or understood by their healthcare providers. The occasions that they are listened to and understood are rare and extraordinary. “

The British Association of Dermatologists has an emotional support service that patients can be referred to. 

To coincide with Mental Health Week in May this year, Dr Jonquille Chantrey created a series of forums to promote body image and self-esteem.