Mental health holds a personal connection with me, and my family, so I do not underestimate the effect mental illness has on an individual or the people around them. This is why I am very keen to promote Mental Health Awareness Week.
The pandemic has certainly had a worrying impact on everyone's mental health, particularly on children, due to necessary lockdowns which meant some were isolated from their support networks and all important daily structures. Sadly, these consequences will be seen for a long time, and are reflected in the large increase of mental health treatment referral rates, where the Norfolk and Suffolk Foundation Trust has one of the highest referral rates in the country.
So that I am fully aware of the local support which will be provided on a grass-roots level, I will be writing to the Cabinet Member for Public Health and Prevention, on Norfolk County Council, asking what additional support and information might be important for residents of Bradwell North to know.
Support is out there though.
The Mental Health Foundation provides some fantastic resources for those that feel they need further support. These resources can be found on their website here: How to look after your mental health during the coronavirus outbreak | Mental Health Foundation. They also provide some excellent podcasts to help with general wellbeing.
Mental health in the work place is also a very important matter. It is great to see many employers now taking this area of health seriously, but more still needs to be done.
"A staggering 70 million work days are lost each year due to mental health problems in the UK, costing employers approximately £2.4 billion per year" - The Mental Health Foundation.
A support Mental Health at Work booklet can be found attached at the bottom of this page, which gives important guidance on how to approach your employer and discuss any mental health issues you may be experiencing.
I will keep working for my community on mental health matters. If anyone needs help with finding support or just to talk, please do contact me straight away at [email protected] or on 07824 012721.
