Today the 10th of October is world mental health day. Research shows that four out of five people exhibit the early signs of poor mental health and one in four people experience a mental health problem every year. This week is also mental health awareness week and as part of this, the government made two announcements. The first was a £35 million project over five years to research adolescent mental health which explores biological and environmental factors, as well as upbringing. This programme aims to “will build a better understanding of the adolescent mind to improve the standards of care available”. It also aims to uncover ways to “reduce instances of anti-social behaviour, substance abuse or low educational attainment”. The second is a mental health campaign and resource called Every Mind Matters. Its online Mind Plan quiz asks users about their mood, sleep, anxiety, and stress, and offers simple advice.
These movements are without doubt extremely welcome. However, the best way to address the mental health of the United Kingdom is not to create websites. The most effective way would be to create a more caring society that discourages diversity of opinions and discourages the outriding of people who are different. This can be seen only today with the campaign to prevent Julia Hartley-Brewer from appearing on tonight’s question time. These people might not have pitchforks, they might not wave torches. But make no mistake – those agitating for the BBC to dump Julia Hartley-Brewer from this week’s Question Time are a mob.
The most common killer of men under the age of 45 is suicide. Thankfully the stigma around mental health is being lifted and all hope that people feel they can speak if they need to. The trolling culture created by social media has allowed users to, with the protection of their technology screen, behave in a deplorable way to people whom they may not even know. Many of these acts are not criticising ideology or thought they are threatening, and it is not acceptable. Should anyone be reading this article and feel they need someone to talk to, my Twitter handle is @oliver_down and my DM’s are open to anyone, as long as you are pleasant!
Current Affairs Correspondent | My name is Oliver Down I am 22, and a staunch brexiteer. I am a Bristolian lad who studied politics in Leicester. I believe in free speech and accurate journalism and I won’t be afraid to give you “the other side” of the story!
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