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Mental health is the emotional and spiritual resilience
which enables us to enjoy life and to survive pain, disappointment and sadness.
It is a positive sense of wellbeing and an underlying belief in our own worth and the dignity and worth of others.
Church of England, Archbishops’ Council, 2004, p. 29

How common are mental health problems?

  • 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem of some kind each year in England.
  • 1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem
    (like anxiety and depression) in any given week in England.

In any given week in England:

  • Mixed anxiety and depression: 8 in 100 people
  • Generalised anxiety disorder (GAD): 6 in 100 people
  • Post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD): 4 in 100 people
  • Depression: 3 in 100 people
  • Phobias: 2 in 100 people
  • Obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD): 1 in 100 people
  • Panic disorder: fewer than 1 in 100 people.

Suicidal thoughts and self-harm
Over the course of someone’s lifetime;

  • 1 in 5 people have suicidal thoughts.
  • 1 in 14 people self-harm.
  • 1 in 15 people attempt suicide.

Women are more likely to have suicidal thoughts
   and make suicide attempts than men,
   however, men are 3 times more likely to take their own life than women.
In fact, suicide is now the biggest killer of men under 50.

Mental Health and young people 

  • 20% of adolescents may experience a mental health problem in any given year.
  • 50% of mental health problems are established by age 14 and 75%by age 24.
  • 10% of children and young people (aged 5-16 years) have a clinically diagnosable mental problem BUT
  • 70% of children and adolescents who experience mental health problems have not had appropriate interventions at a sufficiently early age.

Ideas of how we can help each other

  • Take time to listen to each other
  • Have the courage to share with each other
  • Catch up with people that have been ‘missing from church’ or from other groups that you are part of
  • Hold onto God’s promises – make a list of those that help you and share sensitively with others
  • Worship God through music and the psalms
  • Trust God to accept all your emotions – be honest with Him
  • Pray for yourself and for others
  • Use prayer ministry for yourself and others
  • Learn about mental health issues – Mind organisation and Mind and Soul Foundation are good places to start
  • Together provide practical help so that no-one is over-burdened
  • Share concerns with the Ministry team / Karina as safe-guarding officer