Health Matters: 'It’s important for Highland residents to keep talking about mental health'
THE majority of people who experience mental health problems, be that long or short term, will never go into a specialist hospital setting, writes Louise Bussell.
The more we can do at a local level and at an early stage the better the outcome will be for someone in a mental health crisis or who has long-standing difficulties. It is essential that we support people to live well within their community and receive the right treatment and support.
Many of us may only briefly experience mental health problems and the help may be from our GP or even through self-help or the support of family, whereas other people need more help over a longer period of time.
Health and social care services provided by the NHS and other public sector organisations have to be there to provide these services, but equally the care and support provided by other organisations and community groups can be essential and indeed even more so for many people.
Being supported by family and friends, members of your local community who experience similar challenges or who just want to help, can mean so much for someone in a mental health crisis.
The care and compassion of people around you is something we, as human beings, have never been more aware of the need for than in recent times.
I am keen to celebrate these often unsung heroes who give up their time and energy to give compassionate care to those around them.
As we know well, Covid-19 has had a major impact on so many parts of our life, including many aspects of the services and support we rely on.
I know that despite the restrictions, people from across all types of services and organisations have continued to reach out to people who most need their help and I wish to applaud their efforts.
In the wake of mental health awareness week, I am keen to keep the momentum of our conversation on this vital issue going so that awareness is continual, and not just for a week in May.
It would be great to hear the voices of those that have been there for their communities and celebrate what is good about our society and the way we have all pulled together in the most unprecedented of times. I will therefore be using future opportunities in this column to highlight the great work going on across Inverness and beyond by selfless people who simply care about others and want to make a difference.
Thanks again to everyone from within the many organisations and groups that have sustained people with mental health problems, and who I am sure will continue to do so over the months and years to come.
– Louise Bussell is chief officer at NHS Highland.
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