Mental Health Awareness Month underscores need for funding and public dialogue
- Human Rights Research Center
- 13 minutes ago
- 3 min read
Author: Peter Clarkin, MA
HRRC strongly urges support for Mental Health Awareness Month. As rates of mental health issues rise, particularly among young people affected by digital and social pressures, the need to remove stigma is critical. Governments must also commit to sustained investment in mental health services.
![[Image credit: Mohamed Hassan from Pixabay]](https://static.wixstatic.com/media/e28a6b_0a91ed36acbf4b95a6e83cace0d0cd3b~mv2.png/v1/fill/w_49,h_35,al_c,q_85,usm_0.66_1.00_0.01,blur_2,enc_avif,quality_auto/e28a6b_0a91ed36acbf4b95a6e83cace0d0cd3b~mv2.png)
Founded by Mental Health America in 1949, Mental Health Awareness Month has grown into a movement beyond borders aimed at eliminating mental health-related stigma and building a society in which mental healthcare is accessible to all. This year’s campaign, along with other mental health initiatives around the world, takes place at a time when more than one billion people are living with mental health conditions, underscoring the need for a renewed approach to mental healthcare.
Concerns related to rapid digital transformation are at the forefront of many discussions about mental health. Recent research conducted by the University of Oxford Wellbeing Research Centre suggests that short-form video content is likely contributing to problems beyond sleep disruption and reduced productivity. This particular type of digital media has been linked to anxiety, depression, loneliness and chronic stress, all of which can lead to physical symptoms such as weakened immunity, headaches and even cardiovascular problems.
Among specific age groups, issues affecting teenagers and young adults remain a growing concern, with conditions such as depression and anxiety having a direct impact on their daily lives and overall wellbeing. One recent study predicts that by 2030, more than 60% of teenagers in the UK will be living with a mental health condition. Research conducted by Zurich Insurance Group found that young adults’ mental health is affected by exposure to social media content, academic pressure, and a future that is likely to be characterised by economic uncertainty.
While Mental Health Awareness Month highlights many of these key issues, a persistent challenge is overcoming the stigma that still surrounds conversations about mental health. This stigma affects all age groups and must be addressed through open discussions.
A survey by the British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy (BACP) found that two-thirds of women over 50 face mental health challenges, but only 10% have ever sought out professional help. These results encouraged the BACP to launch its No More Stiff Upper Lip campaign, which aims to shine a positive light on therapy.
Additional support is also needed for organisations that provide care and support to individuals facing mental health difficulties. The benefit of increased government funding cannot be underestimated, as demonstrated by initiatives such as the 988 suicide and crisis lifeline in the United States. In 2022, the crisis line received an additional $1.5 billion in funding to increase the capacity of call centres, resulting in an 11% drop in youth suicides over the next two years.
Ultimately, meaningful progress will require sustained investment and a commitment to treating mental health issues with the same urgency as physical health.
Glossary
Anxiety – an uncomfortable feeling of nervousness or worry about something that might happen.
Cardiovascular – relating to the heart and blood vessels.
Chronic – continuing for a long time or recurring frequently.
Depression – a mental illness causing long periods of unhappiness, anxiety, and loss of interest in things.
Digital transformation – the process of using digital technology to change how organisations or systems operate.
Immunity – the body’s ability to protect itself against disease.
Initiatives – new plans or actions intended to solve a problem or improve a situation.
Productivity – the rate at which work or goods are produced, or how efficiently work is done.
Short-form videos – brief video content, usually lasting only seconds or minutes.
Stigma – a strong feeling of disapproval towards something, often unfairly held by society.
Uncertainty – a situation in which something is not known or certain.
Wellbeing – the state of feeling healthy, happy, and comfortable.
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