Sunday, October 10th, 2021, marks World Mental Health Day, a global public health day for raising awareness and understanding about mental health.
This year, the HSE is reminding people of the importance of maintaining good mental health.
It is also making the public aware of the different levels of supports and services that are available face to face, by phone and online.
Over the last year, it has enhanced digital mental health offerings for both staff and the wider public and has also seen a considerable increase in people accessing online self-help resources.
These include:
- Its Minding your Wellbeing programme: A series of short videos covering different aspects of mental health and wellbeing.
- Since September 2020, there have been over 111,000 views of the evidence-based Stress Control online programme. It teaches practical skills on recognising and dealing with stress.
- Providing additional funding to organisations offering free online counselling to those impacted by Covid-19. It provided approximately 10,000 appointments last year and made funding available for a further 9,000 appointments so far this year.
World Mental Health Day
HSE assistant national director, head of mental health operations, Jim Ryan says:
“Firstly, we have seen the positive impact digital mental health supports have had in the last year and a half particularly in opening up access to services.”
“We know that early intervention can make a huge difference and that many people can receive effective treatment for mental health difficulties online, including some people who might otherwise have to wait for a face-to-face consultation.”
“We would encourage everyone to pay attention to their mental health, to notice when they’re not feeling great and to talk to someone they trust about how they are feeling. There are lots of really great resources available on YourMentalHealth.ie.”
“We would encourage people to find out what is available to them in person, by phone and online.”
As part of the HSE’s digital mental health strategy, it also recently partnered with digital health company, SilverCloud Health.
It has rolled out free digital cognitive behaviour therapy to address depression and anxiety in Ireland in an effort to make mental health support more widely available.
In a statement, a spokesperson for the HSE said:
“In line with our national mental health policy, sharing the vision, the HSE will continue to invest in the digital mental health supports to improve accessibility for appropriate supports and make it easier for people to be able to access the right level of support at the right time.”
Mind your mental health: Tips the HSE issued:
Some of the everyday things you can do to maintain good mental health:
- Keeping active: Being active every day. Something as simple as a walk is proven to have a positive impact on your mood;
- Talking about your problems: Problems feel smaller when they are shared with others. They do not always have to be solved – just talking about it will do you good;
- Eating healthily: A regular healthy, balanced and nutritious diet will help both your physical and mental health and have a positive impact on how you feel;
- Drinking less: A break or reduction in alcohol can improve your mood, your sleep and increase your energy levels;
- Sleeping well: Get a good night’s sleep. 7 or 8 hours, as often as you can, will have a positive impact on how you feel;
- Look out for others: Lending an ear to someone else in trouble, or catching up with someone who seems distant, can make a big difference to them when they are feeling down.
Other articles:
- Interview with Finola Colgan, development officer with Mental Health Ireland
- Ag Mental Health Week 2021
- ‘No-one really believed that he would take his own life’ – farmer on suicide loss
