Can we beat the mental health time bomb?

“There will be improved access to psychological therapies for children and young people across the whole of England AND schools will be supported to identify mental health problems sooner."

Big promises huh? They're just numbers six and 17 of 25 points set out in the Government's mental health action plan, “Closing the Gap: priorities for essential change in mental health” today revealed by Nick Clegg and Norman Lamb.

I agree, it’s never been more vital that real action is taken to help young people suffering with mental health issues, quickly, but to also educate them, reduce the stigma in schools and help prevent them getting ill in the first place.

At the same time as the Deputy Prime Minister was pledging to take action on mental health across Britain, the charity Young Minds released shocking new statistics on what they call a ‘ticking time bomb’ about to explode in our schools if we don't take action. 

In the study, which coincides with the launch of their ‘YoungMindsVs’ campaign, the outlook appears to be bleak (and stressful) for those growing up in what the charity calls a ‘toxic climate’ – unless of course we all take joined-up action to change that.

We all remember the pressure of school, the exams, the bullies, the first boyfriends, your ‘first time’ and the dreaded parents’ evenings, but this is more than that. It seems young people are no longer coping with the mounting pressures piling up around them and they don't know what to do about it. 

YoungMind’s study of 2000 children and young people found that more than half “believe they will be a failure if they don’t get good grades” and around the same number have experienced bullying. 

From an eating disorders perspective, it’s extremely worrying that the poll also found “four out of ten 11-14 year olds skip meals to stay thin.” At the same time the Government identifies that “Half of those with lifetime mental health problems first experience symptoms by the age of 14; early identification and where necessary intervention can make a massive difference.” 

It's not the first time we've heard these warnings, only last week ChildLine reported a surge in the number of mental health related calls it's getting from young people battling with self-harm and suicidal thoughts.  

So professionals and politicians understand picking up on problems early reduces the risk of a life plagued by mental health problems, it also costs a hell of a lot less cash if it's caught early too. 

We know this is especially vital in eating disorders, they can be prevented and stopped in their tracks. It can mean life or death. Beat's Eating Disorders Waiting Times research echoes this. So maybe it’s time people see that skipped meal little more seriously, before that skipped meal in pursuit of thinness develops into full-blown anorexia nervosa?

But do young people feel able to ask for help?

Will they be listened to and taken seriously? 
AND where the heck do they go? 

It would seem at the moment they’re clueless. YoungMinds warn that; “a third don’t know where to turn to get help when they feel depressed or anxious.” 

This needs changing, quickly. Young people need to understand mental illnesses better, they need to understand themselves more and they need to know they’re not alone. It's vital they know where to go. 

But when they do speak up, is it is essential that the specialist services are there, the psychological therapists are ready and that young people are not kept on waiting lists, getting worse by the day. 

Under action point six in the Government’s pledge they say; “We want to do more to promote mental well being amongst children and young people, and prevent them from developing mental health problems.”

I agree, but it’s not about them WANTING to do more now, it’s an absolute necessity that funding isn't continually slashed from CAMHS budgets, that money is spent preventively, that professionals are educated and that we all take action to stop the spiral. 

With a ticking time-bomb ready to explode; we haven't got time to be cautious or worry about making a ‘fuss over nothing’ about a skipped meal or stressed out, grumpy teenager. Action needs to be taken. On all fronts – from Government, to health services and in classrooms – if we are going to avoid this bomb doing some serious damage, to everyone.

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Find out more:

The Department for Health Closing the Gap: priorities for essential change in mental health publication.

Young Minds full information on the 'Toxic Climate' Research.

Young Minds 'YoungMindsVs' Campaign.

BEAT's Waiting Times for Eating Disorders treatment Research
ChildLine/NSPCC ''Can I Tell You Something' report

Follow this issue on Twitter; @YoungMindsUK @YoungMindsVs @BeatED @DepHealthPress @Nick_Clegg @NormanLamb @MindCharity and many more. 

From anorexia to oars

I’m always hugely inspired by anyone who raises money for charities they feel passionately about, whether that’s jumping out of aeroplanes, running marathons for Mind or walking a mile for Motor Neurone Disease. My own best friend ran a gruelling 12 miles last February for BEAT to show her support for my own recovery from anorexia. (It still gives me goose bumps when I think about it!)

But to me, it is even more inspirational when someone overcomes their own battle with an eating disorder and goes on to raise money to help other people and raise awareness. So, how can you top overcoming personal adversity to get stuck in with fundraising I hear you ask? Well, 

How about smashing a rowing first too? 

Eight women from Oxford University’s Corpus Christi College Boat Club are preparing to do just that. 

In June they’ll be rowing an arm-aching 180km from Oxford to London to raise money for Eating Disorders Charity, BEAT. They are the first female crew to give it a go. However, not all of these super-women were always as strong. 

At 13 years old Esther Rich (pictured centre front) was battling anorexia nervosa, a year later she was in the grips of the illness and at 15 years old was admitted as an inpatient at an eating disorder unit in Stoke on Trent. 

She explains; “My illness was triggered mainly by friendship breakdowns, which left me wanting to be invisible, it really set in at 14.”  After nine tough months fighting Esther was discharged from the service. 

Now, aged 19 and fully recovered, she is a second year psychology student at Oxford University and plans on becoming a Clinical Psychologist. She told me she’s passionate about giving back; “I want to help those in the same situation I was in. I have also just secured a supervisor to allow me to write my final year dissertation on the causes and treatment of eating disorders.” 

She added; “I now volunteer as a Young Ambassador for Beat, which involves raising awareness, speaking at conferences, talking to current inpatients about recovery and fundraising for the charity to continue their amazing work.” 

Esther, happier and healthier.

Esther, who rows at bow (the position best suited to her 5ft2 frame, I'm told!) and the rest of the CCBC crew are pushing their bodies to the limit to raise as much money as they can for BEAT, setting themselves a target of £10,000. A sum of money which could raise a lot more awareness of eating disorders and provide support and advice for sufferers, their family and friends. 

As they hit the water to build strength for their challenge, they’ve coined to motto:

‘We will push our bodies to the limits to stop eating disorder sufferers from doing the same.’ 

They hope to show others that you can overcome the grips of an eating disorder and go on to be healthy, strong and to help others. Tell me, how can you get more inspirational than that?

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The ladies will be hitting the water between 23rd - 26th June 2013 and you can sponsor Esther and the crew via their Just Giving page here: www.justgiving.com/londonrow 

If you want to know more about eating disorders or are worried about a loved one, get in touch with BEAT or Team Recovery for support. 

Lipsticks for Ladies, Pens for Friends...

So, how many of my girlie friends have huge hauls of lipsticks that 'don't really go with anything?'. Or How many of my friends in journalism have a pile of pens 'they don't like' in the bottom of their bags or collecting dust in a desk drawer?

I'm guilty of both. On a huge scale.

When I got an email from a very good friend of mine this morning, sat with a huge coffee and the weekend papers. I was stopped in my tracks. It's another of those reflective moments that make you question our 'first world pains'

Sarah (another Sarah!) told me about a routine trip to her doctor, which has inspired her to take action and think about what really matters. Will you help?

Her doctor travels to third world countries affected by serious poverty and deprivation and tries to help the local hospitals and communities as best she can.

"She has just come back from Madagascar and is trying to get a 

collection of things she can take back this winter."

We all know that collecting money can be difficult, times are tough for all of us and sometimes unfortunately cash gets lost along the way and finds its way in to the wrong hands.

"I was at the doctors and saw that she had a notice up about collecting pens. PENS?" 

The idea really touched Sarah and she's now helping her doctor gather a collection of pens, colouring pens and pencils for the children learning at the local school. 

"A pen is an absolute luxury to these kids- it's a birthday or Christmas present." 

The ladies also went mad for lipstick...

It seems like a funny request, but they begged Sarah's doctor for lipstick. Some of these families cannot afford their next meal, so make up is something they just don't have. They like to save them for weddings, etc.

"I think through all their obvious struggles it's lovely that they
can feel a million dollars for a day." 

Times are tough for everyone but please, please can you save any pens/colouring pencils and used/new lipsticks that you might throw away. Don't put them in the bin. If you go somewhere for lunch and you don't use the free colouring pencils please can you pass them on.

My fellow beauty addicts, is there a lipstick you don't really like that much? Just sitting in your make up bag, one that never touches you pout or a free one from your latest Clarins bonus time? Just think what it would mean for a woman who's never had one. 

It's really appreciated and it genuinely makes a difference.

Please get in touch with me if you can get involved and I will collect and pass on lipsticks and pens from friends in the Midlands or I'll get Sarah to get in touch with you. Please.