Manchester Withington MP Jeff Smith has backed Mental Health Awareness Week 2018, running from 14th to 20th May.
This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week is focusing on stress. Although not an illness itself, links have been established between stress and some mental health conditions including depression, anxiety, psychosis and post-traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD).
According to the Mental Health Foundation, 74% of people have at some point felt so stressed that they have felt overwhelmed or unable to cope. 32% of people have experienced suicidal feelings as a result of stress in their lives.
Commenting at the start of Mental Health Awareness Week, Jeff said:
“Millions of us deal with stress on a regular basis and it can be damaging to our health.
Short-term stress can help us concentrate and focus on the task in hand, but when feelings of being overwhelmed last a long time or become hard to cope with, stress can start to impact on our physical health.
I’m encouraging everyone to take a moment this week to think about their mental wellbeing and make sure we all find time to relax and unwind.”
Those taking part are encouraged to share their tips for dealing with stress and what they are doing to mark Mental Health Awarenss Week by using the hashtag #MHAW18.
You can find some tips on how to deal with stress, and ways to mark #MHAW18 on the Mental Health Foundation Website here.
JEFF SMITH MP 