Lib Dems urge Medway residents impacted by the cost-of-living-crisis urged to seek support this Mental Health Awareness Week 15th - 21st May
Liberal Democrats believe that the future of mental health care should be community-based and locally focused, helping people experiencing mental ill health not just survive, but thrive. We are proud to support Mental Health Awareness Week hosted by the Mental Health Foundation and will continue to campaign for better mental health care this week and all year round. This year's theme is 'anxiety', which the cost-of-living crisis has highlighted.
Local Liberal Democrat spokesperson Alan Wells said, "The past year or so has been particularly tough on people's wellbeing. The cost-of-living crisis, looks like it's going to continue for a while. Choices between “heating and eating” and keeping on top of all the household bills and all the other things we have to pay for show no signs of letting up. This can have severe effects on our mental health.
The first thing is to try not to bottle up your feelings. It can help take the heat out of things by chatting with someone you trust, like a family member or best friend. They probably have similar feelings, and it’s true to say that “a problem shared is a problem halved."
We know the cost-of-living crisis can affect the mental health of some Medway residents, that’s why, this Mental Health Awareness Week (May 15 – May 21), we’re encouraging anyone who may be struggling with their mental health to seek support.
Across Medway there is a network of charities and support groups that work to provide local people with food, clothing and other essentials. As individuals, as families, as communities – we can’t afford to ignore the impact on our mental health.
ENDS
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People living in poverty or experiencing financial stress are more likely to develop mental health problems.
Due to the cost-of-living crisis, poverty and financial stress will likely rise over the next few years. We are seeing increased reports across the UK that more people are going without basic living essentials, such as food and a warm home. Our UK-wide survey has also shown that many people across the UK are feeling anxious, stressed and hopeless due to their current financial situation.
We expect that the effects of the cost-of-living crisis on public mental health will be on a scale similar to the COVID-19 pandemic. Our survey also found that concerns about finances are having a negative effect on people’s ability to engage in some of the activities known to help protect mental health and prevent problems from developing:
- 30% of adults in the UK have poorer quality sleep
- 23% meet with friends less often
- 15% pursued a hobby less often
- 12% exercised less often
We call on governments across the UK to take action to support people with the same urgency as we dealt with COVID-19.
The most crucial action to support good public mental health will be financial support schemes that prevent people from experiencing poverty and financial stress.
Anxiety is a normal emotion in us all, but sometimes it can get out of control and become a mental health problem. Lots of things can lead to feelings of anxiety, including exam pressures, relationships, starting a new job (or losing one) or other big life events.
We can also get anxious when it comes to things to do with money and not being able to meet our basic needs, like heating our home or buying food. Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems we can face.
In a recent mental health survey we carried out around stress, anxiety and hopelessness over personal finances, a quarter of adults said they felt so anxious that it stopped them from doing the things they want to do some or all of the time. Six in ten adults feel this way, at least some of the time. On a positive note, anxiety can be made easier to manage.