A few weeks back, I read a piece which has stayed in my brain. The headline was “We have reached peak mental health” and you can read it for yourself here. I found the entire article fascinating, it made a plethora of points, but the paragraph which stuck with me was this:
I think the mental health continuum that Mental Health First Aid England use is really helpful. They talk about it like a cross. On the horizontal axis it goes from severe diagnosis to no diagnosis and on the virtual axis it goes from minimum mental wellbeing/fitness to maximum mental wellbeing/fitness. So you end up with 4 areas:
a) top left - severe diagnosis/maximum mental wellbeing - a person with a diagnosis of a severe mental illness but who copes well and has positive mental health
b) top right - no diagnosis/maximum mental wellbeing - a person with no mental illness or disorder and positive mental health
c) bottom right - no diagnosis/minimum mental wellbeing - a person with no diagnosed mental illness or disorder but who has poor mental health
d) bottom left - severe diagnosis/minimum mental wellbeing - a person with a diagnosis of a severe mental illness and who has poor mental health.
I like this because I think it demonstrates that mental illness doesn't automatically mean people can't function well. Obviously both axis are on a continuum so not as black and white as it sounds above but hopefully if not seen it before it gives an idea of what it looks like.
Oh wow Bella, I hear you. Weary is the word. Also, and I feel like a terrible person saying this, I’m getting to the point when someone on Tv/Instagram/podcast etc says ‘we need to talk about mental health’, I actually cringe. Yeah, we totally do, but I feel like the statement is becoming a meaningless platitude. Phew, I feel better for getting that off my chest!…
Yes! As a mental health professional and someone with diagnosed mental illness, I completely agree. It's so important that we stop watering down mental health and mental illness. There is a difference between normal emotional reactions and a condition which impacts functioning. I find myself loudly rolling my eyes as certain people bang on about talking about mental health without actually allowing the space to discuss all that this encompasses.
I really agree with you on the need to distinguish between mental health and mental illness. I also find it important to highlight the difference between stress and anxiety. They are so often conflated, but stress is an everyday, often helpful reminder of the busyness of life, and anxiety - particularly for those who experience debilitating anxiety - is completely different.
This is the first newsletter I've had in my inbox Bella for an AGE. Did you take a writing break? If not, where have they been going? Weep.
Loved reading a new piece. And as a chronic sufferer of panic disorder, phobias and health anxiety, I wholeheartedly agree. Humans want hard stuff sugar coated to make them more comfortable. It's partly why I've struggled maintaining friendships and relationships. AND, finding a true worthy therapist who aren't all textbook taught.
I cant make sense of it all. Yes, some stigma has been removed around mental health but the battle is still very private. I volunteer for child mental health services, run a wellbeing campaign at work but will still think twice before speaking to ANYONE about my own struggles.
I think the mental health continuum that Mental Health First Aid England use is really helpful. They talk about it like a cross. On the horizontal axis it goes from severe diagnosis to no diagnosis and on the virtual axis it goes from minimum mental wellbeing/fitness to maximum mental wellbeing/fitness. So you end up with 4 areas:
a) top left - severe diagnosis/maximum mental wellbeing - a person with a diagnosis of a severe mental illness but who copes well and has positive mental health
b) top right - no diagnosis/maximum mental wellbeing - a person with no mental illness or disorder and positive mental health
c) bottom right - no diagnosis/minimum mental wellbeing - a person with no diagnosed mental illness or disorder but who has poor mental health
d) bottom left - severe diagnosis/minimum mental wellbeing - a person with a diagnosis of a severe mental illness and who has poor mental health.
I like this because I think it demonstrates that mental illness doesn't automatically mean people can't function well. Obviously both axis are on a continuum so not as black and white as it sounds above but hopefully if not seen it before it gives an idea of what it looks like.
Oh wow Bella, I hear you. Weary is the word. Also, and I feel like a terrible person saying this, I’m getting to the point when someone on Tv/Instagram/podcast etc says ‘we need to talk about mental health’, I actually cringe. Yeah, we totally do, but I feel like the statement is becoming a meaningless platitude. Phew, I feel better for getting that off my chest!…
This is so spot on I could scream in agreement!!
Yes! As a mental health professional and someone with diagnosed mental illness, I completely agree. It's so important that we stop watering down mental health and mental illness. There is a difference between normal emotional reactions and a condition which impacts functioning. I find myself loudly rolling my eyes as certain people bang on about talking about mental health without actually allowing the space to discuss all that this encompasses.
I really agree with you on the need to distinguish between mental health and mental illness. I also find it important to highlight the difference between stress and anxiety. They are so often conflated, but stress is an everyday, often helpful reminder of the busyness of life, and anxiety - particularly for those who experience debilitating anxiety - is completely different.
This is the first newsletter I've had in my inbox Bella for an AGE. Did you take a writing break? If not, where have they been going? Weep.
Loved reading a new piece. And as a chronic sufferer of panic disorder, phobias and health anxiety, I wholeheartedly agree. Humans want hard stuff sugar coated to make them more comfortable. It's partly why I've struggled maintaining friendships and relationships. AND, finding a true worthy therapist who aren't all textbook taught.
Thanks Bella x
I cant make sense of it all. Yes, some stigma has been removed around mental health but the battle is still very private. I volunteer for child mental health services, run a wellbeing campaign at work but will still think twice before speaking to ANYONE about my own struggles.
this is so spot on and oh gosh, do we need a fresh and REAL perspective on mental health, thank you bella! 🫶🏼
Thank you for saying so clearly and concisely what I have felt as a person who has had a lifelong struggle with severe OCD for years.
100%