A Slice of Mental Health

Inspired by a friend's post a few days ago (well more than a few by the time I've got this finished) I want to say something about mental health.

It was mentioned on the news today that GPs have been recommended to watch out for signs of depression and anxiety in carers - those who take on the demanding role of caring for a family member, friend or neighbour. As a particular susceptible group, I think that's a great idea, but then I think - 'Shouldn't we be looking out for the signs of poor mental health in everybody?'.

If you limped into a GPs appointment then they'd ask if everything's ok with your leg. Signs of poor mental health can be much less obvious, so to me it would seem imperative to do something proactive about it. Especially as there often feels like a taboo around the subject.

A few years ago, after a series of incidents, I started experiencing panic attacks. Having been asthmatic since 11, and with nobody ever really talking to me about the physical symptoms of a mental health problems, I had no idea what was wrong with me - I thought it was some kind of asthmatic attack combined with feeling feint. It was only after the attacks were exacerbated by taking on a stressful job that I sought out medical help. A nurse at the local walk-in centre diagnosed it from my description and gave me information on panic attacks.

My GP referred me to a counselling service, but because I said I wasn't suicidal there was a 3 month wait for my first appointment. I'd never been good at expressing how I felt in words and I chickened out and cancelled before that first appointment ever happened.

I've been recommended a counsellor, or giving information about such a service, several times since. Not once actually going.I was scared.

It's only since being with my partner, who grew up with the US health care system and absolutely loves therapy and the support it's given her, that I've a) been able to talk about my emotions and thoughts more readily, and b) come to think that mental health is as, if not more, important than physical health. I also think it's been many years since I was as mentally healthy as I am currently. Right now I wish I'd gone for that counselling the first time it was offered, that I'd learnt to talk about how I feel sooner, and how to process things that have happened to me in the past.

I've been thinking about all the things I've heard about health in the global development sphere - particularly the planning of the Post-2015 Agenda. Rarely is mental health mentioned. If we want to see true development for everybody, then we need to start taking a holistic view of well-being. It's particularly relevant for including gender-based violence - indeed violence in any form - as whilst the physical injuries may be treated, the mental repercussions of such experiences need treatment too.

We need to start talking. About mental health and about gender based violence. The two are often linked.