The day raised awareness of suicide and suicide prevention, with a crucial message of hope. Find out what we’re doing to support parents experiencing mental health issues.
Thursday 10 October was World Mental Health Day. This year’s theme, set by the World Federation for Mental Health, was suicide prevention.
Mark Rowland, the Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, writes in a blog on the Mental Health Foundation website: ‘Our message on suicide prevention this World Mental Health Day is one of hope.
‘Hope is like oxygen for our mental health. It is the vital ingredient in supporting people to hold on…
‘We will all benefit if we create a society where we can ask for help, experience less trauma and distress and where support is on hand when we need it.’
On Thursday 3 October, the House of Commons debated women’s mental health. A number of MPs supported our #HiddenHalf campaign. They highlighted statistics from our research showing that nearly half of all new mothers’ mental health issues slip through the net.
MPs also shared their own stories of mental ill health, with MP Ellie Reeves’s account being particularly moving.
MPs from all sides of the House called for a funded postnatal check for mums to be included in the new GP contract. In response, Health Minister Nadine Dorries MP announced that she hoped to ensure this would happen in all GP contracts in future.
With negotiations for the new English GP contract set to begin any day now, it is vital that this issue gets as much attention as possible. Join the fight here and add your voice to the campaign.
Find out how you can get involved in our #HiddenHalf campaign and help new mums struggling with mental health issues.
Read our articles on how you might be feeling while you’re pregnant and after the birth of your baby.
We also know that dads can suffer from mental health issues too. Men can find support and information on our website.
