Glenrothes and Central Fife MP, Peter Grant has said that this year’s mental health awareness week is more important than ever. Mr Grant said that as Scotland enters its eighth week of lockdown people need to be fully aware of the possible impact of their own and other people’s mental health.
Mr Grant is asking people to join the ‘Time to Change’ campaign being run by the mental health charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness and says it is “more important than ever” to check in on friends and family.
Mr Grant said:
“Poor mental health can be every bit as debilitating as a physical injury. It can lead to the breakdown of relationships, can cause people not to trust those closest to them, and can even result in people rejecting the very support they need from family, friends and health professionals.
“I welcome the campaigns which have undoubtedly raised awareness of mental health problems, but we know too well that often those who experience poor mental health still suffer alone. This is obviously much more of a problem when we all have to minimise contact with other people to limit the spread of coronavirus. It’s vitally important to remember that the NHS is still there for people who are worried about either their mental health or their physical health.
“It’s also important to be able to ask those closest to us about their mental health. This is difficult because of the stigma that still attaches to having a mental health problem. People still see it as a sign of weakness to ask for help. Mental health problems often involve a loss of someone’s belief in their own value as a human being which makes them think nobody else should be bothered about their problems.
“So, on this Mental Health Awareness week, I am asking for you to ask those closest to you how they are, and if they don’t seem quite right, ask again.”