MENTAL health awareness week was held recently, and a woman from Bude is encouraging those suffering and living with an illness to reach out for support.

Suicide has been found to be the biggest killer of young men, the number of young people experiencing anxiety and depression is on the rise, and more employees are feeling the impact of severe stress at work. Mental health is a real issue, and a topic that many are attempting to steer away from those labeled under the ‘taboo’ kind, encouraging people who may be suffering in silence to open up to a friend, family member or just someone who is willing to listen.

The brain is not a simple structure, and with that in mind, there are many different kinds of illnesses that people with poor mental health can experience. These can include bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, psychosis, borderline personality disorder, post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and postnatal depression, amongst many others. Experiencing low self-esteem, loneliness, bereavement or a traumatic event has also been shown to lead to mental health problems.

Over recent years, the subject of mental health has become something that is encouraged to be spoken about, with ‘bottling things up’ or ‘suffering in silence’ leading to devastating risks.

Something that has recently come to light is the risk in young men, with suicide shown to be the biggest killer of males under the age of 45. The campaign, Time to Change, managed by charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, will run for five years, encouraging men to ‘be in their mate’s corner’ and support their male friends to speak out about how they are feeling.

It has been shown that men are less knowledgeable about mental health and have more negative attitudes to the topic; are far less likely to report their own experiences of mental health problems and discuss their problems with a professional; are more likely to say that mental health problems are the result of a ‘lack of self-discipline and willpower’; and are three times more likely to take their own lives than women, with suicide being the leading cause of death in men under the age of 45.

To mark #mentalhealthawarenessweek, Katie Brind, from Bude, has openly encouraged people in her community to reach out to those who may be suffering, as well as pointing out the benefits the rural countryside and Cornish coastlines have on one’s mental health.

She posted online: “Cornwall is such a lovely place to live, all the reasons I moved here, it just gets better. Do you know anyone who struggles with any type of mental health issue? Why not give them a call or text and check up on them? Let them know you are thinking about them even though they may not reply.

“Walking is great for your mental health and wellbeing and with all the beautiful places to go, why not try to get them out for a walk and coffee with you? It will mean so much to them.”

Katie has also experienced mental health problems in the family and personal difficulties after having a baby, which has made her more aware of the importance of supporting both family members and those who are suffering.

She said: “It is vital to raise awareness of mental health issues during not only this time, but on a daily basis. Education and raising awareness on what mental health is all about needs to continue, as well as education of the impact on not only the person struggling, but their family too. Work needs to continue to get rid of the stigma attached with suffering with mental health issues, to ensure that people suffering have the confidence to speak to someone and gain help. This needs to be without fear of prejudice and feeling weak for suffering.”

Katie says that recognising someone living with mental health issues is ‘imperative’, with those living with an illness often finding it a confusing, upsetting or frightening time, particularly if they have never experienced symptoms before.

Katie told the Post: “People often feel they are weak, worthless or are losing their mind. It is never too early to seek help. If you know someone you think may be struggling with a mental health issue, why not invite them out? Even if it’s just for a walk or a coffee, the smallest gestures really can make the biggest difference. Pick up the phone and call them — they may not feel like going out, they may not even answer you, but leave a voicemail or send a text message. Let them know you are thinking of them.

“They may be feeling lonely or isolated, and knowing someone is thinking of them or are there to help if and when they need may give them some much needed reassurance.”

Katie has, in the past, suffered from post natal depression, as well as dissociative seizures and anxiety and panic attacks. She says that having supportive friends and family is highly important to people’s wellbeing, but that there are also many local community and online groups that provide an opportunity for people to share their experiences and know that they are not alone in how they are feeling.

“Belonging to a community of people with similar experiences can lead to people feeling empowered about their own wellbeing and give them a sense of purpose,” she continued. “Talking from personal experience, having previously suffered with post natal depression (PND), dissociative seizures and anxiety and panic attacks, living around Bude can make a huge difference. Having moved from city-living, where jobs are high-pressured, working hours are long and lots of your day is spent commuting, the work and life balance can suffer.

“What I found has helped is having the beaches, lakes, woods, Bude Sea Pool and coastal paths on my doorstep — so many places to exercise for free. For me, exercise and talking to people and getting to know new people in the area where there is such a sense of community spirit has done me the world of good. There will always be good and bad days. As with most people, the issues don’t disappear. Some people can struggle once; for others the battle with mental health issues is an ongoing lifelong one — but having the support and being able to identify what it is that can help you, is invaluable.”

She continued: “Finding coping mechanisms that work for you can make such a difference. I had hypnotherapy, which changed my life for good. I deal with my stress and anxiety, and in turn my seizures stopped. Always be open to trying something and take the help offered — don’t ever feel ashamed to ask for help.”

Katie also thinks that exercise is something that can help, saying: “The benefits of exercise on mental health are becoming more prevalent. A healthy body equals a healthy mind — one cliché I don’t mind, as exercise releases tension, stress and gives you happy vibes! In October 2017, the department of health published an article saying that if you up your workouts to three times a week, it can reduce your risk of depression by 30%.”

Exercise has been found to help with stress and people’s mental health, with even a short walk found to be beneficial. According to Nuffield Health, people are able to ‘walk off stress’ with a method called ‘the rest and digest system’. Exercises that focus on muscle tension and deep breathing, such as walking, activate the parasympathetic system in the body. It is also known as the ‘rest and digest system’ because it is responsible for lowering the heart rate and helping the body to relax. It is the opposite of the sympathetic system, also known as the ‘fight or flight system’, which increases heart rate, blood sugar and blood pressure to help people respond when stress hits.

For emotional wellbeing, when doing high-intensity exercises, such as sprints or a combat class, the body needs to kick things up a notch, activating the ‘fight or flight system’. Taking a gentle walk can be a much more effective method of stress release. A 20 to 30-minute walk can release enough endorphins to help people feel relaxed and in control, without straying into the fight or flight zone.

Mental health issues aren’t just made up of depression, although this is a highly relevant illness. It can also include anxiety and panic attacks, bipolar disorder, OCD, eating disorders, PTSD, psychosis, schizophrenia, self-harm and suicidal thoughts.

Katie added: “Mental health doesn’t discriminate who it affects. You never know who or when someone may suffer — if you were struggling, you wouldn’t want to be judged. Try not to judge others, be supportive and ask questions, educate yourself by asking those who know.

“Don’t waste life having prejudice about anyone, spend time educating yourself and the next generation. If you are struggling, speak to someone, whether that’s a friend, medical professional or phone a helpline. Don’t suffer in silence, because even though you feel you’re alone, you aren’t — so many others are struggling with similar issues. There is help available, but you do need to ask.”