Heads Together

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Price Harry were in the news today, talking about mental health issues, including problems the two Royal Princes,  experienced after the death of their mother, the Princess of Wales. Prince William was candid, explaining how he needed counselling to deal with the death of Diana; His Royal Highness, still feels the shock and horror of that day, at the end of August 1997. I was impressed with his words, given in support of someone else, who had lost two members of her family, through tragic circumstances. 

The surprising fact is, most of us, will suffer from mental health difficulties, during our lifetime. Depression is a fact of life for many people, living in today's society. I myself have had my own issues, made all the worse, by a charity, I used to work for, who used my illness, at the time, as a means for further destruction in my life. Part of the problem, was the lack of understanding, training and support for employees who worked in the charity, of which I was apart. This was particularly shocking, considering who they were. They should have been well aware of mental health issues, especially when one considers the volunteers who make up the work force; the life blood of this large trust; many of whom,  suffered and continue to suffer, the spectre of mental trauma, because of the inaction of their employer!

Talking about mental health is a problem for many people, especially those from older generations, who it has to be said, cope with this taboo subject, very differently, unlike people today. I know myself, from previous experience and talking to others, that many of us hide our feelings, afraid to admit, when there is a problem; it is easy to see why. Rejection, misunderstanding and an inability to see past the predicament at hand, is commonplace. Many individuals are left to cope, often alone, without the support they need to guarantee a speedy, successful and positive recovery!

The services available to those who are suffering from mental illness, especially at the beginning, during the initial stages, when diagnosis is important, varies dramatically from region to region, in the UK. Despite mental illness being a major source of concern for many, suffered by more people than any other disorder; under funding remains the biggest problem for successful treatment and aftercare. How do we expect people to move forwards with their lives, when we are not there, to help them through one of the most damaging periods anyone could experience.

Awareness is the key; Lets have that debate about mental health, something that hasn't happened up until now. I heard on the news last night that these three members of the Royal Family, have done more, to change peoples attitudes, towards this subject, in twenty five minutes, than one practitioner, had done, during his twenty five year career. If anyone ever turns around and says to you 'What exactly does the Royal Family do?', this is a prime example of just what their status and influence affords those they represent, in many different aspects, of all of our lives, not just mental health.

This has never been a fashionable subject to talk about, far from it, people would always close their ears and not want to hear the hard facts, the truth behind a stigma, that many people, carry around with them, for a life time. We have to make, people, like the charity I worked for, for example, aware of just what their lack of understanding and intransigents does to people like me. Many others suffer in silence, because no one is there, access to services is limited and this just isn't at the forefront of peoples minds.

All of us need to support, just what these three young members of the Royal Family are trying to do.  Read the charities mission statement, click on the icon, below the photo above, to take you to the 'Heads Together' website and do what you can to help, combat the myths, behind mental illness, continue the debate and help remove prejudice against all of those who suffer through no fault of their own!