ISSUE 5 | CHRISTMAS, NEW YEAR AND JANUARY WWW.ASPIRE2.ORG.UK 1 MENTAL HEALTH NEWSPAPER One in seven children develop a mental illness according to major new study Page 11 Almost one in five under-18s wait over four hours in A&E for mental health care Page 13 Christmas, New Year and Loneliness The mental health implications of loneliness over the festive period and beyond. Pages 23 and 29. Looking after your New Year’s Resolutions: Q&A with ex- mental health at Setting them with self-compassion Dragon Theo Christmas and the true meaning Paphitis Page 22 Pages 18 and 25 Page 36 2 Alcoholics Anonymous Mencap PAPYRUS www.alcoholics-anonymous.org.uk www.mencap.org.uk Young Suicide Prevention Charity 0845 769 7555 0808 808 1111 www.papyrus-uk.org 0800 068 4141 Alzheimer’s Society Men’s Health Forum www.alzheimers.org.uk www.menshealthforum.org.uk Relate 0300222 1122 020 7922 7908 www.relate.org.uk 0300 100 1234 Anxiety UK Mental Health Foundation www.anxietyuk.org.uk www.mentalhealth.org.uk Refuge 08444 775 774 www.refuge.org.uk 0808 802 5544 Mind BEAT www.mind.org.uk www.b-eat.co.uk 0300 123 3393 Rethink Mental Illness 0800 801 0711 www.rethink.org 0300 5000 927 Narcotics Anonymous Bipolar UK www.ukna.org www.bipolaruk.org.uk 0300 999 1212 Samaritans 0333 323 3880 www.samaritans.org.uk 116 123 No Panic CALM www.nopanic.org.uk www.thecalmzone.net 0844 967 4848 Sane www.sane.org.uk [email protected] Cruse Bereavement Care NSPCC 0845 767 8000 www.crusebereavementcare.org.uk www.nspcc.org.uk 0844 477 9400 0808 800 5000 Shout www.giveusashout.org Depression Alliance OCD Action Text SHOUT to 85258 www.depressionalliance.org www.ocdaction.org.uk 0845 390 6232 Victim Support Family Lives www.victimsupport.org www.familylives.org.uk OCD UK 0808 168 9111 0808 800 2222 www.ocduk.org 0845 1203778 Young Minds Gamblers Anonymous www.youngminds.org.uk www.gamblersanonymous.org.uk 0808 802 5544 0845 769 7555 ISSUE 5 | CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR WWW.ASPIRE2.ORG.UK NEWS 3 The Aspire2 Mental Health Media and Events team: Mental health needs you Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year from Aspire2. Enjoy some well-earned rest! Editorial Firstly, I’d like to thank you for reading struggle to get help with physical health Sam this digital newspaper. The idea was conditions, what hope do we have for Senior Editor and Designer for this to be our first physical copy but mental health ones? [email protected] unfortunately, we have been let down by our sponsor at the eleventh hour. Read As reported in this month’s Aspire2, Alex more about that below this column. almost one in five under-18s wait over Deputy Editor, Feature four hours in A&E for mental health Correspondent and Digital Artist Secondly, I hope you and your family care. We also learned earlier this year [email protected] have a great Christmas and a Happy that people are being sent miles from New Year and you’re able to get the home because of a mental health beds Tom much-needed rest that so many of us shortage and that we are experiencing Digital & Media Pod Correspondent find so little time for. Our mental health a national shortage of psychiatrists. On [email protected] relies on stress-relief and down-time. top of this, the suicide rate rose this year to a level not recorded since 2002. As we head into the new year following Management the results of the general election, it is If things are going to get better, mental vital that we don’t forget the needs of health services and the NHS as a whole Peter those with mental health conditions. By desperately need funding. Operations Manager now, it is clear that the election was won [email protected] on one policy alone: Brexit. But it’s more than that. The fact that Brexit was the main policy people Connor While it’s understandable that many are voted for means that as a nation, we Deputy Operations Manager passionate about seeing Brexit done are not taking health concerns seriously [email protected] (or undone) in the way they wanted, it enough. This simply has to change if is worrying that this issue completely mental health in the UK is to improve. Marketing and PR dominated the election when so many We need to continue the fantastic work other aspects of society are in crisis. of raising awareness of mental illness Tiegan and make sure the new government Social Media & Marketing Manager Take, for example, the NHS. Our country knows how vital it is that we make [email protected] relies on this incredible service which is progress. sadly in freefall. Mental healthcare is in James trouble if the NHS is. If we’re going to Sam Atkin, Senior Editor. Public Relations/Media & Digital Consultant [email protected] Can you help us? Advertising and Sales Providing news and views, bringing digital-only newspaper once again. together charities, signposting services This was devastating and showed Bobby and publishing helpful and interesting more than ever how important it is Advertising & Sales Manager articles, Aspire2 is a project to put that businesses display a real care and [email protected] mental health on the frontline of public understanding of mental health. consciousness. Finance and Administration Here’s where you can help us move We aimed to do this by launching our forward to that vital first physical- Janet first FREE physical-copy newspaper copy newspaper Finance & Administration this month. Everything was in place: Consultant the printers, the distributors and the We are still looking for sponsors for [email protected] sponsor who would help us fund the our newspapers. If you would like to free newspaper. get involved and show your business’ Follow us on social media: support for mental health, please As mentioned, the sponsor pulled out contact Peter at [email protected] at the last moment and so we were to discuss how you can help us, with a left with the only option of cancelling range of options including advertising our physical launch and making this a and editorial. 4 We support... YOU? If you would like your mental health charity to appear here, contact Peter at [email protected] ISSUE 5 | CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR WWW.ASPIRE2.ORG.UK NEWS 5 UK said: “It's clear that many young people face challenges with their mental health before they enter the workforce and while working, and that they are affected more often than their senior peers. Therefore, mental health must be a priority issue for employers,” Businesses need to ensure there is "an open, supportive work environment which enables employees of all ages to look after their mental health, support one another, and perform at their best,” Harvey said. The study highlighted the importance of a supportive working environment, with 41% of workers in such workplaces Nearly half of workers aged experiencing mental health challenges compared to 65% in less supportive 18-30 have had suicidal thoughts companies. Survey finds that young people also feel more pressure in This Can Happen founder Zoe Sinclair their lives than older colleagues said: “With this survey we hope that many employers will examine their Research on nearly 4,000 people over workers admitted to avoiding talking recruitment, induction and management two years has found that 48% of workers about their mental health while at work, styles to support younger members of aged 18-30 had experienced suicidal compared to 22% of older employees. their workforce.” thoughts or feelings, compared to 35% of older colleagues. On top of this, 40% of younger workers “Undertaking large scale insightful said the pressure of their job affected research programmes that highlight the The survey by Accenture on behalf of them on a daily basis. challenges faced by those entering the This Can Happen (a conferenced on workforce is an integral part of what This positive mental health in the workplace) Barbara Harvey, managing director Can Happen and Accenture are working also found that 45% of 18-30 year-old and mental health lead for Accenture towards.” Help for suicidal thoughts If you’re feeling like you want to die, Samaritans – for everyone Childline – for children and young it’s important to tell someone. Call 116 123 people under 19 Email [email protected] Call 0800 1111 – the number won’t Help and support is available right show up on your phone bill now if you need it. You don’t have to Campaign Against Living Miserably struggle with difficult feelings alone. (CALM) The Silver Line – for older people Call 0800 58 58 58 – 5pm to Call 0800 4 70 80 90 Phone a helpline midnight every day. These free helplines are there to Talk to someone you trust help when you’re feeling down or Let family or friends know what’s desperate. Unless it says otherwise, Papyrus – for people under 35 going on for you. They may be able to they’re open 24 hours a day, every Call 0800 068 41 41 – Monday to offer support and help keep you safe. day. Friday 10am to 10pm, weekends 2pm to 10pm, bank holidays 2pm to There’s no right or wrong way to talk IMPORTANT: If your life is in danger 5pm about suicidal feelings – starting the Text 07786 209697 conversation is what’s important. call 999. Email [email protected] ISSUE 5 | CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR WWW.ASPIRE2.ORG.UK 6 ISSUE 5 | CHRISTMAS AND NEW YEAR WWW.ASPIRE2.ORG.UK NEWS 7 FA Cup third round ties to kick off late for Children with mental health campaign suspected Matches in the third round of this season’s FA Cup will kick autism wait off a minute late as part of a campaign Heads Up and the over 19 NHS’ Every Mind Matters, which aims to promote better mental weeks for first health.