Today is World Mental Health Day. This special day is officially commemorated every year on October 10th, and is truly a great opportunity to communicate with the general public about mental health issues. Here in Australia it’s also National Mental Health Week.

Without a doubt, mental health issues are a concern, and most people have been touched in some way or another, whether through personal experiences, or through the experiences of a close family member.

In 2005 the Australian Parliamentary Secretary for Health, Christopher Pyne, said “There is no health without mental health. Physical and mental health can no longer be separated.” This is so true!

Something which I hadn’t given much thought to, was the impact of world troubles in relation to anxiety, or depression. A YouGov survey commissioned by the Mental Health Foundation, found that 1 in 7 adults in the UK are reluctant to have children, and 1 in 4 are less inclined to plan for the future because of world troubles.

The survey reports that:

• 70% were most worried about terrorism.
• 58% were worried about immigration.
• 38% were worried about climate change.
• 23% were worried by the threat of a natural disaster.

So, how are global issues affecting our emotions?

Some respondents reported feeling:

• Powerless (56%)
• Angry (50%)
• Anxious (35%)
• Depressed (26%)

Dr Andrew McCulloch, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, said:

“Even if a threat poses very little actual risk, the worry is still real and can impact on a persons day-to-day life and mental wellbeing. If angst is reaching a level where adults are contemplating whether or not to have children, then this could be a serious mental health issue because the current global issues aren’t going away in a hurry.”

If you’re worried about global issues, what can you do about it?

Here are some tips provided by the Mental Health Foundation:

• Get all the facts and know the full picture, rather than relying on “hearsay” or “wives tales,” which are often untrue, or completely blown out of proportion.
• If the news makes you feel depressed or anxious about world troubles, take a break from the daily media for a while.
• If you feel strongly about an issue, join a campaigning charity that represents your concerns.
• Many people find comfort in religion, and indeed 12% of people surveyed found comfort in a religious, or spiritual belief.
• Remember that the likelihood of being caught up in a terrorist act is slim.
• Try to get practical help from your family and friends. If you have feelings of prolonged depression and anxiety, or post traumatic stress, professional help should be sought as soon as possible.

This week on Limes & Lycopene, Kathryn will be posting all about emotional wellbeing. Her topics will include food and mental health, online resources, and simple strategies for nurturing our mental health on a daily basis, amongst other things. Check out Katheryn’s site throughout this week for more great tips on this very important topic stream.

Best wishes!