There is a sad truth about mental illness. Most notice the first signs and symptoms but have chosen to ignore it. It is indeed a stigma: people fear that they might be treated as different. Therefore, they brush it off without acknowledging the outcome of the condition. The condition is left untreated and most don't even seek support from their family.
Another sad truth: more than half of parents in England have never discussed mental health with their children. This is from a survey result, funded by the Department of Health with the hopes of eradicating the stigma linked with mental health.
The poll was conducted to parents with children aging 6-18 years-old. It was facilitated by Opinion Matters on behalf of the Time to Change campaign, ran by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness Charities.
The Department of Health supports this initiative. The campaign has received £660,000 from DOH.
The survey's findings were intriguing. Out of the 1,100 parents, 55% have not mentioned mental awareness to their children. 20% of these admitted that they did not know how to handle the issue. A disturbing 45% claim that the conversation is not needed because mental health "was not an issue."
The campaign was raised mainly for awareness and it now claims that one out of 10 young people will encounter a mental condition. The director of Time to Change, Sue Baker said, "This has to be the generation for change. Mental health problems are a common experience for three children in every classroom."
"Our research has shown that talking about mental health is still seen as too awkward for many parents and young people and we need to change that in the home, at school, on social media and in wider social circles."
It was found that last month, a different survey suggested that 62% of the youngsters relied on the internet to search something about depression. This just proves Anne Longfield's statement that the children do not have the confidence to seek for professional help concerning mental health. Anne Longfield is the Children's Commissioner for England.
The stigma about mental health has to be stopped. The youngsters need their parents' support more than ever. This generation has to invoke change.
