March
A new study showed population level studies are useful when looking at the big mental health picture, but crucially, they can mask the inequalities of vulnerable groups. The review examined 137 published studies measuring psychological distress before, during and after the COVID pandemic and did confirm women saw greater increase in depression symptoms than men.
April
This was the seasons for Stress Awareness Month and MQ covered the most stressful industries to work in, one of the most popular articles on our website in 2023, and how employers can help employees manage their stress levels.
May
In 2023, the theme for Mental health Awareness Week was ‘anxiety’. In response, MQ published articles including exploring what is anxiety and what is anxiety disorder as well as personal stories around what it feels like to have a panic attack, highlighting the prevalence of experiences of anxiety disorder as well as the importance of mental health in our political landscape post-pandemic.
The Coronation gave the UK a new king, the first for 70 years, and an opportunity to consider royal public figures who have been open about their mental health experiences or supporters of mental health charities and organisations.
In May this year, more detail was released of what the November 2022 UK Government announcement of a new approach to health challenges meant for mental health research. This included £42.7 million for mental health research with funding spread across the UK and the Mental Health Mission was launched aiming to accelerate research across the country.
Labour announced a new suicide prevention policy. Keir Starmer spoke about Labour’s plan to build an NHS Fit for the Future. The policies announced focused on reforming the NHS and set targets for three of the UK’s ‘biggest killers’: cancer, cardiovascular disease and suicide.
June
The Cost of Living Crisis Report was published. MQ and Glasgow University produced a set of recommendations to help the UK better respond to the mental health issues arising from the ongoing cost-of-living-crisis. This year MQ followed up on this by also publishing ideas on how to look after your mental health on a budget and also coping with the cost of living crisis.
Schools that implement punitive approaches to children’s behaviour as opposed to addressing the root causes harms children’s mental health, a new report published this month stated.
July
Mental health experts, charity bosses and people with ‘lived experience’ called on the Government to reinstate the 10-year Mental Health Strategy, with MQ being front and centre. On Thursday 20 July, MQ hand-delivered a letter to 10 Downing Street. The letter, from 56 mental health leaders including academics, health practitioners, charity bosses and lived experience experts asked the UK Prime Minister to reverse the government’s decision to scrap the 10-year Mental Health Strategy originally due to be published this year.
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