CMO Annual Report 2018/19 - Introduction

1 in 5 people in Northern Ireland will be affected by mental ill-health in their lifetime. The other 4 will know a friend, family member or colleague who will.

Mental health and wellbeing - definition

It is widely recognised that mental health consists of two dimensions:

(i) Mental wellbeing, for example, life satisfaction, emotional resilience and relationships with others; and
(ii) Mental illness such as depression, bipolar disorder, personality disorders, dementia and psychotic disorders.

Good mental health is, therefore, much more than the absence of a mental illness.

Stigma

One of the main barriers to seeking help for mental health problems is stigma.

Stigma can significantly worsen someone’s mental health problems, defining them as someone with an illness rather than a person with a meaningful voice and contribution to make.

We all need to tackle stigma to create a lasting, positive change in people’s attitudes towards mental health and to better inform people on the facts.

The Change Your Mind campaign, supported by the Public Health Agency (PHA), Comic Relief and Inspire, was launched on 10th October 2016 as part of a wider programme of work in schools and workplaces to help reduce stigma around mental health.

The campaign brings together the work of the PHA and Inspire to reduce levels of stigma, discrimination, and negative attitudes towards people who experience mental ill-health.

It also builds on the PHA’s campaigns to reduce barriers and encourage help-seeking behaviours, and Comic Relief's commitment to supporting mental wellbeing and breaking down the associated stigma and discrimination.

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