INTRODUCTION
Mental health is an area of service that is not as well known or understood by people, but it is essential to people who are living with mental health issues. It is a service that can help restore or maintain the health of individuals or their families who experience mental health problems. The term ‘mental health’ refers to mental health problems, which are a collection of symptoms, including but not limited to, depression, anxiety, bipolar disorder, psychosis, mania, autism, schizophrenia, paranoia, and dementia. Mental health is an inherent constituent of the human condition, and the ability to cope with mental distress is an essential part of life (Makwana, 2019)
Mental health includes mental illness and the ability to cope with everyday life. Mental illness consists of all mental conditions that can cause distress and is commonly referred to as a mental disorder. Mental health has been linked to the menace of suicide in individuals with mental illness. A recent study found that 12% of persons with a mental illness have attempted suicide. Mental health is also linked to addiction and an increased likelihood of suicide (Banerjee, Kosagisharaf, and Rao, 2021). Additionally, mental health interventions are often not as effective as they could be due to the high stigma associated with mental health issues.
Mental health in the UK is increasing, but still very much a work in progress. A survey shows that mental health concerns are rising in children and young people, but they are not just a war on the young. In the UK, mental health problems are still significant even though the government has introduced large amounts of money towards addressing them. However, the introduction of the Mental Health Act 2005 has significantly affected how mental health is addressed. Mental Health Act 2005 has increased the roles of the NHS in dealing with mental health issues and has made it easier for the public to access mental health services (Wessely, Lloyd-Evans, and Johnson, 2019). In the UK, mental health is a very diverse illness that is not only affected by personal factors such as genetics, mental health history, and the individual, but also by social factors.
THE PURPOSE
Mental health services (MHS) have seen a dramatic transformation over the past few decades, moving from inpatient care to outpatient treatment in the community. An international standard comparison of mental health care systems is necessary for developing an appropriate balance and utilization of resources. Both the United Kingdom and France will be compared in this research. Not only is there a disparity in the number of mental health professionals, but there is also a disparity in the need for mental health services. To aid legislation and promote equal access to care across both European nations, it is critical to conduct systematic comparisons of MHS. Additionally, the comparative study will take place in light of the ongoing efforts of public health programs in both countries to promote healthy mental well-being and avert mental health problems.
A SUMMARY OF THE FACTS
Background
An individual’s emotional, mental, and social comfort all go under the umbrella term “mental health.” Because good mental health helps an individual deal with the usual pressures of life and operate efficiently, it is necessary. Mental illness is the foremost source of disability in the United Kingdom. Out of four individuals, one has a mental disorder in any given year. Poor mental health can be caused by various social, economic, biological, and psychological causes (Zhai and Du, 2020). The stigma linked with mental sickness is thought to be the most significant obstacle to persons seeking treatment and care. People’s views on mental health have shifted recently, though. Mental health services were primarily underfunded for a long time; since 2000, there has been a gradual decrease in the number of psychiatric beds available in the UK (Barbui, Papola, and Saraceno, 2018).
Anxiety, sadness, and psychiatric disorders are the most frequent forms of mental illness in the United Kingdom. Antidepressant usage in the United Kingdom has nearly quadrupled between 2007 and 2017 (United Kingdom: antidepressant pharmaceutical consumption 2017 | Statista, 2022). In addition, those with significant depression have a higher chance of taking their own life. Suicide rates among males in the United Kingdom were higher than among women in 2019. Self-injury is another prevalent habit associated with suicide, and the younger generation is more likely to engage in self-inflicted wounds.
Mentally ill individuals may pose a risk to both themselves and others. People who pose a danger to themselves or others can be held and treated under the Mental Health Act, even if they object. Patients’ rights and access to care are protected under the Mental Health Act 1938 in England and Wales and the Mental Health Order 1986 in Northern Ireland (Harrop et al., 2021; Campbell et al., 2018). On admission to a hospital in England in 2020/21, 35.3 thousand people were detained under the Mental Health Act.
French citizens were more aware of their mental health during the coronavirus outbreak. There was a steep increase in the incidence of depression and insomnia when the government placed the country under lockdown. Antidepressants and anxiolytics prescriptions soared. France’s number of psychotropic medication prescriptions increased significantly between March 2020 and April 2021. Social distancing techniques impeded access to mental health services. Teleconsultations replaced face-to-face meetings with mental health professionals in a flash. More than 77,500 mental health teleconsultations were recorded in France in the first four months of 2020, compared to fewer than 1,000 in the year’s first month.
Public psychiatric care in France is anchored by psychological Medical Centers (CMPs). These local outpatient care facilities result from a protracted process that began in the 1960s. There was an uneven distribution of CMPs per 100,000 people in France in 2018. By 2020, the number of psychologists in France outnumbered psychiatric doctors by a wide margin. CMPs must cover extra-hospital care and needs for the mental sector. These facilities provide a wide range of medical and social psychology services to patients at no cost.
According to the number of patients treated for psychiatric maladies, mood and neurotic disorders, such as depression and generalized anxiety disorder, were France’s most frequent form of mental disease in 2019. Addiction disorders were the second most frequent mental disease among men that year. Psychiatric hospitalization is currently reserved for life-threatening situations. The number of mental care beds in France has significantly dropped during the past several years. A poll done in 2021 found that the French populace had a favourable view of outpatient psychiatric care. Patients with acute mental problems in French psychiatric facilities are subjected to seclusion and constraint measures at the discretion of healthcare practitioners.
Current Status
Every one of us has a mental state at any given time. A good mental state is a precondition for success in life. To be able to think, feel, and act in a way that makes us happy and capable of dealing with life’s issues does not imply that we have a mental health disorder. That doesn’t mean we must live a constant worry, though. What do you think? Let’s put it to the test. The Mental Health Foundation hired Nat Cen in March 2017 to survey its panel members in the United Kingdom, and the results were released in April 2017. The researchers sought more information about mental health issues, how people cope with stress, and how people can cope with stress. Eighty-two percent of the interviews were conducted over the phone, while 18 percent were conducted online with more than 2,000 individuals.
It can be challenging to identify the symptoms of many mental health conditions. Psychological disorders are diagnosed and treated using two widely used diagnostic methods in America: This question has a wide range of possible answers depending on how it is framed. Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey found that one in six persons had recently shown indicators of a shared mental condition, and one in eight people had recently sought treatment for their mental health (Dagleish et al., 2020). Mental illness was reported to afflict 25 percent of people who participated in the Health Survey for England in the same year. In comparison, 18 percent of those surveyed stated that they had never been diagnosed. According to a 2017 survey, 66% of Britons have had some mental illness problems, with 26% claiming panic attacks and 42% reporting depression.
After 2000, mental health problems increased, while suicide declined. Suicidal thoughts rose from 3.8% in 2000 to 5.4% in 2014. According to a study of 3,500 adults by the Office for National Statistics, this year’s coronavirus epidemic has boosted depression to 19.2%. UK Council for Psychotherapy: Income cuts and fines are “toxic” to mental health.
Some areas have seen an increase in many individuals seeking mental health care, while others have seen a decrease. 40% of mental health trusts have had their budgets slashed by the government. Mental health organization Sane’s Marjorie Wallace said, “Cuts to services across the country continue, and people seeking care are still being failed.” After being referred for a diagnosis in 2018, many autistic children in England had to wait an average of 137 days, far longer than the target time of 91 days. At the end of 2019, the Voluntary Organizations Disability Group counted 2,250 people with special needs living in long-term NHS housing. Four hundred sixty-three people had been there for more than five years, and 355 had been there for more than ten years. It appeared impossible for these people to receive high-quality care in the community. Between 2011 and 2021, the number of NHS mental health inpatient beds decreased by 25 percent (Davis et al., 2020). The number of consultant-led mental health beds is expected to fall from 23,447 in 2011 to 17,610 by 2021. Children needing counseling for mental health issues will have to wait a very long by 2021. Most waited fewer than four weeks, 29 percent waited between four and 12 weeks, and 20 percent waited longer than 12 weeks. Some youngsters with mental health concerns were taken to A&E as they waited for A&E because of a crisis. Several children were moved to adult wards due to a lack of room in the children’s ward.
Key Considerations
Mental health affects a person’s capacity to handle obstacles and perform well. People in the United Kingdom are probably more disabled by mental ailment than any other cause. When it comes to mental health issues, one in every four people will experience them at some point. Various social, economic, biological, and psychological factors might significantly contribute to mental health issues. There is a widespread belief among the general public that seeking treatment for mental health disorders would result in social stigma. Thoughts on mental health have recently altered, according to recent polls. Before 2000, mental health beds in the UK steadily declined. Around 24,5 000 mental beds were available in the previous year.
Regarding psychiatric staffing in the United Kingdom, the number has amplified from about 8.2 thousand in 2000 to approximately 12.7 thousand in 2020. According to our analysis, poor mental health costs the economy significantly (Stansfeld et al., 2011). It can enhance the community’s general health while lowering mental health treatment costs by emphasizing prevention. Every UK government pays attention to the data and commits to investing in cost-efficient prevention programs that have been shown helpful. Evidence-based preventative interventions and policies are sometimes overlooked because they are too expensive. The treatment of mental health issues is not an option due to the rising costs for people’s health and our economy. It is estimated that investing in community-wide measures to prevent and treat mental health problems will boost our economy by hundreds of billions of dollars annually.
As evidenced by research undertaken in the United Kingdom and worldwide, mental health deterrence and treatment plans positively impact public health and the economy. We can accomplish this goal by addressing issues like postpartum depression, bullying, and social isolation in the elderly. Many well-documented initiatives have been made to promote good parenting, easy access to psychiatric and psychosocial treatment for those with specific needs, and creating and maintaining welcoming workplaces for everyone. A growing body of research demonstrates that parenting programs offer a considerable return on the money spent. Long-term savings of up to £15.80 can be predicted for every £1 invested in the program. It was shown that for every pound spent on mental health care, £5 might be saved.
Everyone in the NHS receives free treatment at the point of delivery, primarily funded by government taxes. Even if there are certain exceptions for the elderly, pregnant women, persons on welfare, and others, the standard price for all drugs is around $11. Because of excessive wait times and a lack of government funding, the National Health Service (NHS) is a frequent focus of British discontent. However, the general public holds it in high esteem and considers it superior to the US system, which relies on medical insurance. Companies restrict their access to care based on their ability to pay. According to a 2017 study conducted by the Daily Telegraph, many people are willing to pay a higher tax rate in exchange for additional funding for the NHS. Children, adults, and the elderly are eligible for accessible mental health care under the NHS. As part of a more extensive healthcare system, doctors and other medical experts are involved.
Psychologists in the community assess patients’ situations and recommend the best course of action. If you have serious mental health difficulties, you may benefit from seeing a psychologist, a psychiatric professional, or a mix of the two. Choosing one’s first mental health professional should be supported by the government. If a patient is dissatisfied with the practitioner’s diagnosis, a second opinion can be obtained, but it is not required by law. Patients who require a psychiatric hospital bed must join a waiting list for some of the services available. General government money is used to pay for health care services rather than a separate NHS levy. It is because of this that both of these concerns have arisen. As a result, it risks losing benefits due to budget cuts. Because of a decrease in government funding, mental health institutions have experienced overcrowding and extended wait periods due to fewer beds. Government policies and organizations like Time for Change (which is not technically an organization but is run by one) have helped shift public perceptions of mental illness in the United Kingdom.
Consequently, an educated guess is made about how mental health disorders affect the economy. Investing in effective preventative interventions has a solid economic argument, especially when the general public’s mental health is at stake. Health and social care providers and the government must work together more consistently and effectively to improve outcomes. Cost estimates as high as $1,179.9 billion are likely to be overstated because of the scarcity of information in many key areas (Plaistow et al., 2014). Due to overcrowding or lack of interest, many people who could benefit from treatment do not receive it. There will be a lot of health care costs because of this Costs to the criminal justice and housing systems include mental health-related expenditures, addiction-related expenditures, and expenses linked with self-harm and suicide. According to the most recent patient satisfaction data, people are less satisfied with community mental health services than they were in the past. The UK Household Longitudinal Study (UKHLS) analyzed data between April 2020 and May 2021 and discovered that more people than previously assumed were suffering from mental distress. First wave: Roughly a quarter of the population had considerably raised pain and recovered. At the same time, about a fifth of the population had persistently elevated anguish, and a quarter had slightly elevated distress and recovered, with more significant increases occurring in the second wave. New research shows that some people’s mental health may be affected by pandemic waves. Younger persons, women, those who live alone, those without a job or money, and those with COVID-19 symptoms were the most likely to experience long-term stress.
Options
Over 26,000 people in the UK were polled as part of one of the most significant ongoing research, and nearly half of those surveyed (over 18) reported talking to friends or family members to help maintain their mental health throughout the epidemic (such as mindfulness and meditation). Apart from medication, 19 percent of respondents said they sought support from mental health professionals, 8 percent from their primary care physician, and an additional 8 percent through helplines or online programs to enhance their mental health. People over the age of 65 sought less support than those under 25. Subgroups within the community could prefer different approaches to mental health care. People over 65 and those with less education were more likely to take medication for mental health issues and less likely to contact a mental health professional or use an internet forum for help. Drug use was also more common among the poor, the study found. Minority groups were less likely to take medication but more likely to use a hotline or online forum. Regarding caring for one’s mental health, women outnumbered men. Adults who lived alone were also more likely than those who lived with others to seek medical advice, practice self-care and open up about their mental health to others.
Mental health includes our thoughts, feelings, and behaviors. These decisions almost always result from an individual’s grief at losing a loved one. Chronic stress can have significant health impacts on the body and mind, including anxiety and depression. The information in this article is aimed to assist people in managing work-related stress in general. Preexisting health conditions may be exacerbated, and new symptoms may arise due to work-related stress. Employers are legally obligated to assist their employees with health problems, regardless of whether work creates or exacerbates them. It is vital to look into the prevalence of mental health difficulties at work to gauge the level of the risk to employees. As soon as a threat is discovered, it is imperative to take steps to reduce or eliminate it as much as feasible. Some recruits may have preexisting physical or mental health issues, while others may develop them due to factors unrelated to their jobs. Additional legal duties, such as those imposed by equal rights legislation, may force their employers into making the necessary adjustments.
Workplace stress and mental health issues are frequently linked, and their symptoms can be very similar. A preexisting mental health problem can be exacerbated and harder to manage if work-related stress is involved. An existing mental health issue can become so intertwined with work-related stress that it is difficult to separate them. Anxiety and depression can occur even if there is no external stressor present. Their main differences are their causes and how they are treated. Many factors might cause stress in a person’s personal and professional lives. Grief, breakup, postnatal depression, health conditions, or a family problem history are everyday life events that might trigger mental health difficulties. However, these kinds of issues can arise in people for a variety of different reasons. You can prevent folks from becoming stressed out by removing or reducing the stressors in their lives.
The Future
It will be easier for those needing mental health services such as shelters and safe havens to find them in their neighborhoods, and the Mental Health Act will be updated to give patients more control over their treatment. Mental health services in the NHS will benefit from a $150 million investment over three years, allowing those in need to receive care outside of the ER while enhancing patient safety in mental health facilities. A seven-million-pound investment in specialized mental health ambulances will be made across the country to minimize the number of persons who require ambulance transport and prevent the employment of police cars for this purpose. Emergency services can be relieved of some responsibility to improve response times and outcomes for those in need (McIntosh et al., 2014).
Volunteer-run “crisis houses” will allow persons needing mental health care to obtain it closer to home rather than in a hospital due to this investment. It is critical to boost local capacity to prevent preventable hospitalizations and unnecessary out-of-area hospitalizations. Patient outcomes should improve as specialists can treat patients in crisis at the appropriate location and time, decreasing the likelihood of readmissions. A significant benefit of the Mental Health Act is eliminating discrimination against persons with mental illness. Because of this disparity, people of color, Asians, and other ethnic minorities are more prospective to detainment under the Mental Health Act. Due to the legislation, more than ten times as many black persons as whites are subjected to a community treatment order.
NHS England is collaborating with mental health trusts to develop a framework to help them better serve patients from ethnic minorities. The legislation will handle people with learning disabilities and autism differently due to the amendments. Section 3 of the statute states that detaining people with learning disabilities or autism for treatment is banned. Only those with mental illnesses, such as autism or learning impairments, might be treated in a psychiatric facility. Mentally ill people will benefit from vicissitudes in the criminal justice organization. A 28-day time limit has been put in place to guarantee that defendants with serious mental illness receive the necessary treatment at the correct time.
Social Media
The general public has a wide diversity of opinions on mental health issues. A better approach to measure the degree of the gap has not been available until now. People who have mental illness can now talk openly about their problems. It is crucial to seek safe spaces for the unsayable by talking about one’s experiences with those who “get it,” rather than a hostile or apathetic group of relatives and friends. Due to this shared living environment, people who weren’t active in the discourse on mental health are now participating. A growing number of people’s perspectives on mental health are turning away from their own experiences and toward ideas and methods that everyone can agree on. As a result, new views on mental health have evolved among the general public. For the Journal of Social and Political Psychology, Diana Rose penned an article on mental health service users’ expanding forms of activism. It is now possible for people to engage in a variety of “hidden activisms” by joining groups and sharing their stories on social media. Social media has made it possible for people who have never met each other before to express their opinions and feelings on a wide variety of topics and events. New ideas and attitudes have developed through social media in the same way that mental health blogs in 2004 brought me new insights, fresh knowledge, and opinions.
Those with mental health issues can use social media to break free of conventional thinking and institutional practices that bind them. Liberation and dread go hand in hand when you decide to break free as a group. This community is now publicly discussing their perspectives on mental health. Thoughts and theories are surfacing in ways that point to exciting new possibilities. Regardless of whether they use social media, everyone is affected by this moment of immense upheaval, and you can see it in their actions. The relationship between mental health and social media has gotten much attention, but not much attention has been paid to how social media affects mental health more broadly. As social media has risen in popularity, information and power gatekeepers have responded by assessing its value from a distance (Gorczynski et al., 2017). No one can deny that social media and mental health are unrepresentative since they encourage both bad and good behavior, an arms race regarding public outbursts, and the display of talent. It’s a prevalent misperception that criticism of mental health and social media is inherently useless or only accountable to the people who made the criticism. This is erroneous and needs to be corrected. There are exceptions to every rule. Debates about mental health on social media often assume that they must respond to a larger context to be valid (Baker, 2020). People with mental health issues can express themselves freely and openly on sites like Facebook and Twitter, which provide a safe and open environment in which to do so. Mental illness sufferers’ perspectives on the subject are likely to differ from those held by institutions that have dominated prior discussions. A person’s self-esteem and ability to articulate their needs to the rest of society improves every time they can discover some common ground.
CONCLUSION
Some mental health issues may be linked to certain personality traits, eating habits, and coping strategies. Researchers have recently examined some of these behaviors. In several researches, psychological discomfort is related to eating habits, exercise, alcohol consumption, and sleep quality. For many people, “thinking positively” goes hand in hand with their involvement in the arts and other activities (Catalao et al., 2020). There is still a stigma attached to mental health care in the UK, which most Americans are unaware of. In the United States, seeing a psychologist is seen as usual, but in the UK, it’s seen as an admission of shame, and therefore therapy sessions are likely to be kept a secret. A sad individual is encouraged to “get on with it,” “sort it out,” and not “make a fuss” because of Britain’s prevailing cultural norms. Those seeking treatment are afraid to tell their coworkers for fear of losing their jobs. Furthermore, admitting that your job made you sad or anxious might be interpreted as an admission that you lacked the required qualifications.
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