Headspace’s Post

Unless you have been living under a rock (and trust me, I know we all sometimes want to) you know that election season is upon us. From the first US Presidential debate last night to the UK election next week, 49% of world voters are heading to the polls this year. And yes with that comes countless breaking news notifications, social media posts, and feelings of anxiety, overwhelmingness and helplessness. To meet people in their most stressful moments, I’m excited to share that today we launched our Politics Without Panic campaign to help voters manage their mental health throughout the 2024 election season. Our Election Season Survival Guide includes an election stress assessment, mindfulness exercises and in app mental health resources. And because one of the best ways to combat these feelings around stress and anxiety is to get involved in the democratic process, we have partnered with Michelle Obama's When We All Vote (WWAV), a national, nonpartisan initiative dedicated to changing the culture around voting and increasing participation in every election, on a voter registration portal to help voters determine whether they are registered to vote and how to register. https://lnkd.in/giEGNmks

The general election manifestos are out. There are pledges around mental health staff and waiting times. There is even talk of Early Support Hubs in every community – which is huge. But this is not enough on its own to solve the emergency in young people’s mental health. Big issues need big solutions. It’s time for our leaders to be bold enough to ask why so many young people are reaching crisis in the first place. That’s exactly what we’ll be asking them to do as soon as they’re elected.

Is there a way we can tackle the mental health field in a more efficient way than prior? And how can we work with the government in order to change the way that mental health is viewed in western culture

Mental health must be a priority

I could not agree more. However this will require a revolution in the way government thinks about the problem. New approaches to Housing, Education, Health and Addiction and the Criminal Justice System must be considered to bring about the kind of social change needed to support parents and families, both as preventative measures against young people's mental health issues but also as a way to build a strong societal approach for supporting everyone who is vulnerable to poor mental health. This will require a government with the ability to think and act with the breadth of the Attlee administration in 1945. I wonder if we have politicians of that calibre anymore? I hope so. We need long term strategic thinking, not trite political soundbites. Sir Keir Starmer, we are all paying close attention.

The first thing to know about young people´s mental health, indeed anyone´s mental health, is that much like physical health, you don´t appreciate it until it takes a hit. Ever been temporarily or long-term affected by... - back pain? - migraines? - toothache /ear ache? - IBS? You know, those kinds of things that you just can´t escape while they´re flaring up but can also lie in the background with you managing to function. Mental Health problems aren´t like cutting your knee or finger, sorted out with a BandAid or a dab of TCP.... or getting up in the night with cramp that you can solve with some stretches. They can come and go, give you okay days, so-so days, bad days, and some days - or even weeks or months - that leave you completely unable to function. Our young people may have visible symptoms; they may be experts at hiding symptoms all through the so-so days until they suddenly can´t function. We KNOW that the pandemic left a lot of young people with mental health issues and that cases are on the rise. In 2024 we must do ALL we can to support and enable change and positive impact. Proud to be working for an education group Globeducate that takes its students´ mental health seriously, with robust training including regular webinars for staff and parents, workshops for students, and tight guidelines on how we safeguard. I wholeheartedly support YoungMinds and their work.

About time the mental health of young people was prioritised. It’s paramount for their futures and the next generation of adults… Get this right before it’s too late. #mentalhealthmatters #politics #psychology #economy #mentalhealth #healthcarecareers #youngpeople #nextgeneration

Supporting children’s mental health is crucial for their overall well-being and development. It is the foundation for their resilience and emotional health as adults. Please repost and get behind this plea. It takes a village to raise a child. #childrensmentalhealth #childrenslivesmatter #childdevelopment #childhooddevelopment #childrenswellbeing #therapy #therapist #therapyworks YoungMinds #goverment #generalelection #politicalagenda

Investing in prevention services and positive peer led education around wellbeing will also play an important role in tackling and reducing the mental health emergency that is impacting on so many children and young people. Youth work is part of that picture. Investment in good quality youth work (including youth work training) will reduce crisis spend in the future.

The intersection of politics and mental health demands our attention and action. By advocating for policies that prioritise mental health services, combat stigma, and ensure equitable access to care, we can create a more supportive and inclusive society. It's crucial to engage in civic participation, support mental health initiatives, and urge policymakers to prioritise mental health as a crucial aspect of public and business wellbeing. What are your planss for 2024? #mentalhealthmatters #nostigma #nofocusnocare #prioritizeyou #politicscare #mentalhealthisimportant #mentalhealthcare The Talking Point Group our passion!