By Stephen Buckley, Head of Information for Mind.
Relationships on Female First
“Depression is more common than people realise and one in six people will experience it during their lifetime. By 2020 depression is estimated to become the second leading cause of health problems in the world. In its mildest form, depression can mean just being in low spirits. It doesn’t stop you leading your normal life but makes everything harder to do and seem less worthwhile. At its most severe, depression can be life-threatening because it can make you feel suicidal or simply give up the will to live.
“The symptoms and severity can vary hugely between different people, but in most cases the support of a partner can play a very important role in someone recovering from depression. Here are some suggestions for how you can help:
- Encourage them to seek help
Perhaps the most important thing that you can do is to encourage your partner to seek appropriate treatment. You can reassure them by letting them know that help is out there, and that you will be there to support them too.
- Get talking
It takes a lot for someone to say "I need help", but it doesn’t hurt to raise the subject yourself. Try to be open about depression and difficult emotions, so your partner knows that it's OK to talk about what they're experiencing. Sometimes you don’t have to explicitly talk about mental health to find out how they are doing – it can be as simple as texting them to let them know you’re thinking of them, or suggesting that you go out for dinner or a walk.
- Don’t blame
Try not to blame your partner for feeling anxious or depressed, or tell them to ‘pull themselves together’. They are probably already blaming themselves, and criticism is likely to make them feel even worse.
- Be patient
Someone with depression may get irritable, and be more liable to misunderstand others, or feel misunderstood, than usual. Your partner may need reassurance in some situations, and you may need to be patient with them.
- Look after yourself
Your mental health is important too, and looking after someone else could put a strain on your wellbeing. If you are able to stay well, you are more likely to be able to provide good support for longer, without getting too overwhelmed. So looking after your wellbeing is good for you and your partner. This could include trying to stay healthy and physically active, confiding in someone other than your partner about your feelings, taking a break from time to time and being realistic about what you can and can’t do yourself. Mind has lots of advice on supporting someone else: http://www.mind.org.uk/information-support/helping-someone-else”
---
Research commissioned by Moonpig.com, the UK’s favourite personalised greeting card and gift retailer, has uncovered how Brits living with mental health problems are facing their illness alone, with the younger generation being the most likely to do this. The new findings are released as Moonpig launches a new bespoke bouquet and Thinking of You card range, in aid of mental health charity Mind, to help raise money for the charity and spread the message that we all have a part to play in supporting those with a mental health problem.
The third Monday in January is often dubbed as ‘Blue Monday’, the so-called most depressing day of the year but Mind and Moonpig want to bust this myth and remind people that depression happens any day of the year and that friends and family can play an important role by staying connected all year round. They are urging the public to reach out to loved ones who might be struggling with their mental health in the same way they would if someone had a physical health problem, by sending cards, flowers and offering gestures of kindness.
The recent study commissioned by Moonpig found that half of those surveyed (50%) would send a get-well card to someone suffering from a physical health problem, compared to just a fifth (21%) of people who would send one to someone living with a mental health problem.
However, over two thirds (68%) of those who live with mental health problems said receiving a gift or a kind act would make them feel like someone cared about them, and a further 65% stated that this would make them feel as though they weren’t alone.
Mind’s Head of Information Stephen Buckley said: “Blue Monday contributes to damaging misconceptions about depression and trivialises an illness that can be life threatening. There is no credible evidence to suggest that one day in particular can increase the risk of people feeling depressed. 1 in 6 people will experience depression during their life. It can be extremely debilitating with common symptoms including inability to sleep, seeing no point in the future, feeling disconnected from other people and experiencing suicidal thoughts.
“This is why we’re thrilled that Moonpig has chosen Mind to raise awareness of this issue, and create a new range of gift cards and flowers to help raise awareness that no one should face a mental health problem alone at any time of year.”
Further research[1] has highlighted that one in five women (19%) had reported symptoms of common mental health problems, such as depression and anxiety disorders and that one in four 16 to 24 year old women (26%) have self-harmed, more than twice the rate in young men (10%).
With this research further uncovering that one in five adults (21%) reported that they had thought of taking their own life at some point, it’s clear that we all have a role to raise awareness about mental health and support our friends and family who may be living with a mental health problem.
To mark the launch of the new bouquets and cards in aid of Mind, the #PlantASmile pop up garden will be coming to London’s Observation Point for one day only, Monday 16th January, and will be open 8am-6pm. The installation will remind people that depression is a serious condition that is not dictated by one date a year. It will also highlight the significance of staying in touch with loved ones all year round, not just on special occasions.
The bespoke ‘Thinking of You’ bouquet and card range are now available to buy on Moonpig.com, with purchases from the range contributing to Moonpig’s donation to Mind.
Find out more about the #PlantASmile campaign at www.moonpig.com/uk/plant-a-smile and visit us at the below social channels, searching #PlantASmile to follow the noise.
[1] Taken from figures published by NHS Digital as part of The Adult Psychiatric Morbidity Survey, published every seven years and based on the results of a household survey in England
tagged in depression Partner