WELLBEING documentary on the impact of his father’ s suicide and subsequent work on the Heads Together project as having a huge impact on young people.
He believes we’ re reaching a tipping point when it comes to societal acceptance of mental health issues.
“ I don’ t think it’ s brave to talk about mental health. You’ re not brave for talking about asthma. All that stuff is stigmatising – bravery, the courage to speak out. That means there is something odd or special about it. People go back to work after a broken leg or cancer, so why not mental illness?” he asks.
Access to treatment
Campbell would like to see parity of access to treatment between mental and physical health. A 2014 Mind report into talking therapies found that half of people who requested treatment had to wait more than three months, with 56 % offered no help at all. While waiting for therapy, 67 % became more mentally unwell, 40 % harmed themselves and one in six attempted suicide.
When you factor in reduced income for mental health trusts, the UK is facing a crisis.
“ The long-term cost of this is going to be enormous as we all live longer,” warns Campbell.“ It’ s cultural. We need to be more open in our schools, workplaces and in politics.”
Openness includes recognising the value that those with mental illness can bring.“ It’ s time to see the mental health agenda as an opportunity to create a better workforce and change the lens on it,” he says.“ Let’ s get the sparky, creative, energetic and different people in the room and let them show what they can do.”
“ My breakdown was like an explosion in my head”
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• Alastair Campbell is a public figure who has worked in government, journalism and broadcasting. As a young man, he suffered a psychotic episode and has dealt with mental health problems his entire life.
• He believes that young people are facing increasing pressure from exams, social media and society, which is causing a mental illness epidemic.
• While funding issues mean support for schools is low, the teaching profession can be part of the solution, helping to change the culture of how we talk about mental health.
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