Mental Health
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Mental health is something that exists within everyone. Just like you would take care of your physical health, you should also make sure you are taking care of your mental health. Trying to keep on top of your mental health is not something that makes you any different than anyone else. A third of GP appointments relate to mental health and 12% of Scots have been prescribed anti-depressants. Throughout the world, there unfortunately exists a stigma around talking about mental health, this comes true for women as well as men, who often feel it is humiliating to talk about their mental health. |
Twice as many women see their GP about a mental health concern than men, but the suicide rate is 3 times higher in men than women in Scotland. Women’s mental health, however, is also affected by issues like sexism and sexual harassment at home or in the workplace. Mental health is not something you should ignore, neither is it something that should take over your life. Making sure that you and those around you are in a good place mentally is an important part of staying happy.
Effects of Mental Health
Your mental health can be affected in very different ways that vary from person to person. Some could face anxiety; others could face depression or a range of other conditions and disorders. However, there are some common effects of mental health conditions and disorders.
Your mental health can be affected in very different ways that vary from person to person. Some could face anxiety; others could face depression or a range of other conditions and disorders. However, there are some common effects of mental health conditions and disorders.
- Uncomfortable being with others in groups.
- Constant feeling of tiredness and lack of motivation.
- Problems meeting deadlines which further increases workload.
- Difficulty focusing or concentrating on work, which is known as a short attention span.
- May impact relationships with friends and family members.
Myth Busting
Due to the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health, we would like to dispel some of the myths about it.
Mental health problems are rare.
This is false: 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in their lifetimes. You are not alone and having problems with your mental health does not make you any less normal.
Men are not affected by mental health.
This is also false: Men are affected by mental health, the same as everyone else. No matter who you are, you should always seek for help if you are feeling down.
All mental health disorders are life-long conditions.
False: This varies from person to person. Some conditions require life-long assistance, and some do not. The effects of life-long conditions can also be decreased through support.
There’s nothing I can do to help someone suffering from mental health problems.
If you think someone you know is not in a good place and you don’t know what to do, you can:
Due to the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health, we would like to dispel some of the myths about it.
Mental health problems are rare.
This is false: 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem in their lifetimes. You are not alone and having problems with your mental health does not make you any less normal.
Men are not affected by mental health.
This is also false: Men are affected by mental health, the same as everyone else. No matter who you are, you should always seek for help if you are feeling down.
All mental health disorders are life-long conditions.
False: This varies from person to person. Some conditions require life-long assistance, and some do not. The effects of life-long conditions can also be decreased through support.
There’s nothing I can do to help someone suffering from mental health problems.
If you think someone you know is not in a good place and you don’t know what to do, you can:
- Check in
- Listen and don’t judge
- Treat them with respect
- Ask twice
Anxiety and Panic Attacks
Anxiety is a feeling of worry and fear that everyone experiences at some point in their life. Anxiety can be mild or severe and affects everyone differently
Anxiety can be a common feeling that you may feel in certain situations (e.g. exams, interviews, presentations), this form of anxiety is healthy and most people will experience this at least once in their life
However, many people experience an anxiety disorder, which means they experience frequent worry and fear in their everyday life in simple situations. Many people believe that anxiety is not a serious issue, however anxiety can have serious effects on people’s mental and physical health.
In some situations, anxiety can cause serious damage to people’s bodies, as it can affect your sleep, appetite, concentration etc.
A panic attack is a sudden feeling of intense anxiety and can happen to anyone.
Panic attacks can have many physical symptoms, such as: shaking, feeling disoriented, nausea, rapid irregular heart rate, dry mouth, breathlessness, sweating, dizziness etc
Different people can experience different symptoms when having panic attacks which may not be typical symptoms.
There are many strategies people can use to try and calm down from a panic attack, such as focusing on their breathing, distracting themselves, focusing elsewhere, practice mindfulness, drinking water etc.
Panic attacks can have many different causes. Panic attacks are often a build-up of various thoughts that can take over the mind
However, some attacks similar to these may not have a cause and could be completely random, but are still overwhelming feelings of nervousness
What you can do:
Anxiety is a feeling of worry and fear that everyone experiences at some point in their life. Anxiety can be mild or severe and affects everyone differently
Anxiety can be a common feeling that you may feel in certain situations (e.g. exams, interviews, presentations), this form of anxiety is healthy and most people will experience this at least once in their life
However, many people experience an anxiety disorder, which means they experience frequent worry and fear in their everyday life in simple situations. Many people believe that anxiety is not a serious issue, however anxiety can have serious effects on people’s mental and physical health.
In some situations, anxiety can cause serious damage to people’s bodies, as it can affect your sleep, appetite, concentration etc.
A panic attack is a sudden feeling of intense anxiety and can happen to anyone.
Panic attacks can have many physical symptoms, such as: shaking, feeling disoriented, nausea, rapid irregular heart rate, dry mouth, breathlessness, sweating, dizziness etc
Different people can experience different symptoms when having panic attacks which may not be typical symptoms.
There are many strategies people can use to try and calm down from a panic attack, such as focusing on their breathing, distracting themselves, focusing elsewhere, practice mindfulness, drinking water etc.
Panic attacks can have many different causes. Panic attacks are often a build-up of various thoughts that can take over the mind
However, some attacks similar to these may not have a cause and could be completely random, but are still overwhelming feelings of nervousness
What you can do:
- Surround yourself with people you love and enjoy being around.
- Keep on top of responsibilities.
- Put some time on relaxation and hobbies.
- Sleep well.
- Reach out to someone you feel safe around and trust.
- Mindfulness- Mindfulness involves different activities that help you focus on your own feeling and mental wellbeing including meditation, peaceful music etc.
Helpful Contacts and Websites
Rights of the Child
Our school is committed to following Article 24 and 29 of the UNCRC to allow both pupil’s health and education to be the highest quality achievable.
Link to Article 24 (physical and mental health): https://cypcs.org.uk/rights/uncrc/articles/article-24/
Link to Article 29 (education): https://cypcs.org.uk/rights/uncrc/articles/article-29/
If you would like anything added to this page relating to mental health, please contact cara.hughes@south-ayrshire.gov.uk
Thank you for reading and have a great day.
-Prestwick Academy Staff and Pupils
- Anxiety UK- 03444775774 (Monday- Friday, 9:30am-5:30pm) or www.anxietyuk.org.uk
- Prestwick Academy Library Website-
- Papyrus- 08000684141
- Young Minds- 08088025544 (Monday- Friday, 9:30am-4pm)
Rights of the Child
Our school is committed to following Article 24 and 29 of the UNCRC to allow both pupil’s health and education to be the highest quality achievable.
Link to Article 24 (physical and mental health): https://cypcs.org.uk/rights/uncrc/articles/article-24/
Link to Article 29 (education): https://cypcs.org.uk/rights/uncrc/articles/article-29/
If you would like anything added to this page relating to mental health, please contact cara.hughes@south-ayrshire.gov.uk
Thank you for reading and have a great day.
-Prestwick Academy Staff and Pupils
