People in Suffolk urged to speak up about mental health to stop those struggling from feeling alone

People in Suffolk are being urged to be open about their mental health - and reach out for help if they're struggling.

It's as new research released by charity Mind on Time to Talk Day reveals a third of people surveyed in the UK (34%) say they would prefer to not talk about their mental health rather than risk an awkward conversation.

Martyn was supported by local charity Suffolk Mind after becoming depressed due to increased pressures he was facing at work.

He now volunteers with the charity helping others with their mental health and says leaning on others can make all the difference: "I was not in a good place at all.

"A friend of mine told me to give Suffolk Mind a ring, which I did. From then they came on board with me and we managed to sort things out.

"If it wasn't for them, I wouldn't be here now. I was pushed to the brink of no return."

"People just want to feel heard"

He acknowledges reaching out and making that initial plea for support can be tough - but tells us it's well worth it: "It is hard, that first step, but I used to stay in my house and lock myself away.

"I've now learnt that's not the thing to do. I have a dog and we're always out and about now - that's the way forward."

Since contacting the charity, Martyn's been supported by caseworker Nicki, who tells us there's always support out there: "We always get people telling us they don't want to burden there family with their fellings.

"We actually encourage people to talk as much as they possibly can and get it off their chest so they can start building themselves back up again."

She also encourages us to check in with our loved ones, giving people a chance to share how they're feeling: "It's about building that safety net so that people feel supported.

"Then they're more likely to open up - people just want to feel heard...

"I think we forget sometimes how many skills we have. It's just about being there, opening that door for someone."

"Barriers and delays"

This comes as a new study shows two in five parents who have sought help for their child's mental health said they did not get the required support.

The Children's Society said the polling showed the "barriers and delays" parents and children are facing in the current system.

The charity said its survey of 3,000 parents in England and Wales whose children are aged between four and 17 "reveals a system struggling to keep pace with soaring demand".

Just more than a third of all parents (38%) said they had sought help for their children, and of that proportion around 41% reported they "did not receive the support they needed".

Of all parents, more than three-quarters (77%) said their child's school offers mental health support, but only 32% said it was available full-time.

More than half (53%) of parents turned to schools for help first, followed by GPs (39%), while a third (33%) of parents said they would go to private therapists or counsellors for help.

About half (52%) of parents said current thresholds to get help and long waiting times are barriers preventing their children from getting the support they need.

According to NHS data, one in five children and young people experience a common mental health problem such as anxiety or depression.

The latest research comes as experts warned the Government will not boost economic growth and productivity until it tackles the mental health crisis in young people, which is costing more than £1 trillion in lost earnings.

Four mental health organisations have called on ministers "to acknowledge the scale of the crisis in children's mental health and ignore 'wishful thinking' that it is exaggerated or a result of 'over-medicalisation'".

"Parents aren't asking for miracles"

On the Children's Society polling, its chief executive Mark Russell said: "Parents aren't asking for miracles - they're asking for basic support before problems snowball, but instead are met with barriers and delays.

"Far too many children are counting down the days to crisis this winter - their childhoods are hanging in the balance.

"Children can't wait for weeks or months for treatment, they need immediate help before their issues hit crisis point. We must act now to ensure every child has access to the mental health care they need."

What does the Government say?

A Government spokesperson said: "Children with mental health issues are not getting the support or care they deserve, which is why this Government will fix the broken system and ensure mental health is given the same attention and focus as physical health.

"As part of our Plan for Change, we will dramatically increase access to mental health support and create the healthiest generation of children ever.

"We will provide access to specialist mental health professionals in every school, recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers, and we've already announced £26 million to open new mental health crisis centres."

If you're looking for support:

If you, or someone you know is suffering with their mental health, or experiencing suicidal thoughts, you can speak to your GP. If someone's life is in danger - call 999 immediately.

You can also find help and advice from these services:

Suffolk Mind - Call 0300 111 6000 - www.suffolkmind.org.uk

Hub of Hope - https://hubofhope.co.uk

Samaritans – Call 116123 - https://www.samaritans.org

Mind - 0300 123 3393 - https://www.mind.org.uk

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