Norfolk therapist urges all to reach out during cost of living crisis
The Royal College of Psychiatrists have warned that surging prices and inflation pose "a threat of pandemic proportions" to our mental health
A Norfolk therapist is urging us all to reach out to our friends and family and not shy away from our more negative emotions about the on-going cost of living crisis.
After the Royal College of Psychiatrists warned that surging prices and inflation pose "a threat of pandemic proportions" to our mental health.
"Let your friends and family know how you're feeling"
Ruth Noble, who's from Diss says it's good to channel our energy to where it's most useful: "Having some acceptance of where to spend our energy is quite a good way of managing our mental health.
"Putting energy somewhere where it is going to be useful and looking into looking after ourselves, is really good. It 's also very important to spend time reaching out to people and don't keep all your fears to yourself, share it with people and let your friends and family know how you're feeling.
"We talk a lot about a 'Mental Health Crisis', but we're not in control of those things that are causing the crisis. We are not in control of the things that are making our lives hard.
"But, if we call it a mental health crisis and put the onus on the individual to look after their mental health- we forget that there is nothing we can do about some of the things in the world."
"Let yourself, take care of yourself in those little ways because they add up"
She also told us that we shouldn't apologise for feeling negative about the on-going situation and also set aside time everyday, to re-charge our batteries: "Anger, fear, sadness- these are all perfectly reasonable responses to being stuck in a really difficult situation that we cannot control.
"It's alright to feel those things, don't beat yourself up for feeling cross and afraid. It's a normal response and you're a normal human being for feeling those things.
"Go for a walk in nature, have a bubble bath, whatever. Really indulge those things that sometimes feel like this is a really selfish to do, like putting your feet up and watching Netflix for an hour.
"If it's going to help full up your tank and rest you and prepare you, it's worth spending time doing it and feel okay about doing it. Let yourself, take care of yourself in those little ways because they add up."
What did the Royal College of Psychiatrists say?
The President of the RCPsych, Dr Adrian James said pressure on the NHS could reach unprecedented levels as people try to cope with rising prices.
He also called for a cash injection into services, saying there's a £300m "black hole" in mental health funding caused by inflation.
Addressing the RCPsych International Congress in Edinburgh, he also said that "Much like with the pandemic, those already living with a mental illness are more likely to suffer the consequences of the looming economic downturn, which will be felt for years to come.
Figures show that mental health referrals hit record levels of 4.3m last year in England and there is a backlog of 1.4m people waiting to start treatment.
Dr James said the extra £300m needed can be partly taken from the recently announced £1.5bn for local systems but further funding will be necessary next year.