Tackling mental health problems

Modern medication is widely used in psychiatric care

In the early 1800's the mentally ill were thought to be a huge burden on society and should therefore be kept out of sight and out of mind.

This was reinforced by the 1808 Asylum Act which led the way for the mass construction of Asylums around the UK.

However, it was up to the local Justice's of the Peace to build such institutions and they were often reluctant to spend public funds on such a facility.

This meant that many mentally ill patients were sent to prisons and workhouses instead and were never given the chance to recover.

The majority of care however happens at home, with a combination of therapy and drugs. Some say there is still an over reliance on drugs.

A report by The Sainsbury's Institute in 2006 claimed that 59% of GP's admitted to prescribing antidepressant medications too readily, because access to therapy was too difficult and waiting lists too long. In the response to this, the government announced the IAPT (Improving Access to Psychological Therapies) initiative, which will see £173 million being invested in therapy across the UK by 2011.

Barton-Upon-Humber born, the Revd Chad Varah founded the Samaritans helpline

One in four people will suffer from a sort of mental health problem at some point, but not everybody feels comfortable going to their GP. That's why some local authorities have set up drop-in centres, like Open Minds in Grimsby.

This building is on a main shopping street in the town centre allowing people to walk in off the street and access therapy or even take part in group sessions, as well as Yoga and Pilates classes.

Essentially, people have control and choice with every aspect of their treatment, a far cry from the enforced and sometime unnecessary treatment that was provided at an Asylum.

In Scunthorpe, this idea has been developed even further with the launch of the E-Clinics scheme. Basically, people can log on to the E-Clinics website and book a therapy session, which can even be conducted online (almost like an online chat, but with a trained therapist).

The aim is to make it easier and more convenient for people to access support. They can log on from their laptop at home or have a chat with a therapist on their lunch break.

It is also an opportunity to reach out to people who are reluctant to seek help, predominantly men. The charity MIND claim that only 23% of men would see their GP if they were feeling low, compared to 33% of women.

Talking through problems with a therapist can help

It is hoped that schemes like E-Clinics and drop-in centres like Open Minds will make it more socially acceptable to admit that you have a mental health condition, even if it is just mild depression or stress and make it easier and quicker to get help.

Subsequently, reducing the number of people taking antidepressants and the number of people taking time off work for mental health related illnesses and hopefully in the future, eradicating the stigma that still to this day surrounds mental health conditions.