Blog Post

Blog #1 - Mental Health Awareness Week May 2020 - Intro

Graham Foxwell • May 18, 2020

So, this week is Mental Health Awareness Week (18th – 24th May). It is good to highlight important subjects like our mental health with an awareness week, but the truth is, we all experience mental ill-health at some point in our lives. There are several statistics on this subject, but the lets go with the NHS one: 1 in 4 adults and 1 in 10 children are experiencing mental ill-health. That’s a lot of people struggling with mental ill-health right now.

We also need to understand that these statistics are based on recorded information or on people being diagnosed with mental ill-health; and we all know how bad we are at openly talking about our own mental health, so this is a bit of an “iceberg statistic”. i.e. these statistics are the tip of the iceberg and the real numbers of people experience poor mental health is the big bit underneath, that we can’t see.

With 54% of all work-related ill health cases due to mental ill-health* (Health & Safety Executive 2019) , and 17.5m workdays* lost to due mental ill health. (Office of National Statistics 2018) , Mental ill health conditions are the leading cause of sickness in the UK*. (Public Health England). According to Public health England e very year mental ill health cost the UK economy 70 billion. (Public Health England). So isn’t it about time we did something about it?

*This is also based on reported information, so you could apply the iceberg effect to this too.

With the current corona virus, these numbers are going to increase. The U.N. warns of a global mental health crisis due to COVID-19 pandemic. So, the UK and the rest of the world need to put in place support programs and networks to cope with this, just like the government and businesses have put in place for the physical side effects of the pandemic. Let’s not forget those who have been struggling with their mental ill-health for months or years, or those who are wrestling with it right now.

Over the next few days, I am going to try and share with you some of my thoughts, struggles and ideas. Please feel free to agree, comment, contribute or disagree with what I say. But let’s respect each other views and agree to disagree sometimes.

Tomorrow I’m going to try and talk about the difficult subject of grief. Many of us are grieving right now from losing friends, family and colleagues to this awful virus, as well as grief from being isolated, losing our freedom, losing a job, loss of financial stability, not being able to see partners, Family and friends and many more.

Thank you for reading

Kind regards
Graham Foxwell
Cedar Tree Mental Health and Well-being.

Thank you for reading. Please look out for future BLOGS and articles from Cedar Tree Mental Health & Well-being.

www.cedartree-mhw.co.uk #cedartreemhw

You can find the other Blogs in this series below (Mental Health Awareness Week - May 2020)

Main Site

For more information about the work & training do Graham Foxwell and Cedar Tree MHW do, please go to www.cedartree-mhw.co.uk

Photo by Emma Simpson on Unsplash

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#movember2023 – Week 3 - Supporting one another!

by Graham Foxwell • 13 Nov, 2023

This is a great video on the Ask Twice initiative. https://youtu.be/nOkH2jGK4p0?si=8L_RpzKqwkP0A6HG

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by Graham Foxwell • 30 Oct, 2023

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Keeping Fit is good for our mental health

by Graham Foxwell • 03 Jun, 2020

We all know keeping fit is good for our physical health, but did you know it is also extremely good for our Mental Health too?! Personally for me I have been really enjoying cycling during the lock down and have recently been going out with a good friend (social distancing involved 🙃 ), which has helped us both. I'm not particularly fit at the age of 53 and I am starting to fray at the edges a little bit, but the cycling has helped me not only with coping with the Covid19 lock -down, but also with everyday anxiety struggles with my mental health. Not only that, I have been getting fitter.... extending the range each time, starting at just 8 miles….. or should I say 13k cos it sounds more! 🤪 I am really experiencing the positive benefits not only physically but also mentally. So how about YOU? Maybe consider taking up some exercise during this lock-down and build it into your natural rhythm of life. It doesn't have to be cycling; It can be walking, running, dancing, Yoga, keep fit or Gym anything. Graham Foxwell @ Cedar Tree Mental Health & Well-being. www.cedartree-mhw.co.uk

Blog #5 - Mental Health Awareness Week May 2020 - Living with Parkinson’s Disease

by Matt Bourne • 22 May, 2020

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Blog #4 - Mental Health Awareness Week May 2020 - Who expected to run a Marathon?

by Graham Foxwell • 21 May, 2020

Through a number of groups, we work with, friends and family, I know many people are finding this covid19 lifestyle extremely hard. Whether you are shielding at home, furloughed, working full time or part time, one of our ‘keyworkers’ or other it is tough. You could be part of a large family unit or on you own, this covid19 lockdown will affect us all to caring degrees and in many different ways. Some are absolutely hating it and others are seeming to thrive. But one thing is for sure, everyone is affected and has had their daily routine, meaning and purpose disrupted.

Blog #3 - Mental Health Awareness Week May 2020 - HOPE

by Graham Foxwell • 20 May, 2020

This blog has been taken from the talk ‘Dare to Hope’ by Graham Foxwell of Cedar Tree Mental Health and Well-being. It is used in the Cedar Tree Mental Health Awareness course.

Blog #2 - Mental Health Awareness Week May 2020 - Grief & Loss

by Graham Foxwell • 19 May, 2020

Most people experience grief when they lose something or someone important to them. What you do.....

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by Graham Foxwell • 10 Sept, 2019

There are many common misconceptions about suicide that prevent us from talking to someone or recognising just how serious the problem of suicide is.

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by Sarah Pitt • 22 Feb, 2019

Its not often I put my life out on social media BUT wow what a hard hitting documentary showing the reality of living with DA and how hard it is to escape DA.this programme has certainly struck a cord with me and took me back to a very vulnerable & dark time in my life.

2am friend

by Graham Foxwell • 24 Jul, 2017

This was a question on the radio a couple of weeks ago. Who’s is your 2am friend? The other day I was discussing this with some guys in the Pub

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