World Mental Health Day 2016

Today is World Mental Health Day; a day recognised by the World Health Organisation (WHO) to provide an opportunity for all stakeholders working on mental health issues to talk about their work and what more needs to be done to make mental health care a reality for people worldwide. This year's theme is psychological first aid and the support people can provide to those in distress.

Turn2us research on energy costs found that one in two low income households were struggling to afford their energy costs, despite being in work, and over a fifth (21%) experienced stress and other mental health problems.

Mental Health in the UK

Statistics from the Mental Health Foundation show that nearly half of UK adults (46%) regret not investing more time in the relationships that matter to them, with men more likely to feel regret than women (50% compared to 42%). The report also found that more people identified maintaining healthy relationships as ‘most important’ to their well being (38%) than those who chose eating healthily (16%), exercising (10%) and avoiding negative habits (8%), such as smoking, combined. 

Turn2us support

If you are ill, injured or disabled, the ‘Ill, injured or have a disability’ section of the Turn2us website has information about ways you might be able to get help. This includes information on Personal Independence Payment and Employment and Support Allowance.

We also have information on the support available to people struggling to heat their homes. 

Our free Benefits Calculator can help you check your welfare benefit entitlements and tax credits. Even if you have checked before, it is worth doing so again, especially if there has been a change in your circumstances. You can also use our Grants Search to find out if you might be eligible for help from a charitable fund. 

If you are worried about any issues relating to your particular situation and would like further advice, you can use our Find an Adviser tool to locate face-to-face advice services in your local area.

You may also find it helpful to have further information and support from the mental health charities Mind and Samaritans.