Sharing the Second Journal on Mental Health Awareness!

One of my biggest goals of becoming President of the Nursing and Midwifery Association was to start a new NMA Journal. I am so excited to share the second edition we released, which you can read here. 

This was released in October 2019 and coincided with Mental Health Awareness month, hence the topic of Mental Health. We had so many brave people write in to share their own personal experiences and for me editing the work, it was inspiring to read all the hardships the students had been through.

Here's an excerpt:

Every year one in four adults - along with one in ten children - will have a mental health issue. These conditions can profoundly affect millions of lives, including the capability of individuals to survive, sustain relationships and maintain work.

The stigma attached to mental health causes a damaging, ill-informed, attitude, making it more difficult for those affected to pursue help. According to estimates, only a quarter of those with mental health problems undergo ongoing treatment. The vast majority are faced with a variety of issues, ranging from isolation to uncertainty. Questions arise on where to get help or information and many end up relying on informal support of family, friends or colleagues.

The best way to deal with this stigma is through facts and a better understanding of mental health problems. From identifying the causes, pinpointing solutions and ultimately recognising that we are dealing with medical issues, this is how society will create not only a safe space for people to discuss their mental health openly but also a space that saves lives. Your individual attitude to mental health could change someone’s life.