Mental health has gained so much more exposure within the health industry and our society as a whole in the last decade than in thirty years of my medical profession. In 2016, it was popularised by the younger Royals, Kate, William and Harry and their campaign to support mental health. They took up the mantra of ‘Mental Health Matters’ to improve the conversation around mental health and reduce stigma. And in doing so they have done wonders for mental health charities, driving cultural change and raising awareness that society needs to change its attitude.

Many other high-profile celebrities have also chosen to share their journey with their own mental health struggles, again helping with the de-stigmatisation of how our society views mental health. And we cannot forget the death of presenter Caroline Flack which generated a huge public outcry in how we treat each other and showing compassion. Caroline wrote on social media “In a world where you can be anything, be kind”. Then tragically as we know, two months later took her own life. #bekind became a movement associated with Caroline and suicide, but in reality, the issue of mental health can be far more nuanced and deep seated than just a lack of compassion.

So this mental health awareness week, instead of relying on a hashtag or a celebrity endorsement, what actionable things can we as healthcare professionals do to bring about meaningful change within healthcare?

Open conversations.

Encouraging early intervention.

Education, especially in the young to create a culture of compassion and acceptance.

Training for healthcare professionals to promote support and resilience.

Support for the vulnerable in society, individuals less likely to ask for help and those groups most at risk.

Championing mental health charities.

And of course lobbying our policymakers for more funding for those oh-so vital, but often overlooked and brutally under-funded mental health services.

Tomorrow, I will take part in the NCIM conference on trauma – a significant risk factor for mental health. We hope to support healthcare professionals and their patients with trauma informed care.

One in four of us will experience a mental health condition of some kind at some point in our lifetime. Mental health is a fundamental right to wellbeing and no-one deserves to struggle alone.

Dr Elizabeth Thompson