October 10th 2023 is World Mental Health Day and the World Health Organisation states “it is to raise awareness of mental health issues around the world and to mobilize efforts in support of mental health”. At the launch of their campaign of ‘Our minds, our rights‘ today , marks an opportunity for people with mental health conditions, advocates, governments, employers, employees and other stakeholders to come together to recognize progress in this field and raise awareness of what needs to be done to improve the lives of people with mental health problems. ‘Mental health is a universal human right” it’s time to improve knowledge, raise awareness and drive actions that promote and protect everyone’s mental health as a universal human right. Everyone, whoever and wherever they are, has a right to the highest attainable standard of mental health.
Chronic Pain and mental health. Did you know that pain and mental health e.g., depression, anxiety and stress are frequently comorbid? Psychological support is an important component of treatment for individuals with chronic pain. The human experience of pain is both physical and emotional, and increasing our psychological flexibility can enhance quality of life for people with chronic pain. In some cases, this might mean softening our criticism of ourselves, dealing with guilt if we can no longer handle all of our responsibilities, coping with grief at the loss of our ability to work. Others may require support for anxiety, depression or thoughts of suicide.
People with chronic pain may also have had adverse childhood experiences that can influence how they experience pain. Examples of adverse childhood experiences include violence in the home, experiencing abuse or neglect, having a parent with substance use problems or mental health problems or experiencing parental separation through divorce or death. Psychological approaches can support people with chronic pain to heal from childhood trauma or post-traumatic stress disorder that may be exacerbating their experience of chronic pain.
Read more about psychological approaches to chronic pain and supports available including our monthly support meetings HERE
Did you know that the Societal Impact of Pain (SIP) Platform, a gathering of ten European professional and patient organisations have developed a Joint Statement on the close link between pain and mental health? The nine recommendations call upon EU and national policy makers to ensure a range of aspects related to pain and mental health are acknowledged in health policy. Find out more here.
