My Voice: Five things to improve mental health awareness in Jersey

To mark Mental Health Awareness Week, Express has been speaking to local charities and organisations about five things they believe could be changed to promote better understanding of mental illness in Jersey.

This year, the national week – which runs from Monday 12 to Sunday 18 May – is focussed on the theme of community.

Mental Health Awareness Week aims to shine a light on the broad spectrum of mental health conditions that can affect individuals of all ages, and how society can bring people together in times of hardship, to improve wellbeing, support and recovery.

First up is Patricia Winchester, the CEO of My Voice Jersey – a charity dedicated to advocating for individuals with severe mental illness.

She shared the five things she would like to change in Jersey to help promote a better understanding of mental health conditions…

1. Leave diagnosis to professionals

I would encourage people to leave the complex diagnosis process of mental illness to skilled, highly trained psychiatric professionals – just as they would a cardio-vascular or oncology diagnosis.

2. Reduce medicinal cannabis reliance

As an island, I would think we should prevent advertising for, and significantly reduce the prescribing of, medicinal cannabis.

3. Focus on the positive

People should stop focusing on the negative near and far, and instead celebrate those special moments that come our way.

4. Personal growth from adversity

Individuals should be helped in realising that you can experience personal growth in response to adversity.

5. Improve social and brain health

We need to reduce our isolation, stimulate our brains and increase our social connections by participating in a range of activities with others.