London-based, cognitive behavioural specialists, Efficacy, have launched a campaign, encouraging depression sufferers to write an open letter to their mental health issues.
Each year, Mental Health Awareness week focuses on a specific part of mental health. Last year’s campaign saw a focus on stress, and this year, the campaign is aiming to shine a light on the issue of body image.
People who harbour concerns about their body image are more likely to suffer from mental health issues. In fact, research has found that higher body dissatisfaction is linked with a poorer quality of life, psychological distress and eating disorders.
Efficacy: https://www.efficacy.org.uk/about-us/
According to a new online survey conducted by the Mental Health Foundation with YouGov, one in five adults felt shame, one third felt down or low, and 19 per cent felt disgusted because of their body image.
In addition to these statistics, the study found that over a third of UK adults have felt anxious or depressed because of concerns about their body image.
Efficacy was astonished by these results and fear the impact this could be having on people’s self-esteem and mental health as a whole.
As a result, Efficacy new ‘Dear Depression’ campaign is intended to encourage people to share an open letter to depression in unity of speaking out and seeking help. The hope is that by giving people the platform to speak openly about their mental health and even addressing it directly, it can be the first step of recovery for people who still may not be ready to seek professional help.
For more information on Efficacy and the CBT services they offer, head to their website: https://www.efficacy.org.uk/ or follow them on Twitter, Facebook, and Instagram.
Source: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/publications/body-image-report/exec-summary
