How to overcome your own mental health preconceptions

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2020 has taken a mental health toll on us all. For some, stigmas could prevent them or family members from getting the help they need. Mental health problems are on the rise: one in four adults and one in 10 children are now thought to experience mental health issues, which means that almost all of us will know someone who is suffering[i].

Recent data from Bupa Global’s Executive Wellbeing Index found that 70%[ii] of high net worth individuals from around the world have experienced symptoms of mental ill-health since the pandemic started, with 21% suffering from fatigue, 22% from disturbed sleep, and 23% enduring low moods and anxiety. 41% of high net worth individuals feel that speaking about mental health would be seen as a sign of weakness in their family and 33% feel it could impact on their own social standing or professional reputation.

But it’s not just us – our families are struggling, too. A study by researchers at the University of Oxford of more than 10,000 parents of British children aged 4-10 years old, has found that they saw increases in their child’s emotional difficulties, such as feeling unhappy or worried, which resulted in behaviours including being clingy[iii].

MENTAL HEALTH STIGMA AT WORK

The good news is that things are changing. Businesses are increasingly recognising that, and several high-profile global companies have stepped up their offering of emotional support for employees during the pandemic, including Microsoft, Deloitte and P&G, which have set up mental health helplines for employees and their families.

But although some level of stress can be useful in business, everyone’s experience of mental health issues is different. The first step is being open and honest.

Fortunately, family views are changing, too. According to results from Bupa Global’s Index, 47% of high net worth individuals now take mental health more seriously than they did five years ago, and 29% say they will be open and approachable about mental health issues with their children or those they hope to have in the future.

BUPA GLOBAL’S APPROACH TO MENTAL HEALTH SUPPORT

At Bupa Global, our purpose is helping people live longer, healthier, happier lives. We recognise that mental health is just as important as physical health and believe in helping people to feel their best and stay that way too. To support this, we have removed both annual and monetary limits across plans for in-patient and day-patient mental health treatment (up to the annual maximum limit of your chosen plan).

Bupa Global helps give you peace of mind, both at home and wherever in the world you choose to be treated, within your area of cover.

For more information about Bupa Global premium health plans visit bupaglobal.com/withyou or talk to our Private Client team today on 0371 346 0407.

Calls may be recorded. Bupa Global is a trading name of Bupa Insurance Limited and Bupa Insurance Services Limited. Bupa Insurance Limited is authorised by the Prudential Regulation Authority and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority and the Prudential Regulation Authority. Bupa Insurance Services Limited is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority.

[i] https://www.england.nhs.uk/mental-health/

[ii] Bupa Global’s Executive Wellbeing Index, Sept 2020: https://www.bupaglobal.com/en/your-wellbeing/inside-bupa/wellbeing-index

[iii] https://emergingminds.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2020/06/CoSPACE-Report-4-June-2020.pdf

Please read the full article on Bupa Global.