Despite huge advances in healthcare and medicine, mental health is an area that still lags behind. Effective management and prevention of mental illness, particularly in young people, is still lacking.
A major study published in April 2015 by the Office of National Statistics (latest release April 2017) ‘Measuring National Well-being: Insights into children’s mental health and well-being’ showed that 1 in 10 children 5-16 years, or 3 in every classroom, have a diagnosable mental health problem, including stress, anxiety and depression. This figure has doubled between the 1980s and mid-2000s. Almost 1 in 4 children showed some evidence of mental ill health (including anxiety and depression). Shockingly, 1 in 12 young people self-harm.
These figures are likely to increase as, due to the fear, uncertainty and grief created by the recent pandemic, an increasing number of people have become vulnerable to mental illness. Only a minority of people suffering from mental health problems seek help. They either don’t know where to turn, or fear they won’t be taken seriously, or don’t take their own feelings seriously.
Up to now conventional treatments for mental illness have focused largely on alleviating certain symptoms, or changing behaviour. While these practices are useful, they usually have a limited, short-term action, and may not be easily accessible or effective for everyone.
A new integrative approach for assessing and treating mental illness is emerging – shaped by advances in neuroscience, and the scientific validation of complementary therapies – which recognises the complex multifactorial causes of mental illness, and takes account of the whole person (body, mind, and spirit), including social and environmental influences.
“Meet Yourself Therapy” provides a unique holistic approach to understanding, assessing and managing mental health – one that empowers the individual to monitor and manage their own wellbeing. One that develops feelings of self-worth and emotional resilience – the ability to respond to, and rebound from, stressful and challenging situations. Meet Yourself Therapy (and Meet Yourself Meditation) are approved worldwide by IICT (International Institute of Complementary Therapists).
