Are we coping? What the latest BACP survey says about Mental Health in the UK

Every year, the BACP releases its Public Perceptions Survey. This research gives us all an insight into what people are thinking. What we think about therapy, what brings us to therapy, and what's going on with our mental health more broadly. You can read the full report here on the BACP website. Or if you'd like to listen to me chatting about the topic, click here to listen to my recent interview on BBC Radio Derby about the survey results.

So what does this survey tell us? Are we coping?

What's encouraging to see, is that we are all becoming more and more aware of the importance of mental health support. And we are seeing signs of the destigmatisation of therapy. In a world that can often feel stressful or isolating, this can only be a good feeling.

The World Health Organisation has declared loneliness to be a global concern, and the figures from this survey show us loud and clear that they are absolutely right to put these concerns at centre stage. It's clear how isolation contributes to stress, anxiety, and depression. Over half of the respondents indicated that loneliness impacts on their mental health, and this figure was even higher for those aged 16 to 25. I believe that loneliness can be a cause, and also a symptom, of emotional distress. When we feel lonely, our other fears and worries can become more overwhelming and less manageable. And when life becomes challenging, we might isolate ourselves from others, making ourselves even lonelier. Whether we recognise it or not, we all crave a sense of connection and belonging. That's where I believe that counselling can be so very powerful. It's where we build a real sense of connection, where you can truly open up about what's on your mind, without being worried about being judged or criticised or ignored.

The survey also flags up something that I often talk about. That many people are unaware that the term 'therapist' - and the terms 'counsellor' and 'psychotherapist' are not protected titles in the UK. We are not regulated as a profession. Which I find quite frightening, as it means that anyone can call themselves a therapist, without needing to evidence their training. Don't worry, there is good news. Membership bodies, like the BACP, provide us with that safety net. I'm a Registered Member of the BACP, and that means that I have had to provide evidence of my core training (four years of training, with more since then). I am also required to attend a minimum amount of CPD and regular supervision. I abide by the BACP's Ethical Framework, to ensure that I am working safely and in the best interests of my clients. If you want to learn more about this, I also mention it here in my 'How to Find a Therapist' post.

Want to think more about how you are coping? Click here to contact me, or click here to book a 30-minute introductory call.