We need to stop just pulling people out of the river – we need to go upstream and find out why they’re falling in
– Desmond Tutu
We were deeply saddened at the passing of Archbishop Mpilo Desmond Tutu OMSG CH GCStJ, on 26th December 2021.
Human rights activist Desmond Tutu was awarded the 1984 Nobel Peace Prize for his "role as a unifying leader figure in the campaign to resolve the problem of apartheid in South Africa". In 1992, he was awarded the Bishop John T. Walker Distinguished Humanitarian Service Award. He was also awarded the U.S. Presidential Medal of Freedom (2009), an award from the Mo Ibrahim Foundation that recognized his lifelong commitment to “speaking truth to power” (2012) and the Templeton Prize in 2013.
After his death we were reading about his many achievements and the common goals that he shared with so many humanitarian leaders. He strove to speak the messages of peace and unity and to affect a lessening of suffering in the world. He certainly was heard by many, and he did so much good.
During our reading, we were struck by the above quote. It speaks volumes. It suggests that as a society we already know that we have a responsibility towards ourselves and each other.
It is not enough just to rescue people.
We have to find ways to lessen the need for rescue.
There is no doubt that we are in the river. Mental health is an increasing global problem. Even before the pandemic mental health was becoming a much-discussed topic in the media. Well known celebrities have shared their own experiences in an effort to break the stigma and encourage others to talk.
The most recent statistics published by the registered charity Mental Health Foundation are as follows:
Mental health problems are one of the main causes of the overall disease burden worldwide
Mental health and behavioural problems (e.g. depression, anxiety and drug use) are reported to be the primary drivers of disability worldwide, causing over 40 million years of disability in 20 to 29-year-olds.
Major depression is thought to be the second leading cause of disability worldwide and a major contributor to the burden of suicide and ischemic heart disease.
It is estimated that 1 in 6 people in the past week experienced a common mental health problem
In October 2019 ITV launched a campaign to ‘Get Britain Talking’ which, this year, published an impressive, star-studded Christmas ad aiming to reinforce their original message.
The fact that we are being encouraged to talk about mental health is fantastic. It will reduce the stigma and explode common myths around mental wellbeing. It will ensure that we are more comfortable to speak out and speak up. It is Ok not to be Ok.
We would like to make it our mission to take that premise further.
During the last twenty-four months we have worked with many organisations including Health Education England, Royal College of General Practitioners, NHS Practitioner Health, Neurology Academy, Pulse Live, PhysioMatters, You are Not a Frog Podcast and various independent charitable organisations to provide practical Resilience Training designed to teach people to maintain their own positive mental state.
The most important aspect of our work is our message!
EVERYONE CAN TAKE RESPONSIBILITY FOR THEIR OWN WELLBEING!
In fact, it is the most powerful thing that you can do for yourself.
As a society we can all help each other to take over the reins of our own lives and address any obstacle that holds us back. We are in this together – but as individuals. We can encourage in each other the resilience to stand alone and apart if we need to. We can empower each other to take control.
Our resilience courses offer a wide range of evidence-based practical and accessible tools for improving mental wellbeing that really work.
We intend to expand our training to make it accessible to all via live virtual and face-to-face workshops, virtual modules and social media support groups.
However it is best digested, we will seek to develop it.
Please look at our current list of available courses below and, of course our book:
Tell us how you manage your wellbeing – all ideas and comments are welcome. Join our community and you can comment and share your top tips.
Watch out for new developments here and do not hesitate to get in touch if you are interested in any way and would like to discuss this with us further.