Making Mental Health and Wellbeing a Rotary Priority
RI President Gordon McInally has proposed that Rotary makes mental health a priority, He argues that Rotarians and clubs are ideally placed to erase the stigma around caring about emotional wellbeing; raising awareness of mental health needs and working to improve access to mental health services.
But Rotary has many priorities, not least .in our case, the significantly aging membership in our District. So why should we pay attention to mental health and wellbeing? MIND says that 1:4 people will have a mental health problem of some kind in any year and 1:6 people will experience a common mental health problem like anxiety or depression in any week. Worrying figures made more worrisome by the World Health Organisation (WHO) research which shows that people with mental health conditions can predispose them to other health issues like diabetes and heart attacks. Alternatively having a significant health challenge can put someone at higher risk of developing depression. Surely then emotional wellbeing is a priority for a membership predominantly over 70.
Who should respond to the mental health and wellbeing priority?
“ Everyone in Rotary has a role in this effort. We don’t need to be mental health professionals to make a positive difference. We can treat others with care, respect, and dignity. We can ensure that people feel valued through a smile, a phone call, a visit, or another caring gesture. We can talk openly about mental health, let people know they’re not alone, and encourage them to get treatment if necessary. By putting a greater focus on emotional well-being throughout the Rotary world, we can make an incredible impact.” Gordon McInally.
Presidential address
presidential-initiative-mental-health-and-well-being-brochure-en_562933467.pdf
Video
2023_July 1_McInally_MentalHealth_volume.mp4 - Google Drive
Rotary Action Group -Mental Health http://ragonmentalhealth.org/
{Photo Rotary]
Tips to support Mental Health and Well-Being
Tips to Support Mental Health and Wellbeing.docx
Additional Sources of Support
Rotarians4MentalHealth https://rotary-site.org/rotarians4mentalhealth
NHS phone App > Find NHS services near you > Mental Health Services