The Impact of Mental Health Conditions
Mental health conditions affect millions of individuals worldwide, impacting their daily lives and overall well-being. From anxiety and depression to post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD), these conditions can significantly impact quality of life and can be challenging to manage. For some, relief comes from medicine, for others therapy, and for many – both work in tandem to help them come to overcome or cope with their symptoms.
Promoting Mental Health Awareness through Education
We are committed to promoting mental health awareness and providing education about the potential ways of managing mental health conditions. By sharing information, resources, and personal stories, we aim to reduce stigma and empower individuals to explore treatment options that may improve their mental well-being.
Raising awareness about mental health is crucial for fostering understanding, empathy, and support within communities. By increasing awareness, individuals can recognise the signs and symptoms of mental health conditions in themselves and others, leading to early intervention and treatment.
We believe that destigmatising mental illness through education helps create an environment where individuals feel comfortable seeking help without fear of judgment or discrimination. We want to encourage people to have open conversations about mental health, help reduce feelings of isolation and foster a sense of belonging for those who may be struggling with their mental health.
Shining a spotlight on mental health issues means we can work together towards creating a more compassionate and inclusive society where everyone has access to the support, resources and treatment they need to thrive.
Seeking Support for Mental Health
If you’re suffering with mental health issues, there are so many avenues you can take for seeking support and assistance. Your mental health is important and you should take care of it. No matter which support route you take, seeking help is a crucial step towards healing and your well-being. Here are some of our recommendations of what you can do for support:
Reach out to a licensed mental health professional such as a therapist, psychologist or psychiatrist so they can help provide personalised treatment and therapy.
Support groups can be a great place for you to connect with others facing similar challenges, providing a sense of understanding and solidarity.
Helplines are a great choice for immediate support during moments of distress or crisis.
Utilise the internet in an effective way – online resources such as reputable websites and forums that are moderated by mental health professionals can offer information, guidance and virtual support networks.
Lean on trusted friends, family members or mentors who can offer empathy, encouragement and practical assistance.
Curaleaf and Mental Health
This Mental Health Awareness Week, it is crucial to recognise the importance of mental health, the struggles that many face, and the various ways in which individuals can seek support and treatment.
At Curaleaf Clinic we provide care for thousands of patients who are affected by mental health conditions which have failed to respond to medications prescribed by either a GP or psychiatrist. We therefore understand the impact mental health conditions can have on an individual and believe in promoting awareness and understanding of these.
Our clinicians specialise in providing care with medical cannabis to eligible patients, but we understand the need to do more.
We are leading research into medical cannabis and mental health in the UK, publishing research on anxiety, depression, PTSD, attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and autism spectrum disorder.
We have also worked with journalists to help raise awareness of the current role of medical cannabis in addressing mental health conditions, such as a recent article in the BBC.
Finally, we understand the important of talking therapies in helping people with specific mental health conditions and the challenges that may exist in accessing this locally. Therefore, we have partnered with BetterHelp to provide access to therapy at a reduced cost for our patients.
If you are one of the people who have previously tried two or more medications and want to explore whether medical cannabis is right for you, you can self-refer to Curaleaf Clinic by completing our online eligibility checker.
Understanding the Role of Medical Cannabis and Mental Health
Research into the effect of medicinal cannabis on mental health is limited. However, following the legalisation of cannabis for medical purposes in 2018, there has been a rise in people looking towards medical cannabis as a treatment option. When first-line therapies have not proved effective at reducing symptoms, medical cannabis may be considered an option for helping with mental health issues whether this is depression, anxiety, PTSD or OCD.
According to the UK Medical Cannabis Registry, mental health conditions are one of the most common categories of conditions for which medical cannabis is prescribed in the UK. Unfortunately, despite this, there are a limited number of randomised controlled trials to enable more widespread prescribing on the NHS. Consequently, most individuals can only be prescribed unlicensed medical cannabis products through specialist clinics, such as Curaleaf.
Reaching Out
Mental Health Awareness Week serves as a reminder of the importance of prioritising mental health and seeking support when needed. For those considering seeking help, it is essential to consult with a healthcare professional with the relevant expertise to determine the most appropriate approach for individual needs.
Together, we can continue to advocate for mental health awareness and promote access to holistic treatments like medical cannabis that have the potential to positively impact countless lives.
If you are struggling with mental health and wish to speak to someone, the Samaritans are always available at 116 123, or text “SHOUT” to 85258 to contact the Shout Crisis Text Line, or text “YM” if you’re under 19.
Mental health should always be taken seriously, please do not hesitate to seek help if you are struggling.
If you are at risk of harming yourself we would recommend seeking urgent help by calling 999 or attending A&E
How you can get Involved
If you would like to join the cause and support mental health awareness week, consider:
1. Educating yourself and others about the range of conditions under the umbrella of mental health.
2. Discussing mental health openly and honestly with friends and family. It may not always be obvious who is affected by mental health conditions.
3. Participating in local awareness events or fundraisers.
4. Donating to organisations dedicated to mental health and support, such as Mind.
