Article 24 (health and health services)
Every child has the right to the best possible health. Governments must provide good quality health care, clean water, nutritious food, and a clean environment and education on health and well-being so that children can stay healthy. Richer countries must help poorer countries achieve this.
Every child has the right to the best possible health and this includes mental health. Mental Health Awareness Week 2019 is taking place this week and the theme for 2019 is Body Image – how we think and feel about our bodies.
Body image issues can affect all of us at any age. With the increase in use of social media like Facebook and Instagram there is now research into the effects this can have on mental health and body image issues and it seems there is some correlation. It is estimated that 1 in 6 people in the past week have experienced a common mental health problem so if you are feeling like this might be you then you are not alone.
For more information and guidance about your mental health, or if you have concerns about someone, then the links below may help.
Mental Health Awareness website https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/your-mental-health
NHS https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/stress-anxiety-depression/mental-health-helplines/
Young Minds https://youngminds.org.uk/
Action for Children https://www.actionforchildren.org.uk/support-for-parents/children-s-mental-health/
NHS information about Child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS) https://www.nhs.uk/using-the-nhs/nhs-services/mental-health-services/camhs-information-for-children-and-young-people/
Rethink Mental Illness https://www.rethink.org/carers-family-friends/what-you-need-to-know/getting-help-in-a-crisis
BBC article ‘How Social Media Affects Body Image’ http://www.bbc.com/future/story/20190311-how-social-media-affects-body-image
Moodjuice https://www.moodjuice.scot.nhs.uk/
#BeBodyKind
