speech on mental health and wellbeing

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6 Speech Examples about Mental Health

Mental health is a topic that touches everyone’s lives in one way or another.

Whether you or someone you know has struggled with mental health challenges, it’s important to have open and honest conversations about this critical aspect of our overall well-being.

Speech Examples about Mental Health

As a society, we’ve come a long way in destigmatizing mental health, but there’s still much work to be done.

That’s where powerful speeches about mental health can make a real difference, helping to raise awareness, foster understanding, and inspire positive change.

In this article, we’ll explore six impactful speech examples that tackle the subject of mental health head-on, offering insights, inspiration, and hope for a brighter future.

Short Speech on Mental Health Awareness

Good morning, everyone. Today, I want to talk about a topic that’s close to my heart: mental health. For too long, mental health has been a taboo subject, something we’re afraid to discuss openly. But the truth is, mental health challenges can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background.

That’s why it’s so important to raise awareness about mental health and to create a supportive environment where people feel comfortable seeking help. By educating ourselves and others, we can break down the stigma surrounding mental illness and encourage those who are struggling to reach out for support.

Remember, taking care of your mental health is just as important as taking care of your physical health. So let’s start the conversation today and work together to create a society where mental health is prioritized and everyone feels valued and supported. Thank you.

— END OF SPEECH —

Commentary: This short speech is perfect for kicking off a mental health awareness event or campaign. It emphasizes the importance of open dialogue and education in breaking down the stigma surrounding mental illness, encouraging listeners to prioritize their mental well-being and support others in doing the same.

Medium-Length Speech on Coping with Anxiety

Good afternoon, everyone. Today, I’d like to talk about a mental health challenge that many of us face: anxiety. Anxiety can manifest in different ways for different people, from constant worry and fear to physical symptoms like a racing heart or sweaty palms.

If you’re struggling with anxiety, I want you to know that you’re not alone. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness in the United States, affecting millions of people every year. But the good news is, there are strategies and resources available to help you cope.

One of the most effective ways to manage anxiety is through self-care. This can include activities like exercise, meditation, deep breathing, and spending time in nature. It’s also important to prioritize sleep, eat a healthy diet, and limit caffeine and alcohol intake.

Another key strategy is to challenge negative thoughts and beliefs. Anxiety often stems from irrational fears or worst-case scenario thinking. By questioning these thoughts and reframing them in a more realistic light, you can reduce their power over you.

Finally, don’t be afraid to seek professional help if your anxiety is impacting your daily life. A therapist can work with you to develop coping strategies and provide support and guidance along the way.

Remember, managing anxiety is a journey, not a destination. Be kind to yourself, celebrate your progress, and know that you have the strength and resilience to overcome this challenge. Thank you.

Commentary: This medium-length speech provides a comprehensive overview of anxiety, offering practical tips and strategies for managing symptoms and seeking support. It’s an ideal length for a mental health workshop or seminar, striking a balance between informative and motivational content.

Long Speech on the Importance of Mental Health in the Workplace

Good morning, everyone. Today, I want to talk about a topic that’s critical to our success and well-being, both as individuals and as a company: mental health in the workplace.

We all know that work can be stressful at times. Deadlines, challenging projects, and interpersonal conflicts can take a toll on our mental well-being. But when that stress becomes chronic or overwhelming, it can lead to more serious mental health challenges like depression, anxiety, and burnout.

The impact of poor mental health in the workplace is significant. Not only does it affect individual employees’ quality of life and job satisfaction, but it also has ripple effects throughout the organization. Poor mental health can lead to increased absenteeism, reduced productivity, and higher healthcare costs.

So what can we do to promote mental health in the workplace? The first step is to create a culture of openness and support. This means encouraging employees to speak up when they’re struggling, without fear of judgment or retribution. It also means providing resources and support services, such as employee assistance programs or mental health days.

Managers and leaders play a critical role in this process. By modeling healthy behaviors and prioritizing self-care, they can set the tone for the entire organization. They should also be trained to recognize signs of mental health challenges in their team members and know how to respond appropriately.

Another key strategy is to promote work-life balance. This means setting reasonable expectations around workload and hours, and encouraging employees to take breaks and disconnect from work when needed. It also means recognizing that everyone has a life outside of work, and being flexible and understanding when personal challenges arise.

Finally, we need to prioritize mental health education and awareness. This can include training sessions on topics like stress management, resilience, and emotional intelligence. It can also involve bringing in outside speakers or experts to share their insights and experiences.

By taking these steps, we can create a workplace culture that values and supports mental health. And when our employees are thriving mentally and emotionally, our entire organization benefits. We see increased engagement, creativity, and collaboration, and we build a stronger, more resilient team.

So let’s make mental health a priority, not just for one day or one month, but every day. Let’s create a workplace where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to bring their best selves to work. Because when we invest in our employees’ mental health, we invest in our company’s success. Thank you.

Commentary: This longer speech dives deep into the topic of mental health in the workplace, exploring the impact of poor mental health on both individuals and organizations. It offers practical strategies for creating a supportive work environment, from encouraging open communication to promoting work-life balance and providing mental health education. This speech is well-suited for a corporate event or training session, providing a comprehensive and actionable roadmap for prioritizing mental health in the workplace.

Lengthy Speech on Mental Health and the Importance of Self-Care

Good evening, everyone. Tonight, I want to talk about a topic that’s close to my heart, and one that I believe is essential for our overall well-being: mental health and the importance of self-care.

We live in a fast-paced, high-stress world, where we’re constantly bombarded with demands on our time and energy. From work and family obligations to the pressure to succeed and keep up with our peers, it’s easy to feel overwhelmed and stretched thin.

But amidst all of these external pressures, it’s crucial that we don’t neglect our own needs and well-being. Self-care isn’t a luxury or an indulgence; it’s a necessity for maintaining our mental health and preventing burnout.

So what exactly is self-care? At its core, self-care is about taking intentional steps to nurture our physical, emotional, and mental well-being. It’s about carving out time and space for activities that bring us joy, relaxation, and fulfillment.

Self-care can take many forms, and what works for one person may not work for another. For some, it might mean engaging in regular exercise or spending time in nature. For others, it might involve creative pursuits like writing, painting, or playing music. And for many, self-care includes practices like meditation, journaling, or talking with a trusted friend or therapist.

The key is to find what works for you and to make self-care a regular part of your routine. This can be challenging, especially when we’re used to putting others’ needs before our own. But the truth is, we can’t pour from an empty cup. When we neglect our own well-being, we’re less able to show up fully for the people and responsibilities in our lives.

Of course, practicing self-care doesn’t mean that we’ll never experience stress, anxiety, or other mental health challenges. These are a natural part of the human experience, and it’s important to have tools and support systems in place for when they arise.

One of the most powerful tools we have is the power of connection. When we’re struggling, it’s easy to feel isolated and alone. But the reality is, mental health challenges are incredibly common, and there are people and resources available to help.

This might mean reaching out to a trusted friend or family member, joining a support group, or seeking professional help from a therapist or counselor. It might also mean learning more about mental health and educating ourselves and others about the signs and symptoms of common challenges like depression and anxiety.

By breaking down the stigma around mental health and creating a culture of openness and support, we can make it easier for people to seek help when they need it. We can also work to create environments – in our homes, workplaces, and communities – that prioritize mental well-being and support self-care practices.

Ultimately, taking care of our mental health is a lifelong journey. It requires ongoing effort, self-reflection, and a willingness to prioritize our own needs and boundaries. But when we do this, we create a foundation of resilience and well-being that allows us to show up more fully in all areas of our lives.

So I encourage you to take a moment and reflect on your own self-care practices. What brings you joy and relaxation? What helps you feel grounded and centered? And how can you integrate more of these activities into your daily life?

Remember, self-care isn’t selfish. It’s a vital investment in your own well-being and in your ability to be there for the people and causes you care about. So let’s make a commitment to prioritizing our mental health, one day and one small action at a time.

Together, we can create a world where everyone feels valued, supported, and empowered to take care of themselves and each other. A world where mental health is seen not as a weakness, but as a fundamental part of what makes us human.

Thank you for being here tonight, and for being part of this important conversation. Let’s continue to champion mental health and self-care, and to create a brighter, more compassionate future for all. Thank you.

Commentary: This lengthy speech provides a comprehensive exploration of mental health and the importance of self-care. It acknowledges the challenges and pressures of modern life, while emphasizing the necessity of prioritizing our own well-being. The speech offers practical tips and strategies for integrating self-care into daily life, as well as resources and support systems for those struggling with mental health challenges. With its blend of personal anecdotes, research-backed insights, and calls to action, this speech is ideal for a keynote address or featured session at a mental health conference or event. It has the power to inspire and empower listeners to take charge of their mental well-being and create positive change in their lives and communities.

Short Speech on Mental Health and Creativity

Good afternoon, everyone. Today, I want to talk about the intersection of two seemingly disparate topics: mental health and creativity.

As artists, writers, musicians, and creators of all kinds, we often draw on our emotions and experiences to fuel our work. But what happens when those emotions and experiences are painful, challenging, or overwhelming?

The truth is, many of history’s most celebrated creative minds have struggled with mental health challenges. From Vincent Van Gogh to Virginia Woolf to Kurt Cobain, the list of artists who have grappled with depression, anxiety, addiction, and other mental health issues is long and distinguished.

But while these challenges can certainly influence and inform our creative work, it’s important to remember that they don’t define us. Our mental health struggles are not the price we have to pay for our creativity.

In fact, prioritizing our mental well-being can actually enhance our creative output. When we take steps to manage stress, process difficult emotions, and care for ourselves, we create space for inspiration and innovation to flourish.

So if you’re a creative person struggling with your mental health, know that you’re not alone. Seek support, practice self-care, and remember that your worth and value extend far beyond your creative achievements.

And let’s work together to create a world where creativity and mental health are seen not as mutually exclusive, but as deeply interconnected and equally worthy of our attention and support. Thank you.

Commentary: This short speech sheds light on the complex relationship between mental health and creativity. It acknowledges the prevalence of mental health challenges among artists and creators, while emphasizing the importance of prioritizing well-being alongside creative pursuits. The speech offers a message of hope and support for those struggling to balance their mental health and creative ambitions, making it an ideal choice for an arts-focused mental health event or gathering.

Medium-Length Speech on Mental Health and Social Media

Good morning, everyone. Today, I want to talk about a topic that’s increasingly relevant to our mental health and well-being: social media.

There’s no denying that social media has transformed the way we connect, communicate, and consume information. With just a few taps on our phones, we can access a wealth of news, entertainment, and social interaction.

But while social media certainly has its benefits, it’s important to recognize its potential impact on our mental health. Studies have shown that excessive social media use can contribute to feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness.

Part of the problem is that social media often presents a curated, idealized version of reality. We see our friends and acquaintances posting highlight reels of their lives – their best selfies, their most exciting adventures, their happiest moments. And it’s easy to compare ourselves to these polished images and feel like we’re falling short.

But the truth is, nobody’s life is perfect, no matter how it may appear on social media. We all have struggles, challenges, and less-than-Instagram-worthy moments. And that’s okay.

So how can we use social media in a way that supports, rather than undermines, our mental health? Here are a few tips:

• Be mindful of your time. Set limits on how much time you spend scrolling through social media each day, and be intentional about how you use that time.
• Curate your feed. Unfollow accounts that make you feel bad about yourself, and seek out content that inspires, uplifts, and educates you.
• Engage meaningfully. Instead of passively consuming content, use social media as a tool for genuine connection and conversation. Comment on posts, send messages to friends, and participate in online communities that align with your values and interests.
• Take breaks. If you find yourself feeling overwhelmed or anxious after spending time on social media, don’t be afraid to step away for a while. Disconnect, recharge, and focus on other activities that bring you joy and fulfillment.

Remember, social media is just one aspect of our lives – it doesn’t define us or determine our worth. By using it mindfully and in moderation, we can harness its power to connect and inspire, while still prioritizing our mental health and well-being.

So let’s continue to have open and honest conversations about the impact of social media on our mental health. Let’s support each other in using these platforms in a way that uplifts and empowers us, rather than tears us down.

And most importantly, let’s remember that our value and worth extend far beyond our online presence. We are so much more than our follower counts or likes or shares. We are complex, multi-faceted human beings with inherent dignity and worth.

Thank you for being here today, and for being part of this important conversation. Together, we can create a healthier, more authentic relationship with social media – one that supports our mental well-being and allows us to connect with each other in meaningful ways.

Commentary: This medium-length speech tackles the timely topic of social media and its impact on mental health. It acknowledges both the benefits and challenges of these platforms, offering practical tips for using social media in a way that supports well-being. The speech also touches on deeper themes of authenticity, self-worth, and genuine connection, making it a thought-provoking choice for a mental health event or workshop focused on navigating the digital age.

Mental health is a vital aspect of our overall well-being, and one that deserves our attention, compassion, and support.

By starting conversations, sharing our stories, and offering guidance and resources, we can break down the stigma surrounding mental health challenges and create a world where everyone feels empowered to prioritize their mental well-being.

These six speech examples offer a range of perspectives and approaches to talking about mental health, from personal anecdotes to research-backed insights to calls to action.

Whether you’re looking to raise awareness, inspire change, or offer support and encouragement, there’s a speech here that can help you connect with your audience and make a meaningful impact.

So let’s keep the conversation going.

Let’s continue to champion mental health in our homes, workplaces, and communities.

And let’s work together to build a brighter, more compassionate future for all.

• 21 English Speech Ideas on Mental Health Awareness

In today’s world, we face numerous challenges and societal pressures. As a result, the need for Mental Health Awareness has become more important than ever. It is not just an individual’s responsibility to address mental well-being but also a collective effort to foster a compassionate and understanding society.

Related: Easy English Speech Topics For Students

Here is a list of ideas you can choose from,

• Breaking the Stigma: Understanding Mental Health Discuss the pervasive stigma surrounding mental health and the importance of breaking down misconceptions.
• The Impact of Social Media on Mental Health Explore the connection between excessive social media use and its impact on mental well-being.
• Mental Health in the Workplace Address the significance of promoting mental health awareness in professional settings and ways to create a supportive work environment.
• You Are Not Alone: Building a Supportive Community Emphasize the power of community and how it can play a crucial role in supporting individuals facing mental health challenges.
• The Role of Exercise in Mental Health Discuss the positive impact of physical activity on mental well-being and strategies to incorporate exercise into daily routines.
• Mindfulness and Meditation for Mental Wellness Introduce the concepts of mindfulness and meditation as tools for managing stress and improving mental health.
• The Importance of Self-Care in Mental Health Explore the significance of self-care practices and their role in maintaining good mental health.
• Coping Strategies for Stress and Anxiety Provide practical tips and strategies for coping with stress and anxiety in daily life.
• Teen Mental Health: Navigating Challenges Address the unique challenges faced by teenagers in today’s society and discuss ways to support their mental health.
• Art and Music Therapy: Expressing Emotions Explore the therapeutic benefits of art and music in expressing and managing emotions.
• Mental Health and Nutrition: The Gut-Brain Connection Examine the link between diet and mental health and discuss the role of nutrition in maintaining a healthy mind.
• The Impact of Sleep on Mental Well-being Highlight the importance of adequate sleep in promoting mental wellness and strategies for improving sleep hygiene.
• Overcoming Depression: A Personal Journey Share personal stories or case studies of individuals who have overcome depression to inspire hope and resilience.
• Supporting Loved Ones with Mental Health Challenges Offer guidance on how friends and family can provide meaningful support to individuals facing mental health issues.
• Crisis Intervention: Recognizing Warning Signs Educate the audience on recognizing signs of a mental health crisis and how to intervene or seek help.
• Technology and Mental Health: Finding a Balance Discuss the impact of technology on mental health and explore ways to maintain a healthy balance in the digital age.
• The Link Between Trauma and Mental Health Explore the connection between traumatic experiences and mental health challenges, emphasizing the importance of trauma-informed care.
• Cultural Perspectives on Mental Health Examine how different cultures perceive and address mental health, promoting cultural sensitivity and understanding.
• The Power of Laughter: Comedy and Mental Health Explore the therapeutic benefits of laughter and humor in coping with life’s challenges.
• Breaking Mental Health Barriers in Education Discuss the need for mental health education in schools and strategies to break down barriers to seeking help.
• Legislation and Mental Health: Advocacy for Change Address the importance of advocating for mental health policies and legislation to improve access to mental health services and support.

As we explore the complexities of the human mind, prioritizing Mental Health Awareness becomes a fundamental building block for creating a robust and empathetic community that values mental well-being as an essential component of overall health. By eliminating the stigma around mental health problems and encouraging honest conversations, we lay the groundwork for a more caring and supportive future.

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English Speech Ideas

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• Personal Development
• Equality and Social Justice
• Social Media
• Mental Health Awareness
• Global Health

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The Importance of Mental Health

It's not just a buzzword

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Risk Factors for Poor Mental Health

Signs of mental health problems, benefits of good mental health, how to maintain mental health and well-being.

Your mental health is an important part of your well-being. This aspect of your welfare determines how you’re able to operate psychologically, emotionally, and socially among others.

Considering how much of a role your mental health plays in each aspect of your life, it's important to guard and improve psychological wellness using appropriate measures.

Because different circumstances can affect your mental health, we’ll be highlighting risk factors and signs that may indicate mental distress. But most importantly, we’ll dive into why mental health is so important.

Mental health is described as a state of well-being where a person is able to cope with the normal stresses of life. This state permits productive work output and allows for meaningful contributions to society.

However, different circumstances exist that may affect the ability to handle life’s curveballs. These factors may also disrupt daily activities, and the capacity to manage these changes. That's only one reason why mental health is so important.

The following factors, listed below, may affect mental well-being and could increase the risk of developing psychological disorders .

Childhood Abuse

Childhood physical assault, sexual violence, emotional abuse, or neglect can lead to severe mental and emotional distress. Abuse increases the risk of developing mental disorders like depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder, or personality disorders.

Children who have been abused may eventually deal with alcohol and substance use issues. But beyond mental health challenges, child abuse may also lead to medical complications such as diabetes, stroke, and other forms of heart disease.

The Environment

A strong contributor to mental well-being is the state of a person’s usual environment . Adverse environmental circumstances can cause negative effects on psychological wellness.

For instance, weather conditions may influence an increase in suicide cases. Likewise, experiencing natural disasters firsthand can increase the chances of developing PTSD. In certain cases, air pollution may produce negative effects on depression symptoms.  

In contrast, living in a positive social environment can provide protection against mental challenges.

Your biological makeup could determine the state of your well-being. A number of mental health disorders have been found to run in families and may be passed down to members.

These include conditions such as autism , attention deficit hyperactivity disorder , bipolar disorder , depression , and schizophrenia .

Your lifestyle can also impact your mental health. Smoking, a poor diet , alcohol consumption , substance use , and risky sexual behavior may cause psychological harm. These behaviors have been linked to depression.

When mental health is compromised, it isn’t always apparent to the individual or those around them. However, there are certain warning signs to look out for, that may signify negative changes for the well-being. These include:

• A switch in eating habits, whether over or undereating
• A noticeable reduction in energy levels
• Being more reclusive and shying away from others
• Feeling persistent despair
• Indulging in alcohol, tobacco, or other substances more than usual
• Experiencing unexplained confusion, anger, guilt, or worry
• Severe mood swings
• Picking fights with family and friends
• Hearing voices with no identifiable source
• Thinking of self-harm or causing harm to others
• Being unable to perform daily tasks with ease

Whether young or old, the importance of mental health for total well-being cannot be overstated. When psychological wellness is affected, it can cause negative behaviors that may not only affect personal health but can also compromise relationships with others. 

Below are some of the benefits of good mental health.

A Stronger Ability to Cope With Life’s Stressors

When mental and emotional states are at peak levels, the challenges of life can be easier to overcome.

Where alcohol/drugs, isolation, tantrums, or fighting may have been adopted to manage relationship disputes, financial woes, work challenges, and other life issues—a stable mental state can encourage healthier coping mechanisms.

A Positive Self-Image

Mental health greatly correlates with personal feelings about oneself. Overall mental wellness plays a part in your self-esteem . Confidence can often be a good indicator of a healthy mental state.

A person whose mental health is flourishing is more likely to focus on the good in themselves. They will hone in on these qualities, and will generally have ambitions that strive for a healthy, happy life.

Healthier Relationships

If your mental health is in good standing, you might be more capable of providing your friends and family with quality time , affection , and support. When you're not in emotional distress, it can be easier to show up and support the people you care about.

Better Productivity

Dealing with depression or other mental health disorders can impact your productivity levels. If you feel mentally strong , it's more likely that you will be able to work more efficiently and provide higher quality work.

Higher Quality of Life

When mental well-being thrives, your quality of life may improve. This can give room for greater participation in community building. For example, you may begin volunteering in soup kitchens, at food drives, shelters, etc.

You might also pick up new hobbies , and make new acquaintances , and travel to new cities.

Because mental health is so important to general wellness, it’s important that you take care of your mental health.

To keep mental health in shape, a few introductions to and changes to lifestyle practices may be required. These include:

• Taking up regular exercise
• Prioritizing rest and sleep on a daily basis
• Trying meditation
• Learning coping skills for life challenges
• Keeping in touch with loved ones
• Maintaining a positive outlook on life

Another proven way to improve and maintain mental well-being is through the guidance of a professional. Talk therapy can teach you healthier ways to interact with others and coping mechanisms to try during difficult times.

Therapy can also help you address some of your own negative behaviors and provide you with the tools to make some changes in your own life.

The Bottom Line

So why is mental health so important? That's an easy answer: It profoundly affects every area of your life. If you're finding it difficult to address mental health concerns on your own, don't hesitate to seek help from a licensed therapist .

World Health Organization. Mental Health: Strengthening our Response .

Lippard ETC, Nemeroff CB. The Devastating Clinical Consequences of Child Abuse and Neglect: Increased Disease Vulnerability and Poor Treatment Response in Mood Disorders . Am J Psychiatry . 2020;177(1):20-36. doi:10.1176/appi.ajp.2019.19010020

 Helbich M. Mental Health and Environmental Exposures: An Editorial. Int J Environ Res Public Health . 2018;15(10):2207. Published 2018 Oct 10. doi:10.3390/ijerph15102207

Helbich M. Mental Health and Environmental Exposures: An Editorial. Int J Environ Res Public Health . 2018;15(10):2207. Published 2018 Oct 10. doi:10.3390/ijerph15102207

National Institutes of Health. Common Genetic Factors Found in 5 Mental Disorders .

Zaman R, Hankir A, Jemni M. Lifestyle Factors and Mental Health . Psychiatr Danub . 2019;31(Suppl 3):217-220.

Medline Plus. What Is mental health? .

National Alliance on Mental Health. Why Self-Esteem Is Important for Mental Health .

By Elizabeth Plumptre Elizabeth is a freelance health and wellness writer. She helps brands craft factual, yet relatable content that resonates with diverse audiences.

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Mental health: a decade of change in just 2 years

Health and Social Care Secretary Sajid Javid spoke at the Global Mental Health Summit 2021.

Hello and it’s a real pleasure to join you all today.

It’s fantastic that, 4 years after the UK hosted the inaugural summit in London, it’s still going strong, and I’d like to thank Minister Véran and his team for organising this year’s event.

This year’s summit comes at a critical moment. There’s never been a more important time to talk about mental health, after our shared experience of this pandemic. A pandemic which has brought so much heartache and devastation, and has led to millions of people mourning loved ones all across the world.

And we must also recognise that there’s been another – less visible – impact: the impact on people’s mental health.

Our fight against this invisible killer forced us to take steps that, in normal times, would have seemed unthinkable, as we had to place restrictions on the social contact and shared experiences that bring us so much good health and happiness.

And, although these sacrifices were vital to slow the spread of the virus, we cannot deny that they’ve placed a strain on our mental health.

Around 1 in 5 adults in Britain experienced some form of depression in the first 3 months of this year. That’s over double the figure before we started our fight against COVID-19.

And almost half of adults have reported that their wellbeing has been affected by this pandemic.

As a result, we’ve seen more people seeking help, both here and around the world, at a time when health systems were already under the greatest of strains. A survey by the World Health Organization ( WHO ) showed that the pandemic disrupted mental health services in 93% of countries worldwide.

But, although this was an arduous time for health systems everywhere, there’s a lot that we can learn from one another about how we handled this period of pressure and the new ways of working that we were forced to adopt.

In England, we set up 24/7 crisis hotlines that have received 3 million calls since the start of the pandemic, and we used mental health apps and virtual consultations to provide extra pathways for care.

We’ve seen a decade of change crammed into just 2 years. And today provides a perfect opportunity to share experiences from far and wide, and look at what changes we can take forward as we look to move out of this pandemic.

We’re at an important moment for mental health.

The strains of the pandemic have meant that the issue of mental health has been in the public consciousness like never before. And we should be encouraged that more people, from all walks of life, are now talking more openly about their mental health and wellbeing.

But we know that, for every person who comes forward, there are more who’re suffering in silence. So we must keep encouraging people to get help if they need it and keep working to eliminate the stigma that’s far too often attached to mental health so that people know it’s OK not to be OK.

Our mission must be for mental health to be treated with the same urgency as physical health. After all, its effects can be just as harmful.

Suicide accounts for one death around the world every 40 seconds and severe mental illness has been found to reduce life expectancy by 10 to 20 years.

The silent pandemic of poor mental health has taken too many people before their time, and now is the time to act with the same sense of urgency as we have done for other major killers.

It should also trouble us that disparities in mental health are often linked with other disparities. In the UK , children from the poorest 20% of households are 4 times as likely to have serious mental health difficulties by the age of 11 compared with those from the wealthiest 20% of households.

We have to put this right.

And, as we all look to rebuild after the pandemic, one of the best ways to forge a happier, a fairer and a more prosperous society is a relentless focus on mental health.

In England, we’ve committed an extra 2.3 billion pounds per year to transform mental health services by 2023, expanding them to reach families, communities, workplaces and schools.

We’ve also strengthened mental health support for colleagues on the frontline, and we’re reforming our Mental Health Act to make sure that everyone is treated with respect that they deserve.

And, at the same time, as we strive to improve mental health at home, we also want to play our part in a global effort.

In this increasingly interconnected world, we all have an interest in the mental health of people beyond our shores. We know that improving mental health would make a huge difference to pressing problems all across the world, and a recent study led by the WHO estimates that depression and anxiety costs the global economy $1 trillion each year in lost productivity.

So now we must summon the same spirit of global cooperation that we’ve seen throughout the pandemic. Because poor mental health is a common adversary, just like COVID-19, and we all have a duty to step up and play our part.

I was at the G20 Health Ministers’ Meeting recently in Rome, and it was brilliant to see that mental health was high up on the agenda and that everyone was united in recognising the need to improve access to mental health services.

And it’s only through working together, learning from one another, and sharing what’s worked and what hasn’t that we can improve mental healthcare all across the world.

We’ve already been partnering with other nations to share our experience, like the sessions we’ve held, for example, with Mexico to share ideas around strategies for mental health, and we’ll also be driving change through global institutions like the World Health Organization.

The Mental Health Coalition, which was recently formed by WHO Europe, is a fantastic step forward in reinforcing the importance of this mission and, rest assured, we will be playing an active part in its work.

This pandemic has seen so much shared solidarity on physical health, like the vaccine distribution that’s getting jabs in arms all across the world, and now we must do the same for mental health too.

So let’s all come together today, and tackle this growing and global challenge – and make sure mental health gets the recognition and the response that it deserves.

Thank you very much and I’d like to wish you every success for this vital summit.

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Speech on Mental Health for School Students

Table of Contents

Speech on Mental Health: Did you know that “10.7% of the world suffers from some form of mental illness”? Mental health is an essential part of our daily lives. Mental illness is not uncommon. Out of the worldwide population, hundreds of millions suffer from mental health conditions yearly. As per statistics, 1 in 3 women and 1 in 5 men will experience major depression in their lives. Mental health is a topic that is of utmost importance but often shrouded in silence. Maintaining mental health in check is crucial for overall well-being and quality of life. Mental health affects us all, directly or indirectly, and it’s time to shed light on this vital aspect of our well-being. In this blog, we will explore the topic of mental health through a series of speeches, emphasizing its significance, destigmatizing its challenges, and offering insights for a brighter tomorrow.

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World Mental Health Day is observed on October 10th every year. It’s a day marked globally to highlight the importance of mental health. On this day, various activities, discussions, and events take place to raise awareness, reduce stigma, and encourage support for mental health issues. It serves as a reminder that mental well-being is a crucial part of our overall health, emphasizing the need for understanding and compassion towards those dealing with mental health challenges.

Long and Short Speech on Mental Health

Whether you are looking for a short speech on mental health, a 1-minute speech on mental health, a speech on mental health awareness, or a speech on mental health issues, we have you covered. Here we have provided a few sample speeches on mental health that will highlight why protecting mental health is a must for every individual.

Sample Speech: Short Speech on Mental Health

Ladies and gentlemen,

Mental health is not a luxury; it’s a fundamental human right. It’s the cornerstone of our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. Just as we care for our physical health, we must prioritize our mental health.

The journey to understanding and addressing mental health begins with awareness. It’s essential to recognize that mental health issues affect millions of people globally, and there’s no shame in seeking help. Mental health struggles are not a sign of weakness but a testament to our resilience in the face of life’s trials.

To truly embrace mental health, we must break the stigma surrounding it. Let us create an environment where open conversations about mental health are encouraged, where individuals can seek support without fear of judgment, and where we extend empathy to those who need it most.

In conclusion, let us remember that mental health is a shared responsibility. It’s about fostering a world where everyone has the opportunity to thrive emotionally and psychologically. By addressing mental health with compassion and understanding, we pave the way for brighter, healthier futures.

Sample Speech: 1-Minute Speech on Mental Health

Dear friends,

Mental health is often likened to an invisible backpack that we all carry. Sometimes, that backpack feels light, and other times, it feels unbearably heavy. But we must remember that we are not alone in this journey. We are part of a larger community, and together, we can lighten the load.

One in four people will experience a mental health issue at some point in their lives. This statistic underscores the universality of mental health challenges. It could be your friend, your neighbor, or even you. The key is to recognize that seeking help is a sign of strength, not weakness.

Let us be allies in the fight for mental health. Let us lend a listening ear to those who need it, offer support without judgment, and break down the walls of isolation that mental health struggles can create. By showing compassion and empathy, we can help others on their path to healing.

In conclusion, mental health is a cause that transcends boundaries and unites us as human beings. Let us advocate for mental health, embrace it in our own lives, and create a world where everyone’s mental well-being is valued and protected.

Sample Speech: 2-Minute Speech on Mental Health

Esteemed guests,

Mental health is the cornerstone of our overall well-being, and its significance cannot be overstated. It affects how we think, feel, and interact with the world. Just as we take measures to stay physically healthy, we must proactively care for our mental health.

In today’s fast-paced world, stress, anxiety, and depression have become all too common. But the good news is that mental health is not a static state; it can be improved and nurtured. It’s about finding balance, setting boundaries, and seeking help when life’s challenges become overwhelming.

We must also acknowledge that mental health is a fundamental human right. Everyone deserves access to quality mental health care and support without discrimination. Let us advocate for mental health awareness, promote mental health education, and work towards a society that values and prioritizes mental well-being.

In conclusion, let us remember that mental health is not a destination but a continuous journey. By fostering a culture of empathy, support, and understanding, we can pave the way for a brighter and mentally healthier future for all.

Sample Speech: Speech on Mental Health Awareness

Today, I want to emphasize the importance of mental health awareness, a topic that often remains in the shadows but is crucial to our well-being.

Mental health affects every one of us, regardless of age, gender, or background. It’s not a sign of weakness; it’s an essential part of who we are. Just as we care for our physical health, we must prioritize our mental health.

Mental health awareness is about recognizing that it’s okay to seek help when needed. It’s about breaking the stigma surrounding mental health challenges and fostering a culture of empathy and support.

Let us educate ourselves and others about mental health, its challenges, and its solutions. Let us create safe spaces where people can talk openly about their feelings without fear of judgment.

By raising awareness and promoting understanding, we can contribute to a world where mental health is valued, supported, and celebrated. Together, we can ensure that no one suffers in silence, and everyone gets the help they deserve.

Let’s make mental health awareness a priority, not just for ourselves but for the well-being of our communities and society as a whole. Thank you.

Sample Speech: Speech on Mental Health Issues

Today, I want to address an issue that affects millions of people worldwide: mental health. It’s a topic that often goes unspoken, but its impact is profound. Mental health issues can affect anyone, regardless of age, race, or social status. They don’t discriminate. It could be a friend, a family member, a colleague, or even ourselves silently struggling.

The stigma surrounding mental health often prevents people from seeking help. But here’s the truth: mental health issues are as real as any physical ailment, and they deserve our attention and compassion.

We must break the silence, open up conversations, and offer support to those in need. Mental health issues are not a sign of weakness; they are a human experience. So, let us be empathetic, let us be understanding, and let us be part of the solution. By acknowledging mental health issues and advocating for better support and resources, we can make a difference in the lives of those who need it most.

Together, we can create a world where mental health is prioritized, where seeking help is encouraged, and where everyone has the opportunity to lead a healthier, happier life. Thank you.

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Speech on Mental Health FAQ’s

What is a short note on mental health.

Mental health refers to our emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It affects how we think, feel, and act, influencing how we handle stress, relate to others, and make choices in life.

Why is mental health so important?

Mental health matters in all parts of life—relationships, work, and even physical health. It helps us deal with stress, face problems, decide things, and live a good life.

What is mental health in 100 words?

mental health affects everything—how we feel, think, and act. It's key for our relationships, work, and even physical health. It's about emotions, thoughts, and how we handle stress. Taking care of it means a better life overall.

How do you write a mental health speech?

To write a mental health speech, start with an attention-grabbing introduction. Discuss the importance of mental health, share personal stories or statistics, highlight challenges people face, offer coping strategies or resources, and end with a call to action or encouragement for seeking help.

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“What mental health needs is more sunlight, more candor, and more unashamed conversation.” – Glenn Close.

13 Best Ted Talks About Mental Health

Home / 13 Best Ted Talks About Mental Health

TED Talks are great. They’re motivating, inspiring, and unforgettable. TED Talks are available on practically any topic, including mental health .

Hearing someone speak about their own mental health issues has a more significant impact than reading about them in a blog post. These speakers inspire their listeners to be more hopeful and driven than ever. 

What is a Ted Talk?

A TED Talk showcases speakers presenting great, well-formed ideas in under 18 minutes.

We have sourced the best ted talks about mental health for you.

Here are the 13 best Ted talks about mental health for you in no particular order-

1. guy winch: why we all need to practice emotional first aid.

Guy Winch states in this TED Talk that people go to the doctor when they are unwell, but they don’t seek help until they are in extreme emotional pain, such as shame, hurt, or loneliness.

He discusses the following topics in his talk:

• Why is it so common for people to deal with psychological problems independently ?
• The convincing case for practicing emotional hygiene is treating our emotions and thoughts with the same care we give our bodies.
• How loneliness can cause a psychological wound that is difficult to heal.
• The importance of understanding how our minds react to failure.

2. Faith Jegede: What I have learned from my autistic brothers

Faith Jegede discusses her tale of growing up with two autistic brothers who are exceptional in her TED Talk.

She discusses the following topics in her talk:

• Why everyone should strive to live an extraordinary life.
• Faith would not want normality to compromise her sense of self-identity, communication, or love.
• The importance of having our own unique talents and characteristics. Differentiation does not imply that one of us is wrong; it simply means that we have different kinds of rights.

3. Thomas Insel: Toward a new understanding of mental illness

In this TED Talk, Thomas Insel emphasizes the need for early identification and prevention in treating mental illness. 

• Mental disorders and illnesses of the mind.
• Depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder, post-traumatic stress disorder, and schizophrenia are examples of brain disorders.
• The last thing to change is behavior when it comes to brain problems. Why do we always overestimate when the change will happen and underestimate how much change will happen?

4. Russell Foster: Why do we sleep?

In this TED Talk, Russell Foster, a Circadian neuroscientist, analyses the brain’s sleep cycles and their importance in our lives. He discusses three prevalent views in his talk:

• We sleep for a reason.
• Myths regarding the amount of sleep we require.
• Sleep may be used as a predictor of mental health in several novel ways.

5. Kevin Briggs: The bridge between suicide and life

Kevin Briggs, a Golden Gate guardian who retired from the California Highway Patrol after 23 years of service, gives this TED Talk.

In this discussion, Briggs emphasizes the need to do the following while dealing with suicidality:

• Don’t simply talk; listen as well.
• Listening alone isn’t enough; you also have to understand.
• Don’t fight, accuse, or reassure the person that you know their feelings.

6. Joshua Walters: On being just crazy enough

In this TED Talk, Joshua Walters, a bipolar comic, treads the boundary between mental illness and mental skillfulness.“What’s the right balance between medicating craziness away and riding the manic edge of creativity and drive?” he wonders.

Joshua discusses the following topics in this talk:

• Your determination to achieve something that others have told you is impossible.
• Manic – not full-blown bipolar, where you believe you’re Jesus on the one hand and make a lot of money on the other.
• Being diagnosed with a mental health problem does not imply that you are insane; it just means that you are sensitive to things that most people cannot see or feel.

7. Barbara Natterson-Horowitz: What veterinarians know that physicians don’t

In her TED Talk, Barbara Natterson-Horowitz discusses how a species-spanning approach to Health can improve medical care for humans, particularly when it comes to mental health. 

She talks about:

• The distinction between treating an animal with medication and treating a human sickness.
• How doctors and veterinarians treat the same problems in their animal and human patients – CHF, brain tumors, leukemia, and even psychological syndromes such as sadness, anxiety, and compulsions.
• The therapeutic approach of doctors vs. the holistic approach of veterinarians.
• Doctors whose patients aren’t humans are practicing some of the best and most humanistic medicine.

8. JD Schramm: Break the silence for suicide attempt survivors

In this TED Talk, JD Schramm begs us to break the silence surrounding suicide and suicide attempts and establish much-needed services to assist those who reclaim their lives after narrowly avoiding death. 

He breaks the silence of suicide survivors by discussing the following topics:

• His life was going great, but he was still dealing with addiction and sadness despite all the prospects.
• How once someone commits to putting their lives back together — physically, emotionally, and spiritually – there are very few options accessible for someone who has attempted to terminate their life.
• The significance of seeking assistance and that things will get better — much better.

9. Ami Klin: A new way to diagnose autism

Ami Klin, an autism researcher, describes a new early detection technique that employs eye-tracking technologies to test babies’ social engagement skills and accurately predict their likelihood of developing autism in this TED Talk.

He discusses the following topics in this talk:

• What exactly is autism?
• Autism’s origins can be traced back to the beginning of life.
• New eye-tracking technologies and metrics have been developed.
• How some people excel in certain areas of their strengths, such as artistic ability.

10. Andrew Solomon: Love no matter what

In this TED Talk by Andrew Solomon, Andrew asks what the line between unconditional love and unconditional acceptance is?

How much unconditional love can there be even when everything appears to be going wrong?

• What are the different levels of unconditional acceptance?
• The thrill of unfathomable responsibility and how it triumphs over all else.

“The love you have for your children is like no other feeling in the world. And until you have children, you don’t know what it’s like,” he explains.

11. Vikram Patel: Mental health for all by involving all

In this TED Talk, Vikram Patel, a mental health advocate, discusses a promising approach to mental health by teaching community members to provide mental health interventions and empowering regular people to care for others. 

Vikram discusses the following topics in this talk:

• Why is suicide the leading cause of death among young people in every country?
• What exactly is DALY?
• The advantages of task shifting are that you may use whoever is available in the community and train them to perform a variety of healthcare interventions.

12. Laurel Braitman: Depressed dogs, cats with OCD- what animal madness means for us humans

In this TED Talk, Laurel Braitman examines what we may learn from observing animals deal with depression, sadness, and other all-too-human issues.

Laurel discusses the following topics in this talk:

• How she learned that animals may be affected by mental illness.
• How attempting to diagnose mental illness in animals can help us be better friends with them while also understanding ourselves better.
• Why are fear and anxiety such beneficial animal emotions?

Compulsive behavior in dogs can manifest in a variety of ways, some of which are amusing.

The significance of seeing organisms as individuals with their own weather systems guiding their behavior and shaping how they respond to the world.

13. Eleanor Longden: The voices in my head

Eleanor Longden tells the emotional story of her years-long journey back to mental Health in this TED Talk and points out that she could survive by learning to listen to her voice.

• How her voice aided her in communicating distant and unreachable feelings.
• Her trembling vocals were a symptom of her anxiety.

According to her, her mental illness was a significant reaction to harsh life circumstances.

How the human-animal has an intrinsic ability to heal and how the intellectual soul can use this ability.

Depression, schizophrenia, and suicide thoughts—all too often, these sentiments are kept hidden. The above speakers bravely relate their own experiences with mental illness in to hope that you would not feel so alone.

If you think your mental health issues are increasing to an extreme level, you can go for online therapies .

Do tell us in the comment section which speaker you found best.

Please feel free to bookmark this page, take your time going through them and share them with friends.

Every week, keep an eye out for our mental health blogs.

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Speech on Mental Health

Mental health is just as important as physical health. It’s all about how you think, feel, and behave.

Sometimes, life’s problems can cause stress and make you feel sad or anxious. That’s when you need to take care of your mental health.

1-minute Speech on Mental Health

Ladies and gentlemen, thank you for joining me today to discuss a topic that is very important in our everyday lives – mental health. Just like our physical health, mental health is crucial for our overall well-being and the quality of our lives.

It is important to understand that mental health issues can affect anyone, regardless of age, gender, or background. Anxiety, depression, stress, and other mental health challenges can have a profound impact on our daily lives, relationships, and even physical health.

One of the most effective ways to promote mental health is to practice self-care. This includes activities that help us relax and maintain a balance in our lives. This may mean taking a walk in nature, spending quality time with loved ones, or simply unplugging from social media for a while. By doing so, we can reduce stress and anxiety, thereby nurturing our mental health.

Moreover, creating awareness and sharing information about mental health is crucial. The more we educate ourselves and others, the better equipped we will be to identify when someone needs help and support. It is vital that we lend a listening ear and provide empathy and encouragement to those who are struggling.

Lastly, let us remember that seeking professional help is not a sign of weakness but an act of courage. Mental health professionals can provide the guidance and support needed to overcome challenges and lead a more fulfilling life.

In conclusion, mental health is a vital aspect of our well-being that should not be overlooked or stigmatized. By practicing self-care, spreading awareness, and encouraging open conversations, we can create a healthier and more compassionate society for all. Thank you.

Also check:

2-minute Speech on Mental Health

Ladies and gentlemen, esteemed guests, and dear friends, I stand before you today to discuss a topic that is not only close to my heart but also of great importance in today’s fast-paced world – mental health. It is an issue that affects each one of us, either directly or indirectly, and yet, it remains stigmatized and ignored.

Anxiety is a common mental health issue affecting millions of people worldwide. It’s a feeling of uneasiness, worry, or fear that can be mild or severe. It can manifest in various forms such as social anxiety, panic disorders, and phobias. Anxiety can be debilitating and prevent individuals from living a fulfilling life.

Depression, on the other hand, is a mental health disorder characterized by persistent feelings of sadness, hopelessness, and a lack of interest or pleasure in activities. It is a common and serious medical illness that affects how we feel, think, and act. Untreated depression can lead to long-term psychological and physical health problems.

One way we can support mental health is by practicing self-care. Self-care involves taking the time to prioritize our own well-being and making choices that positively impact our mental, emotional, and physical health. It can be as simple as taking a break to relax, pursuing a hobby, or engaging in regular exercise.

Additionally, we must learn to recognize the signs and symptoms of mental health issues, both in ourselves and others. Early intervention and support can greatly improve the lives of those affected by mental health disorders. Encourage open communication with friends and family about their feelings and experiences, and listen with empathy and understanding when they share their struggles.

Lastly, we must focus on spreading awareness about mental health and its importance. Educate yourself and others on the topic and participate in mental health initiatives in your community. Advocating for better mental health services and policies can lead to positive change and improved support for those in need.

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6 ways to take care of your mental health and well-being this World Mental Health Day

The COVID-19 pandemic has taken a toll on people’s mental health. People from all walks of life have experienced stress throughout the pandemic – from frontline workers who are overwhelmed with work, young people who can’t go to school, family members who are separated from each other, those impacted by COVID-19 infection or loss of loved ones, or people with pre-existing mental health conditions who face difficulties in accessing mental health services during lockdowns.

It is understandable to feel scared, anxious or helpless during this unprecedented time. But whatever situation you are in and wherever you are in the Pacific, you have the power to look after your mental health and well-being. As we celebrate World Mental Health Day this 10 October, here are 6 things you can do to help you cope, not only with the COVID-19 pandemic, but any event that may cause stress.

1. Talk to someone you trust

Talking to someone you trust – whether a friend, a family member, or a colleague – can help. You may feel better if you are able to openly share what you are going through with someone who cares about you. If you live in an area where face-to-face interactions are limited, you can still stay connected with your loved ones through a video call, phone call or messaging app.

2. Look after your physical health

Taking care of your physical health helps improve your mental health and well-being. Be active for at least 30 minutes daily, whether that’s running, walking, yoga, dancing, cycling, or even gardening. Eat a balanced and healthy diet. Make sure to get enough sleep.

3. Do activities that you enjoy

Try to continue doing the activities that you find meaningful and enjoyable, such as cooking for yourself or your loved ones, playing with your pet, walking in the park, reading a book, or watching a film or TV series. Having a regular routine with activities that make you feel happy will help you maintain good mental health.

4. Steer away from harmful substances

Don’t use harmful substances such as drugs, kava, alcohol or tobacco to cope with what you’re feeling. Though these may seem to help you feel better in the short term, they can make you feel worse in the long run. These substances are also dangerous and can put you and those around you at risk of diseases or injuries.

5. Take two minutes to focus on the world around you

Help free yourself of constantly swirling thoughts by reconnecting yourself with where you are at this moment in time. Follow along with the video below or simply take three slow deep breaths, feel your feet grounded on the floor and ask yourself:

• What are five things I can see?
• What are four things I can hear?
• What can I smell?
• What does it feel like to touch my knees or a something else I can reach? How does it feel underneath my fingers?

6. Seek professional help

If you feel like you cannot cope with the stress that you are facing, seek professional help by calling your local mental health helpline or getting in touch with your counsellor or doctor.  Remember you are not alone, and there are things you can do to support your emotional wellbeing.

Further advice is available in Managing Stress: Self-help Tips for People Living in the Pacific Islands

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The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500

Remarks by Vice President Harris on Mental Health and   Wellness

Children’s National Hospital      Washington, D.C.

2:58 P.M. EDT THE VICE PRESIDENT:  Good afternoon, everyone.  Good afternoon.  Monique and I were talking backstage, and I was asking her about her work.  And she said, “I — I can’t imagine doing anything else.”  In the midst of all that all of you do every day and what you endure — and I asked you the same thing — “Would you do anything else?” — you haven’t quit yet.  (Laughter.)  And it’s because I know you’re not the quitting type, at all. And — and I do truly believe that the work that all of you do is an extraordinary gift that you have and that you give.  And so it was very important to me and to the President that we would be here today to say thank you to all of you.  Thank you.   And, Monique, thank you for sharing your story and for the 16 years of dedicated service you have provided.   So before I begin talking a bit more about the issue of the importance of mental health, I do want to start by providing an update about the infant formula shortage.   The first military plane landed yesterday with more than 70,000 pounds of specialty formula, and the second will arrive later this week.   I know this is a scary situation for our parents and the caregivers who are taking care of these babies.  Our administration is working around the clock to ensure that there is enough safe baby formula available for all who need it.  And it is truly one of our highest priorities.   So, today — (applause) — okay, yes.  And collectively, I know, one of our highest priorities. We’re here today to talk about improving the mental healthcare and wellness of healthcare workers.  And it is my honor to be here, of course, with our Surgeon General, Vivek Murthy.   Dr. Murthy, I will say that you have done extraordinary work over your career, and in particular, you have been tireless in the fight against COVID-19.  And you have been — and I have witnessed it since the first days of our administration — a trusted voice throughout the pandemic.  So, on behalf of our nation, thank you, Dr. Murthy.  Thank you.  (Applause.)    And I’m also very proud to be here with the folks who make Children’s National the outstanding facility it is: the doctors, the nurses, the healthcare aides, the hospital staff, and support staff.   All of you who have chosen to live a life that is a life of service and, in particular, a life that is about our children and healing them, protecting them, and caring for them in the way that you do, in the way that I know is very personal. And I will tell you, I — I — most of my career — in fact, all of my career — children have been one of my main areas of focus — what we can do to protect them, to keep them safe, to protect their wellbeing, and to nurture them in all the ways we know we have a responsibility as a society to do.   You know, when we talk about our children — I know for this group, we all believe that when we talk about the children of the community, they are a children of the community.  And in that way, we should all feel a direct sense of responsibility for their wellbeing. When I was a young prosecutor many years ago, I saw firsthand how adverse childhood experiences can have a lasting effect on mental health.  And for decades, I have fought to improve children’s health and wellbeing.   As District Attorney of San Francisco, I helped launch the Center for Youth Wellness to support children who were dealing with the effects of trauma.   And as Attorney General of California, I launched a new bureau of the California Department of Justice that I named the Bureau of Children’s Justice to protect children from the types of trauma that can have lifelong effect.   I believe that the work that you all do to help the children and families of this community and of our country is truly remarkable work. For many of the people who come through the doors of this hospital, they spend time here that is probably one of the most difficult times in their lives.   And as doctors, as nurses, as staff, you provide life-saving medical care.  And you also offer comfort at a time when it is most needed.  Your compassion, I truly believe, is light in the midst of darkness, often.  And you do so much to take care of your patients in their time of need, which is why I’m here to say we need to do a better job of taking care of you.   The COVID-19 pandemic has, of course, brought increased attention to the mental health of workers in our healthcare system.  And we have asked so much of you over the course of these last two-plus years. Some of you held the hands of those who were dying on behalf of their loved ones.   All of you worked around the clock long before we understood how COVID-19 spread or what it did to the body.  And before you were even vaccinated or had protective equipment — the kind you needed — you were still here doing this work around the clock.   You spent hour after hour, many in a windowless room, unable to speak about how you were feeling or only being able to speak with a small group who truly could understand what you were going through.  But you did it nonetheless.   So there is an urgent need that we have, I believe, to address all of this and to address, of course, what has resulted: the stress, the burnout, the mental health challenges that you experienced most recently because of the pandemic.  Yet, I will also say, and we know, the problem existed, this burnout issue existed even before the pandemic.  And I’d like to recognize and thank the unions who are here who have long been a leading voice on this issue.   And, you know, the term “burnout” was originally coined in the 1970s by a psychologist to describe the mental repercussions he experienced while working in a clinic.   The choice to dedicate your life to helping people is a noble one, but too often it requires that you sacrifice so much of yourself.   In 2019, more than half of all healthcare workers reported feeling burnt out.  And that was — again, that was before the pandemic.   Each of you made enormous sacrifices to save lives under impossible conditions, which is why President Joe Biden and I are fighting to transform how mental health is understood, perceived, and treated for all Americans and, in particular, for our health workers.   You deserve access to the mental healthcare that you need.  You deserve support and understanding when you are struggling.  And you deserve working conditions that support your mental health.   That is why our administration has invested more than $100 million to expand mental health resources, including funding for healthcare organizations to create evidence-based programs around mental health and wellbeing for their employees.   In addition, we have dedicated $200 million to train the next generation of community health workers, including workers who specialize in mental healthcare and are also a trusted voice in their communities.   And today, Dr. Murthy released a new Surgeon General’s advisory to address health worker burnout.  It will include practical guidance about how to make workplace conditions safer, and it will recommend eliminating policies that punish people who seek help for mental health or addiction.   I urge hospital systems and administrators to follow the Surgeon General’s advisory. You know, the bottom line is this.  On this issue of mental health, you know, one way to think of it is this: If you knew someone who broke their arm, you would help them.  You would make sure they went to the hospital to get a cast.  And after they came home — well, on their way home, you’d probably open the door for them, you’d help them when they got home to get the support they need to heal through the point that they are feeling pain and then just need to heal.   We have to do the same when it comes to mental health.  I think for too long our system has failed to understand the significance of this.  I think for too long, when we think about healthcare, we act as though the body just starts from the neck down, instead of understanding we also need to address healthcare from the neck up: mental health. So, if you are struggling, please know you are not alone, that you are seen, and that you deserve to receive the help you desire and the help you need.   The President and I are fighting to expand mental healthcare for all Americans because everyone should have access to the support they need to thrive.   So, with that, I thank you all again, each one of you, for the work you do.  You are the angels walking among us.  Thank you.  (Applause.)    END                3:09 P.M. EDT

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Mental Health Informative Speech Topics | Example & Outline

Rachel r.n..

• September 10, 2022
• Essay Topics and Ideas

It’s important to be informed about mental health, especially since it’s something that so many people struggle with. In this article, we’ll cover some mental health informative speech topics that can help you raise awareness and start conversations about this important issue.

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What You'll Learn

Mental Health Informative Speech Ideas

When it comes to giving a speech, there are many different topics that you can choose from. However, if you want to give an informative speech about mental health, then you will need to make sure that you choose a topic that is both interesting and informative. To help you get started, here are some mental health informative speech ideas:

1. The Importance of Mental Health

2. The Different Types of Mental Illness

3. The Causes of Mental Illness

4. The Symptoms of Mental Illness

5. The Treatments for Mental Illness

6. The Impact of Mental Illness on Society

7. The Stigma Associated with Mental Illness

8. How to Help Someone with Mental Illness

9. mental Health in the Workplace 10. How to Talk about Mental Healthwith Family and Friends

Mental Health Speech Ideas

When it comes to giving a mental health speech, there are many different topics that you can choose to discuss. However, it is important to make sure that you select a topic that will be both informative and interesting to your audience. To help get you started, here are four mental health speech ideas:

This is a great topic for an informative speech as it can help to educate your audience on the importance of looking after their mental health. You could discuss the various factors that can impact mental health, such as stress, diet, and exercise. Additionally, you could provide tips on how to improve mental wellbeing.

2. The Warning Signs of Mental Illness

Another informative topic for a mental health speech is discussing the warning signs of mental illness. This can help people to better understand when they or someone they know may be developing a mental illness. It is important to note that not all warning signs will be present in every case, but some common ones include changes in mood, sleep patterns, and appetite.

3. The Stigma Surrounding Mental Illness

Unfortunately, there is still a lot of stigma surrounding mental illness which can make it difficult forpeople to seek help. This topic can be used to raise awareness of the stigma and to encourage people to break the silence around mental illness. Additionally, you could provide tips on how to support someone with a mental illness.

4. Personal Stories

Finally, another option for a mental health speech is to share personal stories. This could either be your own story or that of someone you know. Sharing personal stories can help to break down the barriers around mental illness and show people that they are not alone.

Hopefully, these mental health speech ideas have given you some inspiration for your next speech. Remember to choose a topic that you are passionate about so that you can deliver an engaging and informative speech.

Mental Health Informative Speech Topics

It can be difficult to come up with ideas for an informative speech, especially when the topic is something sensitive like mental health. In this article, we’ll give you some Mental Health Informative Speech Topics that will help you get started on your next big project!

When it comes to mental health, there are a lot of informative speech topics to choose from. Whether you want to educate others about mental illness, the warning signs of suicide, or how to cope with anxiety and depression, there is a wealth of information out there.

In this blog section, we’ll explore some of the most popular mental health informative speech topics. We’ll provide an overview of each topic, as well as some tips on how to deliver an effective and engaging speech.

Mental Health Informative Speech Topic #1: Mental Illness

There are many different types of mental illness, and it’s important to educate yourself and others about the signs and symptoms. Mental illness can be difficult to identify, but it’s important to be aware of the warning signs so that you can get help if you or someone you know is struggling.

Mental Health Informative Speech Topic #2: Suicide Prevention

Suicide is a serious issue, and it’s important to be familiar with the warning signs. If you or someone you know is in danger of harming themselves, it’s vital to get help immediately. There are many resources available to those in need, so don’t hesitate to reach out for help

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When it comes to giving an informative speech, there are many potential topics to choose from. But if you want to focus on mental health, there are a few key ideas that can make for an interesting and enlightening speech.

For example, you could discuss the different types of mental illness and how they can be treated. Or you could talk about the warning signs of mental illness and how to get help. You could also focus on the importance of mental health in overall wellness, or share stories about people who have overcome mental illness.

No matter what angle you take, informative speeches about mental health can be both educational and inspiring. So if you’re looking for a topic that will engage your audience and leave them wanting to learn more, consider one of these mental health topics for your next speech.

Mental Health Informative Speech

Informative speeches about mental health can be a great way to raise awareness about important topics related to mental health. By talking about mental health, you can help to break the stigma that often surrounds mental illness and help others to understand more about these conditions. If you are considering giving an informative speech about mental health, here are some potential topics that you could discuss:

1. The different types of mental illness. 2. The symptoms of mental illness. 3. The causes of mental illness. 4. The treatments available for mental illness. 5. The impact of mental illness on individuals and families. 6. The importance of early intervention for mental illness. 7. The challenges faced by people living with mental illness. 8. How to support someone with mental illness. 9. Mental health in the workplace. 10. Promoting positive mental health

informative speech topics on health and fitness

When it comes to giving an informative speech, there are many topics that you can choose from. However, if you want your audience to really learn something new and gain some valuable information, then you should consider talking about health and fitness. After all, these are two topics that affect everyone in some way or another.

There are a lot of different aspects to health and fitness that you can cover in your speech. For example, you could talk about the importance of exercise and how it can impact our overall health. You could also discuss the benefits of eating healthy and how it can help improve our mood and energy levels.

Of course, there are also some risks associated with being unhealthy that you could address as well. For instance, you could discuss the dangers of obesity and how it can lead to serious health problems like heart disease and diabetes.

Comprehesive SOAP Notes Examples

No matter what angle you decide to take, there is no doubt that informative speech topics on health and fitness will be both interesting and informative for your audience. So if you’re looking for a way to really engage your audience and teach them something new, then this is definitely the route you should take!

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3 Minute Speech on Mental Health in English for Students

Good Morning everyone, Today I am going to share my views on the topic “Mental health”.

Mental health is important at every stage of life, from childhood and adolescence through adulthood.Mental health is a positive value, integral to our wellness. It underpins our ability to shape our lives and our world.

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Speech, language and communication needs and mental health: the experiences of speech and language therapists and mental health professionals

Annabel hancock.

1 Division of Psychology and Language Sciences, University College London, London UK

Sarah Northcott

2 Division of Language and Communication Science, City University of London, London UK

Hannah Hobson

3 Department of Psychology, University of York, York UK

Michael Clarke

Associated data.

Data are available on request due to privacy/ethical restrictions. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.

While the relationship between speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) and mental health difficulties has been recognized, speech and language therapists (SLTs), and mental health professionals face challenges in assessing and treating children with these co‐occurring needs. There exists a gap in the evidence base for best practice for professionals working with children and young people (CYP) who experience difficulties in both areas.

To explore the views of SLTs and mental health clinicians about their experiences of working with CYP exhibiting co‐occurring SLCN and mental health difficulties.

Methods & Procedures

Semi‐structured interviews were conducted with eight SLTs and six mental health professionals, including psychotherapists, clinical psychologists, play therapists and counsellors, with experience working with CYP with SLCN. Interviews were analysed using reflexive thematic analysis and themes were identified from the data.

Outcomes & Results

Participants felt that SLCN and mental health difficulties frequently co‐occur. Participants described how CYP with SLCN and mental health issues commonly experience difficulties across and between the domains of language and cognition, emotional well‐being and challenging behaviour. Findings suggest that there are organizational limitations in the fields of SLT and mental health that have implications for the efficacy of assessment and treatment of CYP with SLCN and mental health difficulties. Traditional talking therapies were perceived to be inaccessible and ineffective for CYP with SLCN and mental health difficulties. Interventions blending behaviour and emotion programmes with language and communication interventions were considered potentially beneficial.

Conclusions & Implications

Future research should explore and evaluate current services and service set‐up in SLT and mental health. The findings from this study have important implications for the efficacy of treatments provided to this population suggesting that more research needs to be done into effective diagnosis and interventions for this population.

WHAT THIS PAPER ADDS

What is already known on the subject.

• Research suggests that CYP with SLCN, such as developmental language disorder (DLD), are likely to experience mental health difficulties including depression, anxiety and poor emotional well‐being. CYP who experience difficulties with SLCN and poor mental health are not well understood and this area remains under‐researched. This has implications for clinician knowledge and therefore the effective diagnosis and treatment of children and adolescents experiencing SLCN and mental health difficulties. In addition, little is known about the accessibility of talking therapies to CYP presenting with SLCN and mental health difficulties.

What this paper adds to existing knowledge

• SLCN issues are understood by SLTs and mental health issues are understood by mental health professionals, but where these co‐occur difficulties exist for the diagnostic process, with professionals perceiving that CYP in this category are often undiagnosed or misdiagnosed. Organizational boundaries between SLT and mental health were perceived to contribute to a lack of understanding of SLCN and mental health needs, which has implications for effective diagnosis and treatment. Traditional talking therapies were thought to be inaccessible for CYP with SLCN and mental health difficulties. Interventions used in both SLT and psychotherapy were perceived as clinically useful if combined.

What are the potential or actual clinical implications of this work?

• This paper highlights implications for the accessibility and efficacy of the assessment and treatment provided to this population and to the organization of services currently treating this group of CYP. A direction for future research would be to undertake service evaluations and intervention‐based studies.

INTRODUCTION

The relationship between speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) and mental health is interwoven and highly complex and often poses real problems for speech and language therapists (SLTs) and mental health professionals to understand, diagnose and treat. SLCN is a broad category that covers a wide range of conditions affecting speech, language and communication (Bishop et al., 2017 ). For simplicity and consistency, the term ‘mental health’ or ‘mental health difficulties’ will be used to refer to children and young people (CYP) with social–emotional and mental health needs, anxiety and depression.

The aim of this study was to explore the views of SLTs and mental health clinicians about their experiences of working with CYP with SLCN and mental health difficulties and, if identified by participants, to explore issues around language and social communication disorders. We begin by first reviewing the existing evidence on the links between language, communication and mental health.

Language, social communication and mental health

There is extensive evidence that language and communication problems co‐occur with mental health problems, although the mechanisms behind this relationship remain unclear. Poor language skills are common in CYP with emotional–behavioural disorders. A 2014 systematic review reported that four out of five children with emotional–behavioural disorders had at least mild language difficulties that had not been previously identified (Hollo et al., 2014 ). Poor mental health can present as challenging behaviour, and is associated with disorders of social communication and language (Georgiades et al., 2010 ). In addition to externalizing problems, children with social communication difficulties (SCDs) are likely to experience anxiety (Moree & Davis, 2010 ). Cohen et al. ( 2013 ) and Wadman et al. ( 2011 ) reported that anxiety symptoms frequently occur in individuals with DLD in young adulthood. DLD can severely impact on mental health, and an increased risk for depressive symptoms has been consistently reported in this group. For example, clinical levels of depression range from 20% to 39% in children and adolescents with DLD compared with 14–18% in peers without DLD (Conti‐Ramsden & Botting, 2008 ). Difficulties with language and communication can affect daily living and extend across the lifespan to affect life outcomes. For instance, young offenders with language impairment are at a higher risk for mental health problems (Snow & Powell, 2004 ) and one of the biggest predictors of reoffending is unrecognized DLD (Winstanley et al., 2019 ).

It is possible that certain aspects of language and communication hold particular relevance for mental health. Van den Bedem et al. ( 2018 ) reported specifically more semantic problems in individuals with DLD and the contribution of this to the prediction of depressive symptoms. Children with pragmatic language difficulties also appear prone to emotional and psychosocial difficulties (Cohen et al., 2013 ). For example, in a community‐based longitudinal study, Sullivan et al. ( 2016 ) reported an association between poor pragmatic language in childhood and adolescent psychotic experiences, and that poor pragmatic language skills preceded early adolescent depression. Some children with pragmatic language impairments also show difficulties recognizing facial emotions (Merkenschlager et al., 2012 ), which may impact on their ability to respond appropriately to others and to form close relationships with those around them (Merkenschlager et al., 2012 ). Van den Bedem et al. ( 2018 ) suggested that children with social communication problems are more likely to adopt maladaptive emotional regulation strategies. These maladaptive strategies may contribute to the prediction of higher levels of depressive symptoms. Children with SLCN are also more likely to be the target of bullying and to experience emotional difficulties compared with their typically developing peers (Lloyd‐Esenkaya et al., 2021 ). SCDs are thought to predict social anxiety, and those who experience peer victimization are likely to present with SCDs (Pickard et al., 2018 ).

In clinical practice, those commonly diagnosed with SCDs and/or autism spectrum disorder (ASD) may also present with pragmatic problems. Research shows that CYP with ASD and SCDs meet the diagnostic criteria for co‐morbid diagnoses of depression and anxiety disorders (Hofvander et al., 2009 ). The prevalence of mental health disorders in ASD is high. For example, in an interview study of 54 young adults with Asperger syndrome, 70% reported experiencing one major episode of depression and 56% reported experiencing anxiety disorders (Lugnegard et al., 2011 ). Furthermore, children with SCDs as part of ASD experience attention and challenging behaviour disorders (Moree & Davis, 2010 ; Georgiades et al., 2010 ) and this may lead to poor mental health.

Another factor that may link language, communication and mental health is the role of emotions and the impact of language and communication upon emotional processes. The ability to effectively vocalize feelings and thoughts relies heavily upon robust language skills, especially in relation to gaining a sense of self‐expression, self‐control and emotional insight (Unsworth & Engle, 2007 ). Neuropsychological evidence also highlights that damage to classic language areas in the brain affects emotion processing. Computerised tomography (CT) scans of patients who had sustained a traumatic brain injury found that damage to the inferior frontal gyrus (i.e., Broca's area) was associated with increased alexithymia scores (difficulties identifying and describing one's own emotions) (Hobson et al., 2018 ). Similarly, communication problems of people who have had a stroke are associated with high alexithymia scores, even after accounting for depression and anxiety (Hobson et al., 2020 ). Such research has led to the proposal that the link between language and identifying emotions is intrinsic, and that language impairment could contribute to alexithymia and/or vice versa. This has been coined as the alexithymia language hypothesis (Hobson et al., 2020 ). While these studies reflect data from acquired language disorders (i.e., following traumatic brain injury or stroke), Hobson et al. ( 2020 ) suggests that individuals with developmental language problems are also likely to experience difficulties with alexithymia. Indeed, initial examinations of levels of alexithymia in DLD suggest that, at least according to children's parents, children with DLD have higher alexithymic traits and problems with recognizing and expressing their own emotions (Hobson & van den Bedem, 2021 ). If language problems lead to greater alexithymic traits, it would be expected that such emotional problems will increase the risk for mental health problems and impact on treatment.

Interventions for mental health and SLCN

There are clear links between language and communication problems and mental health, and plausible models for how these two domains interact. It is thus pertinent to ask: What can interventions do to help and are current interventions suitable for CYP with SLCN? The use of appropriately modified talking therapies for CYP with language and SCDs is lacking evidence. Nonetheless, deficits in speech, language and communication would be expected to negatively impact the effect of talking therapies as CYP with SLCN would have difficulties with understanding pragmatic and inferential language, understanding and using narrative language, and understanding and interpreting emotions. Furthermore, difficulties communicating abstract concepts in verbal and non‐verbal children have been identified as limiting factors to effectively access psychological therapies (Lang et al., 2010 ). Thus, social communication and language difficulties may reduce the accessibility and therefore efficacy of traditional talking therapies.

There appears little acknowledgement about the role of language and communication in modifications of talking therapies. The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines for the use of psychosocial interventions with adults with ASD (NICE, 2013 ) recommend using plain English during therapy sessions and avoiding the use of metaphors. In addition, much of the research in this area has focused largely on the use of cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) in children and adolescents and often with overt SLCN such as voice disorders, stammering and selective mutism (Bercow et al., 2016 ; Menzies et al., 2008 ). There is also a growing body of research on the use of adapted talking therapies for adults with SLCN. For instance, the Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) in Poststroke Aphasia SOFIA trial (Northcott et al., 2021 ) applied modified SFBT so that it was accessible to language‐impaired stoke survivors. There is no direct evidence for the use of adapted talking therapies in CYP with DLD or language impairments.

Without knowledge about the nature of the SLCN, suitable access to a talking therapy may be ineffective. For instance, individuals with ASD have more trouble understanding psychotherapy concepts than non‐autistic controls (Hall et al., 2015 ). Furthermore, differences in social communication may mean a lack of social chat, difficulties initiating and maintaining conversations and interpreting language literally, all of which would significantly impact upon effective accessibility to talking therapies (Bliss & Edmonds, 2008 ).

In summary, despite the evidence for a relationship between SLCN and mental health needs, there are considerable knowledge gaps in understanding the impact of SLCN on the efficacy and accessibility of treatments, and the role of SLCN in traditional talking therapies has been largely unexplored. Little is known about clinicians’ perspectives of SLCN and mental health difficulties. Therefore, to inform and build the evidence base, the current study explored the views and experiences of clinicians assessing and treating CYP with SLCN and mental health difficulties. The aim of the study was to explore clinicians’ experiences of working with CYP with SLCN and mental health difficulties. The study addressed the following research questions:

• With what difficulties do CYP with SLCN and mental health needs typically present?
• How do clinicians experience assessing and delivering therapies to CYP with SLCN and mental health difficulties?
• What treatments are thought to be clinically useful for CYP with SLCN and mental health difficulties?

Research design

A qualitative research design using reflexive thematic analysis (TA) was chosen for this study in order to obtain a richness and depth to the data set that would appropriately answer the research questions. This approach facilitated an exploration of clinician experiences, observations and knowledge. A reflexive approach to TA was chosen due to the emphasis placed on the importance of the researcher's subjectivity as an analytic resource, and the reflexive engagement with theory, data and interpretation (Braun & Clarke, 2020 ). A reflexive approach is compatible with experiential qualitative research and was fundamental to the research questions. The approach adopted was an active and flexible process with the acknowledgement of theory. This process ensured a quality demonstrated in gold standard TA (Braun & Clarke, 2020 ). Interview questions were semi‐structured in nature; an interview guide and questions were constructed (see in the additional supporting information ) and followed from a flexible and dynamic perspective. The questions were designed to be open‐ended to facilitate flow of conversation with the aim to build rapport and encourage participants to talk about issues pertinent to the research questions.

Participants and recruitment

This study received ethical approval from University College London (LCD‐2020‐10). This study involved 14 clinicians: eight SLTs and six mental health professionals (Table  1 ). Inclusion criteria were that participants should be qualified allied health professionals in the field of speech and language therapy or mental health. Participants had to have sufficient professional experience (at least one year post‐qualification) working with CYP. Participants were provided with an information sheet written in plain English regarding the research area, interview procedure and research aims. Informed consent was obtained before each interview and participants were given the opportunity to ask questions.

Participant characteristics

Data collection

Interviews lasted for up to one hour and were conducted by the first author online via Microsoft Teams video conferencing software. Video‐audio data were collected. Online interviews were chosen for participant convenience and to ensure that the research could take place despite COVID‐19 pandemic restrictions. Each interview was recorded and transcribed verbatim by the first author and field notes were taken. Personally identifying information such as names and places of work were not transcribed to ensure participant anonymity. Video recordings were securely stored under encryption and deleted after analysis.

Data analysis

The transcribed interviews were subjected to an inductive thematic analysis. An inductive approach to thematic analysis was chosen due to the acknowledgement that epistemological assumptions would inevitably inform the analytic process (Braun & Clarke, 2020 ). However, the recognition that thematic analysis is a theoretically flexible approach was accepted and informed the analytic process. Therefore, the approach was descriptive but not wholly atheoretical. A flexible, active and interactive approach was central to the data analysis to support the process of theme generation, as opposed to theme emergence which could be deemed as not reflective of the data and the positionality of the researchers (Braun & Clarke, 2020 ).

NVivo 20 software was used to support line‐by‐line coding of all transcripts. A reflective diary was used to support the identification of themes from codes. Online team coding was conducted with two postgraduate research students and three senior researchers to support the process of reflexivity and refinement of theme generation. The first author presented raw data, identified codes and initial generated themes to the coding group; these were discussed, challenged and refined.

Reflexivity

As reflexive TA captures the skills the researcher brings to the process (Braun & Clarke, 2020 : 6), it is necessary to consider the researcher's perspective. The lead author is a female clinical academic SLT specializing in paediatric ASD, DLD and challenging behaviour. She is also a solution‐focused therapist and practices hypnotherapy with children and adults. The current project formed part of the lead researcher's pre‐doctoral clinical fellowship funded by The National Institute of Health Research. The co‐authors are senior researchers with experience in the fields of speech and language therapy and psychology with research in aphasia and solution‐focused brief therapy, alexithymia and SLCN. Participants were informed about the lead researcher's occupation, background and research aims. The lead researcher's interests and aims were not shared with the participants, and the researcher attempted to maintain a neutral stance throughout the interviews in order to obtain a true picture of clinicians’ experiences and understanding of specific subtypes of SLCN and their relationship to mental health.

Four main themes were generated from the data: (1) boundaries around professional relationships, (2) knowledge of SLCN and mental health, (3) being misunderstood: how CYP are perceived by others and (4) blended interventions. These are summarized in Figure  1 . We unpack each theme and its subthemes below.

Summary of the main themes and subthemes [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com ]

Note: SLT, speech and language therapy; MH, mental health; MDT, multidisciplinary team.

In addition, data were gathered regarding how participants characterize this population. SLCN and difficulties with mental health were identified by participants as frequently co‐occurring. These data are presented following a discussion of the four themes under Figure  2 : SLCN and mental health difficulties: typical difficulties reported in this population.

Speech, language and communication needs (SLCN) and mental health difficulties: typical difficulties reported in this population [Colour figure can be viewed at wileyonlinelibrary.com ]

Theme 1: Boundaries around professional relationships

This theme describes observed discrepancies in the identification of children with SLCN and mental health difficulties, and discrepancies in approaches to working with this population between mental health professional participants and SLT participants. Differences in service provision, professional practice and lack of multidisciplinary team working were cited by participants as contributing factors to the observed discrepancies.

One subtheme concerned marked differences in the organization of SLT and mental health services. SLT and mental health services were not only considered differently organized but also highly variable depending upon postcode, funding and service set‐up. How services were set‐up was construed to play a large part in the appropriate management, or perceived mismanagement, of children with SLCN and mental health difficulties. Service boundaries were identified as contributing to a range of difficulties working across and between disciplines. For example, SLTs discussed difficulties referring to services such as child and adolescent mental health services (CAMHS), often receiving referral rejections from CAMHS with limited or no feedback. Other examples cited by participants were related to limited feedback or acknowledgement to receiving patient reports, a physical distance between services, and difficulties identifying appropriate treatment pathways for CYP with SLCN and mental health difficulties, particularly in mental health services. ‘Lots of referrals get rejected, so many referrals that we really feel as a team need CAMHS support’ (participant (P)5: SLT).

Participants described how services are often entirely separate and working in respective isolation. This was interpreted to contribute to a limited or total absence of joint working, resulting in a lack of knowledge of each profession's discipline and of discipline protocols, for example, referral systems, use of screening for appropriate referrals and confidentiality policies. Service level differences were also cited as causing difficulties identifying which discipline should assess and manage CYP. ‘It was sort of, oh no, that has to be CAMHS, CAMHS has to deal with them, and if they were under seven, then CAMHS would say, oh no, that has to be speech therapy, speech therapy is dealing with them’ (P3: SLT).

A second subtheme was limited multidisciplinary team (MDT) working. An MDT is a group of health or social care workers and professionals who are members of different disciplines, each of which provides a specific service to service users (Hodder Education, 2021 ). Differences in service provision and service funding resulting in a separation of professionals, both at a geographic and organization level, was construed as a contributing factor to limited MDT working between mental health and speech and language therapy. Participants described how SLTs and mental health professionals are often not part of the same MDT and therefore have fewer opportunities to provide integrated care. SLT participants commented that their profession is often unaccounted for within acute mental health services, and one mental health professional considered her role under the safeguarding team as being cut‐off from the SLT's role which was under the SEN team. In addition, some participants attributed limited MDT working to policy level differences such as psychological services not sharing information with SLT due to confidentiality policies and differences in patient note systems:

‘we're often funded by different streams and funded by different people, we work in different health trusts quite often, and that actually has massive implications for the fact a) that you're not physically in the same building, so you don't get to see these people very often, but that even things about how we collect data, our electronic patient systems, we often use very different data technology that, that can make things very difficult in terms of information sharing’. (P13: mental health professional)

SLT participants also described a lack of approachability from mental health professionals which was seen as alienating and limiting from a diagnostic and therapeutic perspective, further contributing to limited MDT working, collaboration and cohesion between these professional groups.

‘because you've talked about an incident or challenging behaviour or something like that, certain psychology colleagues see that as inappropriate or you've overstepped a boundary because you're talking about a kind of emotion when that's something that they do, or they perceive themselves as doing quite exclusively’. (P7: SLT)

Theme 2: Knowledge of SLCN and mental health difficulties

The first theme ‘Boundaries around professional relationships’ directly interacts with the second theme ‘Knowledge of SLCN and mental health difficulties’. A perceived lack of shared knowledge was seen to be related to limited opportunities for multidisciplinary experiences and the clinical service set‐up overall.

The first subtheme concerned the ‘visibility’ of SLCN. It was construed that potentially less immediately obvious SLCN, such as DLD, are less likely to be identified by mental health professionals than more visible SLCN, such as stammering and selective mutism. Visible SLCNs discussed more frequently by mental health professionals as opposed to invisible SLCNs. This discrepancy was described by participants as potentially contributing to unidentified SLCN and mental health difficulties within mental health services, and the lack of knowledge universally with assessment and treatment of this population.

‘I don't think that's typical for mental health practitioners (to consider language difficulties). No, I would definitely think I know my team, the teams that I've worked in, most people would not think about language, particularly language disorders in a young person as part of the part of their (psychology) assessment, unless a parent disclosed something like that, or unless they were very, it was very clear evidence that there were quite obvious difficulties’. (P13: mental health professional)

Difficulty teasing out SLCN from mental health issues (and vice versa) was also interpreted as contributing to a lack of knowledge regarding appropriate diagnosis of CYP with SLCN and mental health difficulties. It was construed that a lack of understanding of the relationship between SLCN and mental health often impacts upon which professional should and would assess and treat this population. Participants discussed how social skills historically have been explicitly taught by SLTs but that mental health professionals are increasingly using this approach as an intervention strategy. Participants discussed a general lack of clarity around role boundaries which could sometimes lead to perceptions of overstepping a professional role or boundary. ‘In my kind of experience, I find certain psychologists very much see emotion, or kinds of challenging behaviour as their domain and they don't like anyone stepping into it’ (P7: SLT).

Barriers to accessing talking therapies was the second subtheme. Knowledge around diagnosis was construed as relating directly to providing appropriate interventions for this population, particularly regarding talking therapies. Traditional talking therapies were interpreted as being potentially inaccessible and inflexible for individuals presenting with SLCN and mental health difficulties, particularly if language difficulties were unidentified. SLTs and some mental health professional participants viewed psychological therapies as language heavy, involving higher level language and concepts that CYP with SLCN would struggle to comprehend and verbalize.

‘I might go and observe a psychology session with them and then the language they're using is far too complex the, the psychological language, the therapy materials, they often use a metaphorical language, they're using kind of these images and symbolism, which is far too complex for the person in general and then they're not really understanding’ (P7: SLT).

Due to a perceived lack of knowledge, identification of CYP with less visible SLCN might be missed by mental health professionals and unaccounted for within traditional psychological therapies. SLT participants described how in such instances appropriate accessibility and efficacy of talking therapies for CYP with SLCN may be compromised. ‘I'm not sure how much they know about these particular children's language needs and like how therefore their intervention with DEAF‐CAMHS‐H [CAMHS for the hearing impaired] is delivered effectively’ (P2: SLT).

Theme 3: Being misunderstood/labelled as naughty

Both SLT and mental health professional participants construed CYP presenting with SLCN and mental health difficulties as misunderstood and often perceived negatively by staff, carers, parents and the wider environment. In particular, difficulties with challenging behaviour, dysregulation and disengagement were interpreted by participants as being misunderstood and perceived as ‘naughty’. Participants considered the high prevalence of behaviours such as disengagement, a distrust of professionals and school refusal as contributing to this perception. Participants interpreted this population as commonly using non‐typical social communication skills that may result in difficulties building and maintaining relationships with peers, staff, parents and carers, further contributing to a negative perception. Difficulties with understanding and expressing language were seen to be related directly to instances of challenging behaviour.

‘We tend to get a lot of young people who are presenting at school, with quite significant behavioural difficulties and we tend to find that being viewed as a behavioural child, rather than a child that's got underlying language needs that have been un‐diagnosed’ (P5: SLT).

Theme 4: Blended interventions

The final theme concerns blended interventions. This theme describes participants’ descriptions of optimum interventions for CYP with SLCN and mental health difficulties. It was construed that working with the systems and environment around CYP is clinically useful for this population.

The first subtheme concerns working with the environment. The use of positive behavioural support systems, emotional regulation strategies and programmes, staff training, and the involvement of parents within interventions were deemed as clinically useful interventions for CYP experiencing SLCN and mental health issues. Parent–child interaction therapy (PCIT) is used by SLTs with the aim of improving interactions between children and their parents/carers (Falkus et al., 2016 ). Theraplay is used by psychotherapists to support healthy child/caregiver attachments (Institute of Theraplay, 2021 ). Both PCIT and Theraplay offer similar programmes where parents are involved as part of the intervention process. Participants discussed the potential of combining or utilizing such approaches in a more joined‐up manner for future targeted interventions. A functional approach to mitigating SLCN was also construed as beneficial for this population. Participants discussed how targeting specific aspects of SLCN may not be as beneficial as focusing on increasing overall functioning and well‐being of CYP.

‘So, I think in terms of delivering therapy, lots of it is about that environmental to therapeutics, so sort of, let's see if we can normalize the environment as much as we can in this environment and support behaviour through communication’ (P3: SLT).

The second subtheme concerned supports for communication. This theme was discussed universally by participants. The need to adapt language and consider therapist delivery within all diagnostic and therapeutic processes was seen as paramount for CYP experiencing SLCN and mental health difficulties. Using simple or no language to take the pressure off a requirement for verbal communication was interpreted as being necessary within any intervention for this population. Other visual supports, such as talking mats (Murphy et al., 2013 ) and communication systems, such as visual timetables and ‘now and next’ boards, were considered useful.

‘The use visuals, the use of visuals full stop. Whether that's visual or written timetable, even if the child has literacy so implementing a sort of routine on a timetable and consistent use of that across the day, I think works well’ (P4: SLT).

Play therapy or the use of play as a vehicle for access to psychological therapy for CYP with SLCN and mental health difficulties was considered a potentially useful psychological approach for this population due to the lack of emphasis upon verbal communication:

‘So, I think the use of toys and play can help bring their outer world about what's going on when, what they see inside and speech doesn't need to be, it doesn't need to be a part of that’ (P12: mental health professional). ‘I think the therapy it's different because I'm not expecting, they don't have to talk’ (P11: mental health professional).

Explicitly teaching higher level language was deemed an important intervention strategy, particularly in relation to comprehending and expressing emotions. One SLT participant described how they had combined a cognitive developmental theory of emotion and a psychotherapy model, with a vocabulary intervention directed through talking mats (Murphy et al., 2013 ) to facilitate communication. This was discussed and explored as a potentially useful way to develop emotion vocabulary comprehension and processing with this population.

‘You give people labels to understand what they're feeling physically, and then you move it onto more cognitive levels where that's the more kind of established sort of CBT, that kind of approach where they're thinking about their emotions and their thoughts … then you move on to the word level stage (of the vocabulary intervention) and that's very much around introducing kind of very basic semantic understanding of the word of the meaning and then you're building in the syntax and you're trying to get a really deep, you're trying to get there because they often have a vague notion of what certain words mean, but their understanding is very poor so you're trying to really reinforce a particular meaning or understanding of an emotion word’ (P7: SLT).

Merging interventions drawing upon practices from speech and language therapy and mental health was discussed. For instance, an SLT talked about how they had successfully combined shape coding (Ebbels, 2021 ), which is an established intervention used by SLTs, with social communication, emotional regulation, and transactional support (SCERTS), which is a behaviour intervention (Prizant et al., 2006 ). Participants also interpreted the use of relatable, non‐hypothetical language, and teaching how emotions look and feel in the body as being clinically necessary for this population. Participants advocated for the need to modify and adapt traditional talking therapies such as cognitive behavioural therapy and using an individualized approach. ‘Lots of more sort of explicit ways of doing things and using lots of examples from his own his own life and things that he would bring to the session rather than me coming up with example’ (P13: mental health professional).

Common difficulties reported by interviewees to be seen in CYP with SLCN and poor mental health

In addition to the themes described above, participants generated discussion regarding how they characterize this population. In answer to the question ‘can you tell me about some of the difficulties these CYP experience?’, participants described a range of difficulties this population typically present with. This is not a diagnostic criterion; it is a set of descriptions used by participants to describe their experience of this population (Figure  2 ).

Participants felt that characterizing the overall presentation of this population is often problematic. Participants reported that it is difficult to determine what is specifically a SLCN and what is a mental health need. SLCN and difficulties with mental health were identified by participants as frequently co‐occurring. Key aspects of development were identified by participants as being typically delayed or disordered with CYP experiencing SLCN and mental health difficulties. Participants reported that CYP in this population would commonly experience difficulties across these areas. The first area identified was emotional well‐being. Participants felt that this population significantly struggle with feelings of self‐consciousness, low self‐esteem, and anxiety, often about the presence of a communication impairment, and the impact of their communication difficulty on their experiences with the world around them. Participants felt that difficulties with self‐esteem and anxiety could sometimes result in poor emotional resilience. One participant described how young offenders are at particular risk of developing low self‐esteem because of multiple exclusions from education and therefore a sense of rejection that they may experience throughout life. Another participant described how difficulties with SLCN could impact on their well‐being and levels of anxiety and distress and behaviour. ‘We definitely see those children, they're often very anxious and there is definitely an impact of some of their difficulties on their well‐being, self‐esteem and their mental health’ (P5: SLT).

The second common characteristic was challenging behaviour. Participants described this population as typically experiencing difficulties with engagement, staying on task, and finding it hard to comply with work in the classroom or, with other professionals. Typical behavioural difficulties were problems with emotional regulation and the presence of anger or aggressive behaviours. Participants described how CYP can be disruptive or conversely appear withdrawn and isolated in social situations. Other reported difficulties in this area were with attention and listening and with building and maintaining relationships, particularly with peers.

‘We see quite a lot of, we describe it as anxiety for the children that, that I work with and dysregulation is a term that I've been using much more recently, so that can present as very elevated, it can present us physical aggression, some self‐harm and behaviours, yeah, sort of, socially inappropriate behaviours in terms of removing clothes and smearing and that sort of thing’ (P10: mental health professional).

The final area identified as characteristic of this population was language and cognition. Participants felt that this category of CYP experience difficulties with general language comprehension, processing of spoken language and with their expressive language. ‘Verbally he (a patient) appeared to understand things very well or he had a good, he had a good vocabulary, but actually his understanding was limited so he could be quite misleading’ (P13: mental health professional).

Difficulties with executive function was also discussed, often in relation to CYP being able to appropriately plan and organize themselves. One participant cited how it is common for CYP to arrive late to lessons, getting lost en‐route and forgetting school equipment. Difficulties with verbal reasoning were also described as commonly present with this population. ‘They're breaking their curfews and they end up in trouble with the police and things because they can't tell the time’ (P5: SLT).

Difficulties with metacognition (thinking about thinking) was also highlighted by participants as a typical difficulty seen in these CYP. Difficulties with insight, being able to monitor their communication and planning how to approach a learning task were all discussed as typical problems for this population. ‘They may not have insight into their own language use or behaviour’ (P2: SLT).

‘Difficulties with higher order language and the use of sophisticated, abstract and emotional language was also reported. Participants reported CYP in this population often experience difficulties understanding and using emotion language, particularly labelling emotions. They don't know what it means when somebody uses those words (emotional words), or is sarcastic’ (P5: SLT).

The misunderstanding of negative constructions was discussed as being a barrier to understanding emotions:

‘You might conceive that someone's doing something to you because you can't understand negative constructions, for instance, you just you assume everyone's just doing things to you but you're the one who's not quite understanding like the word no, or negative things’ (P7: SLT).

Difficulties with being able to understand abstract language and using language in a more abstract way to make predictions, use hypothetical language and humour was also cited as a typical difficulty in this population. ‘He would struggle with transferring that knowledge from a discussion about a hypothetical person to himself’ (P10: mental health professional).

The current study explored the experiences and views of SLTs and mental health professionals working with CYP with SLCN and mental health difficulties. Discussion around CYP with SCDs such as ASD, and developmental language disorder (DLD) was of particular interest. SLTs and mental health professionals in this study perceived certain subtypes of SLCN to commonly co‐occur with mental health difficulties. Findings suggest that there are organizational and service set‐up boundaries between SLTs and mental health clinicians, which has implications for the efficacy of assessment and treatment of this population. Findings also suggest that this population is often misunderstood and misidentified. The current research indicates that combined approaches in SLT and mental health may be beneficial for CYP who present with co‐occurring SLCN and mental health needs.

The current research has also identified that distinct barriers exist between mental health clinicians and SLTs which has led to boundaries between these professional groups. The most significant barrier was found to be around service organization and set‐up. Participants described how, as professionals, they felt organizational difficulties led to feelings of ‘failing’ this cohort. Findings suggest that mental health professionals and SLTs are often not in the same MDT and that SLT is often not a recognised professional group within children and adolescent mental health services. SLT and mental health services appear to be functioning in parallel, working under different teams, services, NHS trusts, local authorities, and sometimes entirely different organizations. Service set‐up and organization limitations were deemed to result in fewer opportunities for MDT working which has a negative impact on the knowledge professionals have of CYP with co‐occurring SLCN and mental health difficulties. Within the United Kingdom there is currently an ongoing consultation process with The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT) and CAMHS to recognise the role of SLT within mental services and to increase SLT roles within core CAMHS services.

The current research highlights how a lack of understanding of this population is a clinical concern and has been described by participants in this study as having implications for effective diagnosis and treatment. The current study also illustrates that availability of joined up and multidisciplinary services for this population is scarce. This has resulted in a lack of shared knowledge about this population, leading to challenges with diagnosis, particularly with CYP who exhibit invisible SLCN and mental health difficulties such as DLD. The current research highlights that CYP with co‐occurring SLCN and mental health difficulties may be undiagnosed or misdiagnosed by professionals. This may mean CYP in this population fail to receive appropriately modified and evidence‐based treatment. The current findings resonate with other recent investigations of parents’ experiences concerning mental health support for their children with SLCN. Parents have reported concerns that mental health treatments were not accessible for their children and lacked adaptations necessary for them to work for children with conditions such as DLD (Hobson et al., 2021 ).

Typical behaviours and characteristics of CYP with co‐occurring SLCN and mental health needs are often misunderstood by parents, carers and professionals resulting in this population being misinterpreted and often labelled as ‘naughty’. Behaviours that are typically misunderstood include anger or emotional outbursts due to difficulties with emotional regulation, disengagement, language difficulties and problems with building and maintaining adult and peer relationships. Participants reported that children in this population are frequently ‘angry’ or show aggressive behaviours, and experience difficulties with friendships, can be distrusting of professionals, and are likely to show poor school attendance. Participants observed that CYP in this population are also likely to experience school expulsion, attendance to pupil referral units, and in some cases youth offending institutions/team (YOT).

A key finding was that interventions used in both speech and language therapy and psychotherapy are perceived as clinically useful if combined. Other research (Bercow et al., 2016 ; Menzies et al., 2018 ) has applied mental health interventions to specific subtypes of SLCN such as stammering, selective mutism and ASD, but little in relation to DLD. Participants discussed how they have successfully blended behaviour and emotion programmes with language and communication interventions. Similarly, participants discussed how combining traditional talking therapies, such as CBT, with modifications to account for communication difficulties, such as using visual supports, can be beneficial.

Hollo et al. ( 2014 ) has called for the development of interventions to ameliorate the effects of these dual deficits. Findings from the current study show that some existing or modified interventions are anecdotally effective. A good starting point for future research would be with the exploration of adapted traditional talking therapies and psychological therapies combined with SLT. A preliminary finding from the current research is that play therapy could also offer a potentially useful psychological therapy for CYP with co‐occurring SLCN and mental health difficulties due to its child‐led nature and lack of emphasis upon language and communication. Interestingly, play therapy was also raised by parents of children with DLD in the study by Hobson et al. ( 2021 ) as an approach that they felt would be worth pursuing. This has yet to be directly explored in individuals with SLCN but could offer further direction for future research into interventions for this population.

Findings from the current research show that it is not typical for mental health clinicians to consider language and communication skills within their assessment and treatment processes. The potential impact of this omission was described by participants as limiting CYP with co‐occurring SLCN and mental health needs to therapies that would likely be inaccessible. The current study has found that traditional talking therapies may not be modified for this population, unless the CYP have an obvious or diagnosed SLCN. This has implications for the efficacy of treatments provided, highlighting that traditional talking therapies, if not appropriately modified, are likely to be suboptimal for this cohort. Participants felt that traditional talking therapies could be reasonably adjusted to be accessible to individuals with SLCN. In a recent intervention study where aphasic adult patients received SFBT, Northcott et al. ( 2015 ) concluded that modifying question forms of therapy enabled greater accessibility.

Clinicians identified that CYP with SLCN and mental health difficulties most commonly experience difficulties across and between the domains of language and cognition, emotional well‐being and challenging behaviour. Fundamentally, participants considered that it is typical for CYP to present with co‐occurring SLCN and mental health difficulties, that is, difficulties across speech, language and communication and mental health. Previous research reports that children and adolescents with DLD and ASD are likely to experience difficulties with anxiety and depression (Cohen et al., 2013 ; Hofvander et al., 2009 ; Wadman et al., 2011 ). Results from the current study reflect this, indicating that difficulties with language and social communication are likely to interact with mental health difficulties. In addition, participants felt that SLCN can profoundly affect a person's social and emotional well‐being, and this can lead to poor mental health.

Participants described how CYP typically experiencing difficulties with higher level language are likely to find understanding and expressing emotions challenging. This supports existing frameworks such as the alexithymia language hypothesis (Hobson et al., 2020 ) which proposes that because of the intrinsic relationship between language and emotions, CYP with conditions such as ASD and DLD may be more likely to experience co‐occurring difficulties with mental health.

A limitation of the current study was that some of the participants were recruited from the researcher's professional network. Thus, a convenience sample was used and therefore potential selection bias may have been present, resulting in a failure to capture important perspectives from hard‐to‐reach participants. However, it is important to note that the range of participant specialities, knowledge and skill set was heterogenous and diverse.

Clear directions for future research have been identified from the results of the current study. The service organization, set‐up and service provision for this population is problematic. Future studies could explore and evaluate current services, set‐up and structure across and between SLT and mental health. The findings from the current study have important implications for the efficacy of treatments provided to this population, suggesting that more research needs to be done in this area. There exists a large gap in the evidence base for intervention‐based studies with this population. Larger scale intervention studies could also provide evidence for the efficacy of psychological approaches with this population. Future studies could also explore the adaptability of traditional talking therapies, combining approaches drawn from SLT and psychological therapies and the exploration of play therapy. Intervention studies analysing the efficacy of psychological therapies in children and adolescents with SLCN should arguably be conducted in part with SLT to provide input regarding SLCN. Modifications to talking therapies in young people with SLCN are therefore necessary in order to reflect and treat the presence of SLCN and mental health difficulties. Research from Solution Focused Brief Therapy (SFBT) in Poststroke Aphasia SOFIA trial (Northcott et al., 2021 ) suggests that modifications to SFBT is a promising psychotherapy approach for adults with aphasia, and that it is possible to adapt a language‐based psychological intervention for people with language disorders. In addition, behavioural activation therapy has also been shown to be successfully modifiable for adults with aphasia (Thomas et al., 2013 ) but further evidence, especially in a paediatric population, is scarce.

The current study aimed to describe typical presentations of this population, clinician experiences treating this population and clinically useful treatment approaches. The findings present a picture of the problems CYP with SLCN and mental health needs commonly experience and has enabled the documentation of a range of clinician experiences and views to inform and build a limited evidence base. Findings suggest that there are distinct organizational and service set‐up limitations with implications for the assessment and treatment of CYP with SLCN and mental health difficulties. Interventions drawing upon SLT, and mental health approaches may be beneficial for this population.

Supporting information

Supporting Information

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

Annabel Hancock thanks The Owl Therapy Centre for their invaluable support and for making this project a reality. She also thanks her supervisors and The NIHR for funding this project as part of the Predoctoral Clinical Academic Fellowship. She is also grateful to the participants who took part in this project, without which this research would not have been possible.

Hancock, A. , Northcott, S. , Hobson, H. , & Clarke, M. (2023) Speech, language and communication needs and mental health: the experiences of speech and language therapists and mental health professionals . International Journal of Language & Communication Disorders , 58 , 52–66. 10.1111/1460-6984.12767 [ PMC free article ] [ PubMed ] [ CrossRef ] [ Google Scholar ]

The NIHR funded this project as part of Annabel Hancock's Predoctoral Clinical Academic Fellowship.

DATA AVAILABILITY STATEMENT

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Speech on Health for Students and Children

Speech on health.

Hello, wonderful people out there. Today I am here to deliver a speech on Health. This includes everything starting from our physical health to mental health. A person who is free from illness, free from injury and free from pain in both mind and body is considered as healthy.  One may have a healthy body, but his mind might be sick. On the contrary, one can have a healthy mind but might have a sick body. Hence the balance between the two is extremely important and if a person with a healthy body has a healthy mind, then that person can be considered as a healthy individual. We are part of a population and community. Hence we all have a responsibility towards making it a healthy community.

Source: simple.wikipedia.org

What is Physical Health?

Physical health tells about the state of our physical body. That how are we maintaining our body. This has nothing to do with the physical appearance, being slim or anything like that. It means that how our physical body is operating.

Whether we are able to perform our regular daily tasks well, whether we are facing any sort of fatigue, pain or are being lethargic in short intervals. Physical health powerfully connects and affects other components of health. For example, if we don’t sleep well, or if we are having an interrupted sleep then the next day we are not able to perform well.

If we are not feeling physically healthy then it affects our mood and confidence level as well. We can adapt certain healthy habits to live a healthy lifestyle. Like being active throughout the day, by eating and drinking a balanced diet, by taking care of hygiene and disease prevention. Our physical health lays a foundation for many important aspects of our life, hence we need to take very good care of our bodies.

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What is Mental Health?

We all have mental health. It is just as important as physical health. Mental health comprises our emotional, psychological and social well being. It affects how we feel, think and act. It also is a determinant of how we handle stress.

Thus, it is very important at every stage of life. It depends upon our genetic makeup and upbringing, Our life circumstances and the stresses we encounter in our life. Some people at some stage may have mental disorders like depression and anxiety.

Later at other stages of life, they may have positive mental health when they feel contented & fulfilled. Our aim should be to have positive mental health where we can reach our full potential and live a satisfying life.

The World Health Organisation (WHO) describes mental health as a state of well being where an individual realizes his full potential, can cope with the stresses in a productive manner and convert it productively and contribute towards the well being of our community.

Being mentally healthy implies that we are able to cope up with difficult times, feel in control, confident and good about ourselves, managing & expressing your emotions and building and maintaining good relationships.

Health specialists say that connecting the dots between food, exercise, and sleep can make a big difference in our health, both mental and physical health. Exercising, eating the right food, nourishing the mind with positive thoughts and healthy companionship.

These habits start in childhood and go ahead with our lives. Then we gradually pass it on to the next generations. Hence, a healthy lifestyle is actually an interlinked chain that is connecting us to our past and future. Let us pledge today to take very good care of our mental and physical health.

Thank you and do take very good care of yourselves.

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Statement from Assistant Secretary for Mental Health and Substance Use Miriam Delphin-Rittmon, Ph.D. on International Overdose Awareness Day

Wednesday, August 28, 2024

This International Overdose Awareness Day, the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) joins people around the world to remember and grieve lives lost to overdose and to reinforce our collective efforts to prevent future deaths. Together, we can save lives.

We are partnering with Tribes, states, territories, and communities to ensure that people at high risk for overdose and those most likely to witness it have as much access to life-saving naloxone and other overdose reversal medications as possible. We are working with these same groups to promote protective factors that make kids less likely to experiment with alcohol, tobacco or other drugs. We are focused on advancing changes to federal regulations that make it easier for providers and patients to make substance use disorder treatment work for them. We’re empowering people with lived experience to offer guidance and support to others along their own journeys. And for the first time, SAMHSA has developed a harm reduction framework that establishes how harm reduction principles can be used to directly prevent overdoses, including funding the distribution of fentanyl and xylazine test strips.

It can be hard to take time to sit with the enormity of loss to overdose, but it is important that we do so. When we come together to remember our loved ones, and share their stories, that weight can be a little bit easier to bear.

Together we can prevent overdose. Together we can care for those in need. Together we can grow our communities of recovery.