We must work together to improve mental health

Look to your left. Look to your right. Think of your friends, children’s friends, and neighbours. Think of your loved ones. It’s likely that someone you know has or will confront a mental health related issue. Indeed, concerns around mental health pose a challenge to our community and to the wider British society.

We live in a competitive world in which social, academic, and economic pressures, family tensions, popular culture and a focus on physical appearance burden us all. As the father of four teenage and adult children, I have seen this up close. We all have. The effect of smartphones and social media on their generation cannot be underestimated. Their social lives, academic grades, and physical image are publicly critiqued daily on Snapchat, Instagram and Facebook and “likes” have become a sign of success. We are all constantly online and neither the home nor schools are as safe as they once were. Mental health related issues have undoubtedly increased in our community.

On average, three children in every school class struggle with their mental health and research shows that youngsters’ emotional health is the most important indicator of life satisfaction and personal outcomes in adulthood. Anxiety, depression and other mental health issues can affect anyone, and children with such issues affect the entire family. Thankfully, schools and universities recognise this challenge, and are working with children, parents, teachers and professionals to address the problem. If a child can be helped, the whole family is helped.

At the Jewish Leadership Council, we are working collaboratively to address this issue. We have convened a task force with key organisations and professionals to map existing services, identify gaps in provision; and offer a comprehensive communal approach.