There is currently another pandemic in the world, affecting the mental health of many people of all ages. The charity MIND claims that 1 in 6 people report experiencing a common mental health problem (like anxiety and depression) in any given week in England. I have heard school-age children saying they are stressed; it has almost become the norm that we get stressed…
The key is to provide education and empowerment to everyone before mental ill health becomes an issue. We teach children to take care of physical aspects such as nutrition and exercise. We visit dentists and opticians to maintain healthy teeth and eyesight. When I visit my dentist, they show me how to take care of my teeth and maintain a healthy oral environment. Therefore, I only need a check-up every 6 months, and rarely do I need further intervention. It is the same with our mental health and the SEJ; teaching and assisting with mental health is important. However, just like the dentist, showing students how to take care of their own mental health will surely mean fewer visits to the external agencies and the need for intervention. Giving them the tools to maintain their own wellbeing without the need to rely on others is surely more empowering and long-lasting.
The success of integrating the SEJ Process as a professional and academic skill in university courses is invaluable. Not only because of the need to address their state of mental health and provide successful prevention training but also because it enables the student to acquire a lifelong transferrable skill, which they can take beyond their university life into employment.
The time to just talk about mental health is over; now is the time to empower and equip our young people, providing prevention through this life-enhancing tool. The SEJ Process is a simple, easy to learn process anyone can learn easily and apply immediately after they have learnt it. It helps an individual spot the signs of mental distress and illness and addresses the problems before they become overwhelming to the individual, and the need for external help arises. I invite you to join me in providing the SEJ as a powerful, empowering tool to keep our mental health in tip-top condition so this pandemic will become a thing of the past.
Dr M Howard-Kishi
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