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Further proof has been published of an increased number of people self describing themselves as "struggling" or having "poor mental health" with Citizens Advice warning this is a sign of deeper problems being experienced.
The charity has published an insight into work it carried out during 2022, focused on issues around mental health in particular.
Collating data from 2019 onwards, CAG said there were few discernible trends but there was a notable increase in the number of people describing themselves or being described in general terms as having ‘mental health issues’, ‘poor mental health’, ‘struggling mentally’, ‘vulnerable’ or ‘not in a good place’.
Pictured: The full report can be downloaded HERE.
CAG said the most notable increases in people asking for help, while self identifying as struggling with their mental health, involved individuals who said they were suffering from anxiety, low self-esteem, and a lack of confidence. These were all raised in a higher proportion than during the previous three years.
The numbers of people approaching CAG for help while identifying as Bi-polar, schizophrenic, or having a personality disorder were also higher in proportion during 2022 than during the previous three years. CAG says the numbers of cases in this category are generally small.
Cases reporting symptoms such as ‘distressed’, ‘upset’, or ‘emotional’ were proportionately higher than over the past two years too.
Pictured: Citizens Advice Guernsey offers advice across a number of different areas.
The report - published in full HERE - references other local publications regarding mental health and wellbeing, including the Guernsey Mortality Report 2023 which showed an increase in the number of suicides and injuries of undetermined intent over a period of 20 years (2002 to 2021), with a consistent pattern of more cases among males than females.
It also references the Mental Health Strategy, published last year, which focused on ‘building blocks for health' such as stable jobs, good pay, quality and secure housing, education and skills and meaningful community connections.
CAG has already published data this year which shows housing is the area its clients are most in need of help with, along with requests for help in areas concerning work, discrimination, health, and more.
CAG says it is important to note the increase in numbers of people self identifying as struggling with their mental health because poor mental health not only impacts the individual, but it also impacts their families and has wider ramifications for the whole community.
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