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World Mental Health Day falls on 10th October 2017 and local Life Therapist, Julie Dryburgh, is looking to raise awareness, reduce stigma and ensure that people with mental health problems can live without prejudice.
One in four adults and one in ten young people are likely to have a mental health problem at some stage[i]. This can have a profound impact on many lives and can affect the ability to sustain relationships and work, or just get through the day. Despite the frequency and common nature of mental health problems, Julie Dryburgh has recognised that there is a historic stigma attached to mental health issues, which has led to a demand for the range of alternative therapies she offers in her role as a Life Therapist.
The recent Jersey Mental Health Services Review found that more than a third of people would not want people knowing if they had a mental health problem[ii]. The stigma related to mental health remains an issue in society whilst the number of mental health sufferers continues to grow. The 2016 Jersey Health Profile report showed Jersey residents have higher anxiety scores than counterparts in the UK and more young people in Jersey are reporting low levels of self-esteem[iii]. Making headlines in March 2017, it was also revealed that both the number of patients and the number of prescriptions for antidepressants in Jersey rose by a staggering 48 percent between 2010 and 2016
With an increasing number of people who seem to be suffering in silence, Julie Dryburgh is working to portray mental health in a different light. She uses her expertise as a Life Therapist to address the physical, mental and emotional issues affecting the body. Her techniques address mental health problems as every-day imbalances, such as stress, anxiety and depression, which impact all aspects of a person’s life. Life Therapy is designed to expose the areas in life that are out of balance. To help rebalance the physical, mental and emotional levels in the body, Julie Dryburgh uses a range of therapies such as Talking Therapy and alternative treatments. By offering these therapies, that are an alternative to prescription medicine, Julie Dryburgh gives people the tools and understanding on how to overcome imbalances and gain a stable mental health outlook.
Julie Dryburgh, Life Therapist at Align Health Agency says:
‘In the last six months, I have seen a drastic increase in the number of people coming to me for help with mental health problems. I find there is a stigma towards the wording ‘Mental Health’ and people do not wish to be known as having a mental health problem because of what others might think. But the truth is that mental health can simply relate to our every-day emotional and physical state. It should not mean that you have to suffer in silence.
I offer a range of alternative therapies that help my clients rebalance their physical, mental and emotional levels. This allows them to gain an equilibrium within all aspects of their lives, improving their mental health state.’
