Obesity is a worldwide epidemic. And the facts from the World Health Organisation (WHO) made for sobering reading;

What is obesity?

Obesity in adults is defined as someone over the age of 18 who has a BMI equal to or greater than 30. Overweight people have a BMI greater or equal to 25. For children, the definition is slightly more complex with age taken into accounts and other factors too.

someone cutting up vegertables

For many years, we have been advised to eat five portions of different coloured fruit and veg a week, but early on in 2017, we were told that this should be doubled.

On the face of it, the problem seems obvious – eat too much, exercise too little and being overweight becomes an issue. Obesity is a step on from being overweight whereby someone who, even though they understand the effect of too much food and not enough exercise, continues to pile on the pounds. Doctors are becoming increasingly aware of the importance of treating obesity, with preventive measures forming a significant portion of the UK medical licensing assessment.

So, if we understand the problem, why don’t we do the obvious? Eat less and exercise more. But, experts say it is not quite as simple as this.

We can all testify how much the shape of people’s lives has changed in recent years. At one time, families sat down to eat meals together around a table.

The invention of convenience meals and microwave ovens led to quick suppers. With the advent of the digital age, as well as changing working patterns, the sit-down family meal has become a rarity in some households during the working week.

Many experts believe that we no longer concentrate on our food. We no longer savour it like we once did.

Some experts take the argument one step further. Although they don’t lay the blame of obesity at the feet of the invention of television, there is no doubt that as television has morphed from three channels broadcasting for eight hours a day to multi-channels, 24 hours a day, the activity levels of adults and children have decreased.

American nutritionists believe that there is a direct correlation – as we watch more television, we get fatter.

Add to this the digital age, the laptops, the tablets, the PCs, the gaming consoles and so on, children and adults are becoming even more sedentary.

Our activity levels have been described as ‘shockingly low’, but levels have not changed for the better.

What to eat, how much to eat, what not to eat – there seems to be a cacophony of guidelines that some people say they are confused by. For many years, we have been advised to eat five portions of different coloured fruit and veg a week, but early on in 2017, we were told that this should be doubled.

no sofa sign

Our activity levels have been described as ‘shockingly low’.

There were thoughts that maybe obesity could be a genetic issue. There is still much debate around the issue but in most cases, being overweight and obese is not a genetic issue. Perhaps, it is more a case of eating habits firmly entrenched in families?

Nutritionists point out what they think is the main problem – lack of restraint.

Rather than this being a lack of personal willpower – although that does play a part – they point out that the availability of different kinds of foods amounts to a ‘food carnival’.

There is also the question of poverty and cost. Buying processed foods, from pre-made burgers to biscuits, can be cheaper than buying fruit and veg.

No easy answer

Although the solutions seem obvious, the scale of obesity continues to shock and horrify us – and yet, there is no sign of obesity rates slowing, let alone being reversed.

We all have our part to play but for health professionals, being skilled and knowledgeable in informing and educating people is a key role in preventing obesity.

Healthcare assistant courses deal in detail with nutrition, along with current advice that many people are given to help with being overweight or obese. But unless there are significant changes, the cases of obesity in adults and children will continue to increase.

 

Mental health is no longer hidden and no longer that people should be embarrassed about. Attitudes have changed enormously in the few years towards people with mental health issues, as well as understanding of the best kinds of care and treatment needed.

There is still a long way to go in so many ways before we can truly understand the depth of mental health issues. In the meantime, more people are willing to learn and thus, are looking at how to become a mental health worker.

There are many avenues that make up this diverse career path but those that have chosen to become mental health workers, find it a diverse and fulfilling career.

What is involved in being a mental health support worker?
Up until recent times, people with mental health issues were institutionalised and looked after in hospitals and residential clinics etc. Today people with issues and illnesses will live in the community, either assisted in independent living or at home, with family.

Adjusting to life when there is a mental health issue prevalent can be difficult. The world around can seem a confusing, unfriendly place. Having someone work with them, to support and enable them is important – and this is where the role of mental health support worker comes in.

Working in partnership
As you learn how to become a mental health worker, you will soon see that you are required to do a number of things:

a-road-map-to-becoming-a-mental-health-worker

more and more people are willing to learn and thus, are looking at how to become a mental health worker.

Experience and qualifications
Qualifications for mental health worker roles vary from one setting and employer to another. It pays to check the job description for any specific qualifications needed.

You will need to show that you have a high level of numeracy and literacy. As you support your client, you will be expected to keep detailed records of activities or any appointments you attended. You may also be expected to write a report on a regular basis, providing an objective assessment of how well your client is doing, along with any additional help they may need.

The Level 3 Preparing for Work in the Care Sector or similar course is an excellent way of acquiring knowledge and skills needed to underpin the basics of working in this kind of role.

Many people also look to complete similar courses in Health and Social Care, another excellent way of showing potential employers that you have a basic understanding and idea of what the role entails, and what the challenges could be.

Skills and attitudes
There is no doubt, however, that in looking at how to be a mental health worker that offers the support and guidance needed comes down to ‘soft skills’. These are the skills that are inherent in people, they personality and attitudes towards life, people and in this case, mental health illnesses.

You need to be able to:

There are various mental health courses that will equip you with the basic skills needed but also specialist ones too. With 1 in 4 people suffering from mental health illnesses, the role of support worker is on that is increasingly needed.