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Did you know that today is World Mental Health day?

Every year on the 10th October, the World Health Organistion recognises World Mental Health day to highlight and raise awareness for mental health across the world.

This year has been another tough year for many, particularly with the effects of Covid-19. It has affected businesses, homes, and individuals in all sorts of situations.

Due to the pandemic, a lot of people have been left without medical care, or have had to have their medical care pushed to the back of the line whilst front-line healthcare professionals deal with the influx of patients suffering life-threatening symptoms of the virus. This in turn has left a lot of people vulnerable, and has had a drastic effect on their mental health.

While the virus hasn't been the only effect of mental health, it has certainly played a huge factor over the course of these two years.

This year's theme for WMD is free healthcare. While the UK has access to free healthcare, other countries are not so lucky. In fact, some countries don't have access to any healthcare at all. I'm grateful to the fact I have access to free healthcare. Due to my job, I meet with a number of healthcare professionals who use the gym as a way of relaxing and helping to relieve stress from their busy week dealing with all kinds of patients. While they're busy helping others, I'm busy helping them have someone they can go to and improve both their physical, and mental wellbeing.

While this year the pandemic affected me during the first 5 months of the year, I'm thankful that so far, I have been in a better position and it hasn't taken too much of a toll on me. Others however, have not been so lucky.

Have you been affected by Covid-19 in some way this year? Do you have access to free healthcare? If no, does it cost you much? What are your views on your local healthcare at the moment?

If you're looking for more information on World Mental Health Day, you can find a couple of links here:

Mental Health UK

World Health Organisation WMD 2021