Paul Donovan discusses the rising problem of mental health

People work for long periods alone, with often only their anxieties to dwell upon.

The pressures have grown over recent years as making a living has become increasingly more difficult. Suicide among farmers is on the increase.

A recent BBC Countryfile program for Mental Health Awareness Week highlighted the problem. 

One cause of stress was the arrival of inspectors at a farm. There is anxiety before the inspection, then the devastating effect if problems are found.

It became clear that stress and anxiety could be eased if the inspectors were more helpful and didn't deliver brutal news in a punitive, condemnatory way.

Mental health is an increasing challenge in our world today. 

Many people still recovering from the ravages of the Covid years. The growing isolation for many today helps fuel mental health problems. Indeed, it can be argued there is almost a drive towards isolationism in many of how society is developing.

Paul Donovan is concerned about the rise in poor mental health

Returning to the farm inspection example, it seems that there is an increasingly bullying culture in our society.

The role of Ofsted inspectors in schools has been highlighted as another area of bullying. Stress levels and anxiety of staff increase around these regular rituals and there have been suicides linked directly to this process 

These inspections have value but again, they need to be carried out in a more sensitive and supportive manner.

The bullying culture is often so embedded that those involved in the process don't recognise it.

The celebration of the culture is seen amongst political leaders, who constantly talk in macho terms of being strong and tough. The political sphere of course is another area where the bullying culture is rife.

On TV, there are programs like The Apprentice, which appears to be a celebration of bullying management styles.

Things may be changing but the bullying culture needs addressing wherever it is found. 

Huge mental health and other problems are flowing from this brutal way of operating.

Mental health generally needs far more attention and resources directed towards it. 

The present government seems to have real problems recognising there is such a thing as mental illness, let alone remedying it. 

The attitude is to pile on the pressure until people break - the survival of the fittest. 

The problems of mental health are huge and growing. There is the challenge of how society deals with those who have a mental illness but also the causes of that condition. 

We need to become a more caring, supportive society, which means changing many of the structures that help cause the triggers for mental illness. We should be a society that cares rather than walk by on the other side of the road.

• Paul Donovan is Labour councillor for Wanstead Village ward, Redbridge Council and a blogger (paulfdonovan.blogspot.com).