One of the biggest challenges arising from the coronavirus pandemic is that of the deterioration of people’s mental health and wellbeing. This has been a serious issue prior to the pandemic, which has become exacerbated and more pronounced. Depression, anxiety, stress and unfortunately suicide rates have been on the increase. Something has to change!
I propose that the government take a radical approach to try and address this issue. This would involve initially establishing ten ‘Wellbeing Centres’ across the UK that each could host 1000 participants at a time. The Centres would be located in scenic, relaxing countryside locations. The sites would consist of a main Wellbeing Centre building, along with 100 lodge cabins that could house 10 people in each. The main Wellbeing Centre essentially would be an ‘educational centre’ in which ‘therapies’ such as yoga, meditation, exercise, nutrition classes, talking therapies – along with rehabilitation services are undertaken. Guests would be able to reside in the lodge cabins and in their own time take in the relaxing countryside environment. This idea is an opportunity to re-frame and address why the guests are struggling with their mental health and wellbeing.
Since this idea is one of genuinely making a difference to society, it would involve asking stake-holders to give back and thus reducing costs and increasing viability. I have spoken to a landowner local to me in Nottinghamshire who would be prepared to support such a philanthropic cause and give 10 acres for a possible East Midlands site. I have also spoken to a contractor that would support in the provision of log cabins. The ethos behind this idea is that it would be a national movement for an alternative approach to a major problem in the UK and getting landowners/contractors/services onboard at either no cost or a fraction of it, since they will be making a difference for a greater cause.
Guests at the Wellbeing Centres would be prescribed a one week stay from health practitioners. People can be referred for health issues such as mental health, obesity, cancer, smoking/drug addiction with longer stays if required. During their stay, trained therapists will aim to assist them specifically with their health issue, whilst also introducing them to alternate therapies/practices that can bring wellbeing to their lives. One of the key benefits of the above proposal is that it would assist in solving health issues across the country and therefore reduce the burden on the NHS frontline and other public services. The idea is to empower individuals to truly understand the root of any health issue and to understand how they can better not only their own lives, but those around them – thus having an overall positive impact on UK society. The Centres will enshrine within guests the concept of ‘paying it forward’ and thus from their stay at a Centre – creating a positive multiplier effect throughout society. The Centres between them would be able to accommodate approximately 500,000 guests per year – thus alleviating the enormous current pressure on the NHS and other services.
The Centres could also provide the facilities for ‘mass wellbeing training’. For example, teachers could be trained in practices such as yoga/meditation/mindfulness/nutrition/alternative therapies that can then be rolled out in school curriculums. The Centres could also serve as an ‘educational top up’ for university medics on alternative approaches that are already proven to be working across the world. Also there is the opportunity for school camps. I truly believe that we need an alternative approach to not only mental health, but wellbeing in general – one that addresses the root cause of illness and gives practical ways to address them, rather than what is often a reactionary approach in Western medicine, often involving a cyclical reliance on medication. I have direct personal experience in the aforementioned and would be happy to share further.
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