I am writing this article as I am seeing more children and more adults suffering with mental health problems, especially anxiety with depression.

I have been a GP for 20 years and even 10 years ago I rarely saw a child over the age of 10 suffering with mental health issues.

Now I regularly see children, especially teenagers, and many more adults with severe anxiety with or without depression.

Some days I have seen four or five patients with mental health problems which can be, and usually is, mentally exhausting.

As access to GPs and mental health services is not easy, I do hope this article will help people who are suffering mentally and need urgent help.

If you need counselling, you can ring chairites Insight on 0300 555 555 or Mind on 01322 291380.

If you need urgent help call the single point of access on 0300 222 0123. If your child needs mental health support call 0300 123 4496.

Kent County Council offers urgent mental health help - call 0800 1070160.

Samaritans can be contacted on your mobile for free. Call 116 123.

There are numerous reasons why mental health is becoming a problem.

These include the pressures of society, loneliness, drug and alcohol addiction, financial worries, bereavement, trauma and social media, but let’s talk about what a GP can offer you.

"If anxiety is a major problem, coffee, smoking, asthma inhalers will all increase your heart rate and can make anxiety worse." - Dr Manpinder Sahota

When you see your GP, they can offer you three options - counselling, anti-depressant/anxiety drugs and referral to the mental health team.

But you should also request a blood test for Vitamin D, Vitamin B12, full blood count and thyroid function tests.

If you also have bodily aches/pains with your low mood then inflammatory markers (esr,crp) should also be done.

Antidepressant/anxiety medication can lift your mood within two to four weeks.

The most common side effect is nausea, but this should go if you can continue to take the medication.

Be aware that being on drugs like sertraline, citalopram and venlafaxine long-term can cause stomach issues and you may need to take an antacid.

They are not addictive, but I do recommend you come off them gradually.

Most people with a first episode of depression or anxiety will stay on these drugs for three to six months.

"We do need more mental health service provision and so many people are under a lot of mental pressure." - Dr Manpinder Sahota

Those with recurrent depression/anxiety may need to stay on them for a few years or even longer.

St John’s Wort is a mild herbal anti-depressant which does work but you must check it does not interact with any other medications you are taking (ask your pharmacist). There is a big gut brain connection which can affect your mood.

Taking probiotics may help improve your mood especially if you have gut issues.

A good combination I suggest is kefir with bimuno. Do try to remove processed foods from your diet and focus on real food like a Mediterranean diet.

If anxiety is a major problem, coffee, smoking, asthma inhalers will all increase your heart rate and can make anxiety worse.

If palpitations and panic attacks occur, beta blockers can really help. I have written an article on non-drug approaches to mental health.

I have suffered with mild anxiety which has affected my colitis in the past. I have used acupuncture, exercise and nature walks to tackle my stress levels.

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