speech on poor health begins in the mind

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The path to wellness -- and equality -- begins with you. Enjoy these illuminating talks at the intersection of justice and personal health to get motivated in creating a better society for everyone.

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Speech on Importance Of Health

Health is your greatest wealth, so taking care of it should be a top priority. It’s the foundation of a happy, fulfilling life. The decisions you make today can greatly impact your future wellbeing.

A healthy body is like a well-oiled machine, ready to face any challenge. So, don’t underestimate the power of good health. It’s the key to unlocking a life full of potential and possibilities.

1-minute Speech on Importance Of Health

Ladies and Gentlemen,

Good health is a priceless treasure. It is like an invisible crown that only the sick can see. Have you ever thought about why we need to be healthy? Let me explain.

First, good health helps our bodies work right. It’s like a well-oiled machine. When we are healthy, we can run, jump, and play without getting tired too fast. Our hearts pump blood, our lungs breathe in air, and our muscles move smoothly. It’s wonderful!

Second, being healthy lets us use our brains better. You know how you feel sleepy when you are sick? That’s because your body is using all its energy to fight off the disease. When we are healthy, we can think clearly, learn new things, and solve tough problems.

Third, good health allows us to enjoy life more. We can taste delicious food, see beautiful sights, hear lovely sounds, and touch and smell wonderful things. But when we are sick, everything seems dull and gray.

Lastly, being healthy means we can help others. We can care for our family, friends, and even pets. We can make a difference in the world.

So, how do we stay healthy? It’s simple. Eat a variety of foods from all the food groups. Drink lots of water. Exercise every day. Get enough sleep. And always remember to wash your hands.

In conclusion, health is life’s biggest wealth. Without it, nothing else matters. We should always strive to stay healthy. Let’s promise ourselves today to take good care of our health. Remember, a healthy body houses a healthy mind, and a healthy mind can conquer the world. Let’s be healthy and conquer our dreams!

Thank you for listening.

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Essay on Importance Of Health

2-minute Speech on Importance Of Health

Good day! Today, we’re here to talk about a very important topic, which is the importance of health. It’s something we all need to understand and value.

First, let’s think about what health is. Health isn’t just about not being sick. Health is about feeling good, inside and out. It’s about having energy to play and learn. It’s about being able to do all the things you love.

Health is like a superpower. When you’re healthy, you can run fast, jump high, and think clearly. You can play with your friends, study for your exams, and help your family. A healthy body helps you do all these things. But it’s not just about your body. It’s also about your mind. A healthy mind means you’re happy, calm, and able to solve problems.

So, how do we get this superpower? It’s not as hard as you might think. Eating good food is one of the best ways. This means fruits, vegetables, grains, and proteins. It’s like fuel for your body. It keeps your body strong and your mind sharp.

Exercise is another way. When you run, jump, dance, or play, you’re making your body stronger. You’re also making your mind stronger. Exercise helps you feel happy and think clearly. So, get out there and play!

Sleep is also very important. When you sleep, your body and mind rest and recharge. It’s like giving your body a tune-up every night. So, make sure you’re getting enough sleep every night.

But health isn’t just about you. It’s about everyone around you too. When you’re healthy, you’re able to help others. You can help your family, your friends, and your community.

In conclusion, health is a superpower. It helps us to do all the things we love. It helps us to be happy and to think clearly. It helps us to help others. So, let’s all try to be as healthy as we can. Let’s eat good food, get plenty of exercise, and get enough sleep. Because health is the most important thing we have.

Thank you for listening. Let’s all be superheroes and keep our health in check!

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Health and wellness starts from the mind

Good health starts from the mind. As cliché as this sounds, your mind and emotional state can have a profound effect on your physical body, your spiritual experience, and your over-all quality of life. People experience a variety of emotions that either have a positive or negative effect within the body. These emotions may include: happiness, sadness, anger, excitement, depression etc.

Feelings and thoughts are associated with specific parts of the body and may be linked to different illnesses or ailments. Those who have good emotional health are often mindful of their thoughts and feelings and have cultivated habits and ways of coping with stressors they experience daily in their lives. Chemicals released within the body cause individuals to experience a variety of emotions. For example, when serotonin is released in the body, a happy feeling is experienced.

Similarly, emotions can cause the body to experience physical reactions. For example, if an individual feels nervous or anxious, the feeling may be observed in their stomach which is commonly described as “butterflies”. Even if an individual has developed these coping mechanisms, some life event (positive and negative) can disrupt an individual’s emotional health and their ability to deal with stress. The death of a loved one, the loss of a job, and money problems may cause an individual to experience strong feelings of sadness, stress, and anxiety.

The body responds to thoughts and feelings and as a result of poor emotional health, it may bring about a variety of physical signs and symptoms such as: Weight gain or loss, back pain, chest pain, headache, sweating, insomnia, constipation, lack of appetite, voracious eating, and extreme general fatigue. These are enhancing factors of poor emotional health and can make individuals more prone to diseases and illnesses. The reason is that, they will be less likely to eat healthy meals, exercise or take their prescribed medication. They may also be more likely to abuse drugs and alcohol which worsens their state of mind and subsequently, their physical health. On the other hand, good emotional health can broaden the perspective of an individual and build resilience to negative emotional experiences over time. According to research, a good emotional state of being has benefits for both physical and mental health which includes: better sleep, fewer illnesses, faster recovery from stress, and an overall better sense of happiness.

Tips on how to improve and maintain good emotional health. Here are a few tips on how to improve and maintain good emotional health:

• Learn to identify your emotional triggers. The emotional health of a person can be improved by the person learning to identify what triggers his /her emotional responses. The moment these triggers are spot on, the easier it becomes to control and manage the emotional health successfully.

• Take out time to relax. It is very important take out time to relax and free your mind from the very numerous worries and hustles of this world. Go on vacations, go to the movies or a soothing musical concert, go to the spa for a massage, take yoga classes e.t.c. Basically, make sure you relax.

• Focus on positive experiences. Focusing exclusively on problems at work, school, or home can cause an individual to overemphasize negative feelings more often. There is actually no way to completely avoid negative feelings; however, they can be managed and properly addressed. It is important to focus on positive experiences and feelings when negative feelings begin to get in the way. Identify hobbies and activities that you enjoy and would distract you from stressors.

• Express emotions appropriately. There are times when your emotions may go beyond control. In such cases, find ways to express those emotions rather than bottling them up and allowing them eat deep within, because the truth is that those stacked up emotions will eventually affect your physical health. Discuss your feelings with a loved one, or seeking counsel from a good counsellor. Ensure to find an outlet for those negative emotions as it will improve your ability to deal with stressors and boost a good mood.

• Cultivate healthy habits. The human mind and body are connected and the condition of either will affect the other. Eating healthy meals, getting enough rest/sleep and exercising regularly can improve one’s emotional health and subsequently one’s physical health. Healthy habits can help expel toxic emotions that may be detrimental to our overall health. Ensure to avoid using drugs and alcohol as shortcuts or coping mechanisms, as these only worsens the overall wellbeing.

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4 Reasons Why Good Health Begins In Your Mind

Published on: January 14, 2014

Filled Under: Blog Articles

Tags: challenges , emotions , healing , health , journey , joy , life , mind , mind body , self awareness , subconscious mind , Thoughts , wellbeing

“It is the mark of an educated mind to be able to entertain a thought without accepting it.” – Aristotle

It seems many people are striving to attain the elixir of life these days, that elusive quality of health and well-being . In the UK, the health and fitness industry is estimated to be worth approximately $7 billion dollars AUD annually. Australia’s industry is not far behind with approximately $2.2 billion AUD dollars. These are massive figures if you consider the percentage of products represented in that amount.

It’s no secret we are being marketed to in a staggering manner, much to the detriment of our hard earned dollars, our pride and sanity. I constantly receive messages from people protesting the misinformation and ambiguity of communication related to diets, nutrition , weight-loss and health.

The purpose of this blog post is to highlight the health aspect many businesses and health practitioners fail to address – good health begins at the level of the mind . What do I mean by this you may quip? Consider how often you may have sabotaged your best intentions to become healthy or lose weight? Besides the financial implication, what was the overriding factor which impeded your ability to succeed? Among willpower, hidden challenges and lack of know-how, the mental discipline remains the biggest obstacle preventing people from attaining lasting health.

In a recent comment to a reader, I suggested she be mindful and guard her conscious thoughts on a regular basis. The subconscious mind is responsible for our autonomic nervous system regulation and is continually listening in on your thoughts. The following points are ways in which you can take command of your thoughts to positively influence your health.

1. Be aware of your predominant thoughts:

What thoughts are you entertaining on a daily basis? What is the nature of your conversations with yourself? Are they self-empowering or self-defeating? Negative thoughts create negative emotions, which relay messages to every cell in your body. If you entertain these thoughts daily, consider the messages your body is receiving.

In order to attain a level of health, you needn’t waste money on potions, formulas and fad diets. Instead, we need to stop the negative, internal chatter and replace it with empowering thoughts. If you simply did this for one year, I assure you that all your health challenges would diminish. But therein lies the challenge – taming our thoughts remains one of the toughest hurdles and it seems no one is prepared to do the work.

2. Don’t create a dialogue around those thoughts:

As you notice disempowering thoughts, refuse to allow them energy by creating a dialogue around them. Many people believe since they are having a thought, it must be true. I mentioned in a previous article that we entertain approximately 70,000 – 80,000 thoughts per day. Approximately 77% of those thoughts are negative in nature. I alluded to this in a recent blog post, Accept Yourself As You Are .

That means if you entertain an average of 75,000 thoughts a day, at least 57,750 of those thoughts are bound to be negative! It is no surprise that we experience life challenges relating to ill-health, unhealthy relationships and poor finances. We are our worst enemy.

When you recognise a negative thought about your body, acknowledging it is the first step in drawing your awareness to it. Otherwise it may turn into a runaway thought which you accept as normal. Once you’ve identified the negative thought ask yourself, what do I want? List the qualities that you like about yourself and draw your attention toward feeling good about your body – I’ll say it again, your cells are always listening .

I do this on a regular basis, so I am aware of my thoughts and the emotions which drive them. My inner dialogue might be similar to the following: “ Thank you legs for the amazing bike ride this morning and getting me over those big hills with ease. I love the feeling of having powerful and strong legs, especially when exercising. Thank you stomach for digesting the wonderful food which nourishes every cell in my body with life giving energy.”

3. Meditate or go into regular silence:

There are many reasons and benefits of meditation. The most important one is connected to silence allows the mind to rest. Instead of using valuable energy processing thoughts day in day out, a simple break of 10 -15 minutes daily is enough to allow the mind to take a mini vacation.

The more you allow your mind to rest, the more peace and joy will emanate from your being. You are peace and joy – this is your default setting at birth. Let go of those needless thoughts and simply relax into your own beingness. Your body has a wisdom of its own and knows what it needs to thrive and sustain life – create a conducive environment for it to do so and assuredly health will follow.

4. Be aware of your emotional constitution:

What is the nature of your emotions? Are you a worrier or someone who is overcome with anxiety and stress at times? What effects do these toxic emotions have on your body? Tension in the stomach, neck, upper back, headache, insomnia, irritability etc. These are all signs of thoughts and emotions out of balance with your inner nature.

Being attentive to your emotional constitution means you are aware (mindful) of your inner emotional landscape. This allows you to navigate the torrents of negative emotions as they arise, so they don’t envelop you. Knowing in advance that you are susceptible to anxiety attacks and being powerless to take action may be self-defeating. Having a plan to deal with them allows you to be in control so it doesn’t spiral out of control.

Unlock your full potential with my FREE eBook, NAVIGATE LIFE . Packed with 39 key lessons and 109 pages of quality content, this guide will help you awaken your greatness. Download now!

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100 Mental Health Persuasive Speech Topics to Engage Your Audience

Standing in front of an audience can send shivers down the spine of even the bravest among us. Trust me, I’ve walked that tightrope, scouring for that one topic that not only resonates but also holds the power to captivate.

From digging through research to leaning on my own experiences, I’ve pieced together a list of 100 mental health persuasive speech topics intended to ignite engagement and spark action .

These carefully chosen themes touch on everything from the depths of anxiety and depression to how our daily scrolls through social media affect our mental state. So, are you ready to dive into the world of persuasive speaking with me?

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

Persuasive speeches aim to change the audience’s views or actions, making them impactful for discussing mental health issues.
Crafting a persuasive speech on mental health topics requires understanding structure, engaging storytelling, and using emotional connections to influence the audience.
Mental health persuasive speech topics can touch on seeking help, stigmatization, effects of social media, and workplace well-being.
Sharing personal stories or experiences can make a strong emotional bond with the audience, driving home the importance of addressing mental health concerns.
Preparing and delivering speeches on sensitive subjects like mental health must be done carefully to avoid triggering language while fostering empathy and awareness.

Understanding Persuasive Speeches

Understanding Persuasive Speeches:

Persuasive speeches aim to influence the audience’s beliefs and actions.

They follow a structured format and use emotional appeal to sway opinions.

A persuasive speech is something I learned to craft and refine over the years. It’s a talk meant to convince listeners about a specific point or action. At its core, it should make your audience see things from your perspective, often prompting them to change their beliefs or undertake an action.

My journey in mastering public speaking taught me that the structure of these speeches plays a huge role. They usually start with an introduction that hooks the listener, followed by the body where arguments are laid out clearly and supported by evidence.

Finally, they end with a strong conclusion that reinforces the main points made throughout the speech. As someone who once dreaded standing in front of an audience, understanding this framework was crucial for engaging my listeners on topics like mental health awareness and psychological wellbeing.

When delivering a persuasive speech, it’s vital to follow a clear structure . This involves organizing your speech into three main parts: introduction, body, and conclusion . For the introduction , grab the audience’s attention with a compelling opening statement or question about mental health.

Then provide an overview of what you’ll be discussing. In the body of your speech, present your key points persuasively and logically using evidence and examples related to mental health issues .

Break down each point clearly to make it easy for the audience to understand and connect with your message. Finally, in the conclusion, sum up your main arguments and leave the audience with a call to action that motivates them to consider their own attitudes towards mental health.

In my experience as someone who overcame public speaking anxiety through deliberate practice and learning effective speaking techniques at Toastmasters International , following this structure has proven crucial in delivering impactful speeches on topics like mental health advocacy.

Tips for Delivering a Persuasive Speech

Engage your audience by making eye contact and using inclusive language. Use emotion to connect with your listeners and make your argument compelling.

Engaging your audience

When engaging your audience, it’s crucial to connect with them from the start. Share personal stories or ask thought-provoking questions related to mental health. Use eye contact and body language to show confidence and build rapport with the listeners.

Engage the audience by using relatable examples and speaking directly to their emotions, making them feel invested in the topic.

By maintaining a conversational tone and addressing common concerns about mental health , you can keep your audience interested throughout your persuasive speech. This can create a supportive environment for discussing mental health issues openly and encourage active participation from the listeners.

Using emotion

When delivering a persuasive speech, using emotion can make your audience connect to the topic. As I learned in my public speaking journey, sharing personal stories or experiences can evoke feelings of empathy and understanding.

For instance, recounting a real-life struggle with mental health can help the audience resonate with the importance of seeking help or understanding mental illness stigma . By tapping into emotions, you can effectively convey the urgency and significance of addressing mental health issues, prompting your audience to take action and seek change.

Emotion is a powerful tool that I have seen work wonders in persuasive speeches. When discussing mental health topics such as stress management techniques or providing emotional support, incorporating genuine emotion can captivate and motivate your listeners.

Creating a strong argument

When crafting a persuasive speech, it’s crucial to build a compelling argument . This involves presenting clear and convincing points to support your stance on the mental health issue you’re addressing.

Use factual evidence, statistics, and real-life examples to strengthen your argument. By incorporating personal experiences or stories , you can make your case more relatable and impactful for the audience.

It’s important to anticipate counterarguments and address them with logical reasoning and rebuttals , showcasing a thorough understanding of the topic. Engage your audience by speaking confidently and passionately about the subject matter, encouraging them to see things from your perspective.

Mental Health Persuasive Speech Topics

Delivering persuasive speeches about mental health. Engaging topics for public speaking beginners.

Importance of seeking help

Seeking help for mental health issues is crucial. The right support can make a significant difference. You don’t have to navigate challenges on your own, and seeking help shows strength, not weakness .

I know from my own experience that seeking help can lead to positive change .

The article emphasizes the importance of choosing a good persuasive speech topic to effectively engage the audience. It encourages speakers to consider the impact and relevance of their chosen mental health topic.

Mental health stigmatization

When discussing mental health stigmatization , it’s crucial to understand the impact of negative attitudes and beliefs towards individuals with mental health conditions. It is estimated that about 1 in 5 adults in the United States experience mental illness each year, yet due to stigma, many may feel reluctant to seek help .

In my personal experience, I have seen how stigma can prevent people from talking openly about their struggles or seeking treatment. This topic is essential for raising awareness and challenging misconceptions surrounding mental health.

Effects of social media on mental health

The use of social media can impact mental health in various ways, influencing self-esteem and body image among teens and adults. It has been linked to increased feelings of anxiety, depression, and loneliness .

Research shows that excessive time spent on social media is associated with poorer mental well-being . This highlights the importance of understanding the effects of social media on mental health.

Now, let’s discuss the next topic – “Mental health in the workplace environment.”

Mental health in the workplace environment

Transitioning from the impact of social media on mental health, we need to address mental health in the workplace environment. As a public speaking beginner, I understand that addressing mental health issues in the workplace can be challenging, but it’s crucial.

According to research, about 1 in 5 adults experience mental illness each year, and many of them are part of the workforce . It’s essential for employers and employees alike to recognize the significance of mental well-being at work.

As someone who has navigated through public speaking challenges and their impact on my own mental health, I know firsthand how important it is to promote a positive work environment that supports employees’ emotional and psychological well-being.

Creating awareness about this topic not only benefits individuals but also contributes to healthier workplaces overall.

Writing about mental health in a persuasive way can really make people listen. I found Dr. Emily Thompson, a renowned psychologist with 20 years of experience, to share her thoughts on this topic.

She’s taught at several prestigious universities and has dedicated much of her research to understanding how public speaking can influence attitudes towards mental health.

Dr. Thompson believes that the list of 100 Mental Health Persuasive Speech Topics is a powerful tool for raising awareness . She points out that these topics cover essential issues, from stigmatization to therapy options, making them perfect for engaging an audience deeply and emotionally .

She emphasizes the importance of tackling these speeches ethically and transparently, considering their sensitive nature. According to Dr. Thompson, speakers should always respect their audience’s experiences and avoid triggering language.

In daily life or educational settings, Dr. Thompson suggests using these topics as conversation starters or as part of a curriculum designed to foster empathy and understanding around mental health issues.

While she sees many advantages in using persuasive speech for mental health advocacy, she notes some drawbacks too. If not handled carefully, discussing such personal subjects publicly may risk oversimplification or could inadvertently stigmatize certain conditions further.

Despite these potential challenges, Dr. Thompson fully endorses the collection of topics as an effective means for encouraging action and sparking dialogue about mental health care reform .

Taking her insights into account confirms my belief: These persuasive speech topics aren’t just ideas; they are gateways to deeper comprehension and compassion towards those battling psychological disorders.

Ryan Nelson is the founder of Speak2Impress, a platform dedicated to helping individuals master the art of public speaking. Despite having a crippling fear of public speaking for many years, Ryan overcame his anxiety through diligent practice and active participation in Toastmasters. Now residing in New York City, he is passionate about sharing his journey and techniques to empower others to speak with confidence and clarity.

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Poor Body Health May Indicate Poor Mental Health—Experts Discuss Mind-Body Connection

New research found that poor physical health can serve as a strong indicator of poor mental health.
The indication was particularly strong regarding the metabolic, liver, and immune system's correlation to mental well-being.
Experts recommend individuals keep track of physical and mental symptoms to help them better understand the connection between their physical health and mental well-being.

According to new research, poor physical health could be a strong indicator of mental health issues—even stronger than brain scans.

Scientists have long studied the connection between mental well-being and physical well-being. The ability to use one to clarify the other helps healthcare professionals and patients alike.

About 20% of American adults live with mental illness. In a 2021 National Institutes of Health survey, nearly half of all Americans surveyed reported feeling depressed or anxious.

“Paying attention to the rest of the body that is not the brain is definitely something we need to be doing in psychiatric patients, not just to take care of those patients but to make sure we know what is going on,” John Denninger, MD, PhD , director of integrative science and clinical training at the Benson-Henry Institute for Mind Body Medicine at Massachusetts General Hospital, told Health .

Getty Images / Kathrin Ziegler

What the Research Says

To expand the growing body of research on how mental and physical health are closely linked, researchers in Australia used data banks of adults in the U.S., U.K., and Australia.

The study compared nearly 86,000 people with psychiatric disorders to about the same number of people who did not. The psychiatric disorders ranged from neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia and bipolar disorder , to depression and generalized anxiety disorder.

The team used a combination of markers found in blood, urine, and other samples that correlated with the function of seven different body systems: lungs, musculoskeletal, kidney, metabolic, liver, cardiovascular, and immune systems. They also used data from MRI brain scans. Armed with this information, the researchers divided people into different groups based on the quality of their physical health.

The data revealed that poor physical health, particularly when it involved the metabolic, liver, or immune system, was a better indication of poor mental health than brain changes that show up on an MRI.

The study’s lead author, Ye Ella Tian, MBBS, PhD, a Mary Lugton Postdoc Research Fellow at the University of Melbourne’s Melbourne Neuropsychiatry Centre in Australia, noted that her team was surprised by the findings.

“Mental illnesses are typically understood as disorders of the brain,” she explained. The results of the new study did not suggest this understanding is incorrect, but did “indicate that poor body health is also a very important component of mental illness.”

The research was not able to determine whether or not the connection was related to people having a more difficult time taking care of their physical health, if they also were struggling with poor mental health, or if the connection is related to something else. Tian noted that further research will need to examine why poor mental health appeared to be tied specifically to poor liver, immune system, and metabolic health .

For now, “mental health professionals and physicians need to work more closely together to monitor and attend to the physical health of these people, even from very early stages of psychiatric and mental care,” she emphasized.

Deciphering Mental Illness and Physical Illness

While it’s useful to make the distinction between physical illnesses that are related to mental health and those that are not, Tied noted that a clear distinction is questionable.

Scientists are still unraveling many mysteries of the brain, including the influence a person’s thoughts and mental state have on their physical body. According to Dr. Denninger, the concept of mind-body connection is a bit of a false dichotomy since the brain is part of the body.

“We benefit ourselves when we recognize that the brain and the rest of the body is one system,” he explained. “It gets rid of some of these problems with trying to determine: Is it in the brain or in the body?”

Tian suspects the relationship between mental health and physical health is both complex and bidirectional, meaning physical health and mental health affect each other.

Past research has documented how mental illnesses such as anxiety can create a feedback loop with a wide range of physical symptoms, such as stomach aches, dizziness, or chest pain. Because of this, people with psychiatric conditions may not get diagnosed with physical illness in the same ways that healthcare providers diagnose people without the conditions.

“It’s not unusual for people who have a psychiatric illness for everything to be prescribed to the mental illness, so many ailments get missed,” noted Dr. Denninger.

So how can you determine which physical conditions are caused by a poor mental state?

“My glib answer to that is you can’t,” Dr. Denninger stressed. “These things are so closely intertwined that it’s very difficult to tell what’s being caused by the brain and what is being caused by the body. It’s a complex system...anytime we have something going on in our bodies, our brain plays a role.”

The important thing to understand is that it’s vital for people treating patients with psychiatric conditions to also enable people to take care of their physical health and address associated concerns.

“We know that mental illness is associated with reduced life expectancy,” added Tian. “And the majority of deaths in people with mental illness relates to poor physical health.”

Tracking Symptoms of Mental and Physical Ailments

While it’s difficult to draw a line between mental and physical ailments, Dr. Denninger recommended keeping a log of symptoms, both physical and mental (or emotional), to better understand what may be triggering a physical symptom.

For example, does a person tend to get sick more often when they are experiencing poor mental health, or does it seem to be unrelated?

“The big mystery about the mind-body connection is not the fact that there is a connection, but understanding for all these disorders,” he stressed. “What is the path from what happens in our brains to what we perceive in our bodies?”

Tian YE, Di Biase MA, Mosley PE, et al. Evaluation of brain-body health in individuals with common neuropsychiatric disorders . JAMA Psychiatry . Published online April 26, 2023. doi:10.1001/jamapsychiatry.2023.0791

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. About mental health .

NIH COVID-19 Research. Mental health .

Anxiety and Depression Association of America. Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) .

Ilyas A, Chesney E, Patel R. Improving life expectancy in people with serious mental illness: should we place more emphasis on primary prevention? Br J Psychiatry . 2017;211(4):194-197. doi:10.1192/bjp.bp.117.203240

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The White House 1600 Pennsylvania Ave NW Washington, DC 20500

Remarks by President Biden on Expanding Access to Mental Health Care

3:22 P.M. EDT THE PRESIDENT: Please, have a seat. Richele, thank you for that introduction and the courage it takes to stand up on national television in front of all these people and tell your story. But your story is the story of millions of people all across the country. And, you know, one of the things that the pandemic demonstrated is the need for a lot more help. Over a million people dead from COVID. And that’s estimated to mean 8 million people left behind who were close to them. How many mornings people get up or show up for dinner and there’s an empty chair? The impact on people’s lives is profound. But — and you were paying insurance every month. You know, you shouldn’t be your own — well, you shouldn’t have to do what you had to do, going through one of the hardest things in life. And, by the way, Debbie, Debbie, Debbie — God love you. (Laughter.) You’re the best, Debbie. You really are. We wouldn’t be here were it not for Debbie, and that’s not a — that’s not an exaggeration. (Applause.) We served together for a long time in the Senate, and I’ve never known you not to be a significant advocate for this very issue. And I want to thank Acting Secretary Su and everyone at the Department of Labor and HHS and Treasury for working to improve insurance coverage for mental health care in America. And, folks, you know, I don’t know what the difference between breaking your arm and having a mental breakdown is. It’s health. There is no distinction. It’s health. Vivek Murthy, who is our Surgeon General, and I talk about this issue a lot. You know, in the last two State of the Union Addresses, I’ve laid out what I call the Unity Agenda. It is made up of four big things to — that we’re going to do together as a nation. One of the things I’m always asked is: You know, why — why Americans have sort of lost faith for a while on being — being able to do big things. “If you could do anything at all, Joe, what would you do?” I said, “I’d cure cancer.” And they looked at me like, “Why cancer?” Because no one thinks we can. That’s why. And we can. We can end cancer as we know it. Deliver on our sacred obligations to veterans is the second thing I think is critically important. Thirdly was beat the opioid epidemic, which we’re still fighting very hard. And fourth was to tackle the mental health crisis, which is why we’re here today. You know, we can all agree mental health care is healthcare. It is healthcare. It’s essential to people’s wellbeing and their ability to lead a full and productive life, to find joy, to find purpose, to take care of themselves and their loved ones. It’s about dignity. Think about this. My dad used to have an expression: Everyone is entitled to be treated with dignity. Imagine being a parent looking at your beautiful child you adore needing help and know you can’t do a damn thing about it because you don’t have the wherewithal. You can’t — talk about stripping a parent of their dignity — their inability to help their child or their husband or their wife or their mother or their father or someone they adore. But, right now, for millions of Americans, mental health care and treatment for substance abuse is out of reach. It’s out of reach. In 2020, less than half — less than half of all adults with mental illness diagnosis received care for it. Less than half. For children the numbers are even worse. Nearly 70 percent of our kids who seek me- — care for mental health or addiction cannot get it. Seventy percent. Talk to parents and teachers. Talk to the school nurses and counselors. Talk to young people. They’ll tell you there’s a serious youth mental health crisis happening right now in this country. We must fulfill the promise of true mental health parity for all Americans now. Now. (Applause.) And I might note, parenthetically: If we do, it saves the country billions of dollars. The idea that it — (applause) — it saves. Here is what it means. Almost 15 years ago, the bipartisan Mental Health Parity and Addiction Equity Act became law. It called for health insurance companies to cover mental healthcare and treatment for substance abuse at the same levels of physical healthcare. Because just like when you break your bone — a bone or have a heart attack, when you’re having a mental health crisis, you should be able to get help — medical help, professional help.

During the Obama-Biden administration, we worked hard to put a law — this law into effect. And the result, by some important measures: There is greater parity — not nearly enough — greater parity today than in the past. Look, there’s lower co-pays for mental health care, getting rid of some arbitrary limits on the number of times you can see your therapist each year. Plus, for the first time ever, the Affordable Care Act made mental health care an essential service, which means many health plans must cover it.

But there were many important — these were important steps, but they weren’t enough. We’re still not where we need to be. We’re still not there. Insurers still make it far too difficult to get mental health care. Their networks of providers are badly inadequate, with far fewer psychiatrists, therapists, and other mental health professionals compared to all other mental — all other medical specialties. And as a result, even with private insurance, patients are often forced to seek out-of-network care at significantly higher costs, if they can find it. Seeing a therapist can cost 200 bucks a visit or more. That’s $800 a month if you have a session every week, which is often what patients need. Many families — a significant number of families — cannot afford that. And, by the way, think about — parenthetically, think — think about just how difficult it is to begin with, to say, “I need help.” You break your arm, you have no trouble going to the emergency and — “I need help.” You’re having a mental crisis, it’s hard. It’s hard to say “I need help.” “I need help.” “My child needs help.” And this is happening to millions of people. People with insurance are twice as likely to have to go out-of-network for mental health care compared to physical healthcare. And that gap has only gotten wider. As a result, folks with depression, anxiety, post-traumatic stress, bipolar disorders, eating disorders, addiction, and other illnesses often go without care. Period. And you know how that ends, many times. They try to power through and hope that they can manage on their own. Or they pay whatever it takes, spending down their savings, racking up credit card bills, or taking out second or third mortgages to get the care for themselves or their children. Folks, it shouldn’t be this way. It doesn’t need to be this way. I’ve heard from mental health professionals across the country describing a system that’s falling short. One therapist wrote to me who primarily treats teenagers, including some who are having suicidal thoughts. And he said when his patients need to be hospitalized to save their lives, insurance companies often deny the claims — often deny the claims. Another clinical psychologist wrote me and described getting calls from desperate people who have called 20 different therapists looking for help but can’t find it. This therapist says, and I quote, “I try to create time that I don’t have to see more patients.” End of quote. “I’m often the only person,” he went on to say, “who is able to call them back.” They never even get calls, most of the time. And I’ve personally received letters from family members whose loved ones are suffering from mental illness, who describe how difficult it can be to help. One woman wrote and went on to say — about her mother, a retired teacher who has a bipolar disorder. Her daughter wrote, quote, “Too often, insurance companies dictate the standard of care when it actually needs to be care providers and family members who have more to say.” And she went on to say, “Please advocate hard for the most vulnerable among us.” Well, that’s exactly what my administration is trying to do. Today, my administration is announcing new steps to dramatically expand access to mental health care in America. Our plans would require health insurance plans to identify the gaps in the mental health care that they provide. For example, they’d need to measure how many mental health providers are in their networks, how much they are paying these providers, how difficult it is for someone to join their network, how often doctors have to get the so-called prior authorization before they can treat a patient. Some of you have dealt with this more than once. You get referrals to see mental health specialists. But when you make the appointment, they say, “I can’t see you until your doctor submits the paperwork and gets special permission from the insurance company.” Give me a break. (Laughter and applause.) It’s ridiculous. It really is. It’s ridiculous. And it prevents people from getting the care they need. Now insurance companies — now insurers are going to measure how often they require prior authorization and how often they deny those requests. Right now, many health plans don’t collect data. Under my administration’s new plan, they would be required to collect that data. (Applause.) And under the existing law, when facts reveal that mental health care is not being treated on par with physical healthcare, they would be required by law to fix it. Fix it, fix it, fix it. (Applause.) And here’s something else we’re announcing today. When Men- — when the Mental Health Parity Act was passed 15 years ago, there was a loophole. Health plans that are offered to state and local government employees did not have to comply with the Mental Health Parity Act. More than 200 health plans nationwide were left out. Now we’re making it clear they have to follow the law as well. (Applause.) They must follow the law as well. This builds on the work we’ve done over the past two years with the expanded Certified Community Behavioral Health Clinics. And I want to thank Debbie again, who for years worked to get this program up and running. She made sure it was funded in the Bipartisan Safer Communities Act, which I was proud to sign into law — the largest investment in mental health ever, ever, ever, ever. Thank you, Debbie. (Applause.) These clinics provide a range of services, including crisis support available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week. And they serve anyone who needs care regardless of their ability to pay. There are now 500 of these clinics in 46 states. We’ve added more than 140 during my administration. And we’re going to keep increasing the number because you need more than the 500. We’ve also launched a nationwide crisis hotline: 8- — excuse me — 988. Let me say that again: The crisis hotline is 988, where you can connect with a trained crisis counselor 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. Over 5 million people have called that hotline since I launched it a year ago — 5 million. (Applause.) And we say we don’t have a problem? We’ve invested $1 billion to help schools hire, train — and train 14,000 new mental health counselors in schools across the country. And we’re taking steps to address the harm of social media is doing to our young people. And it is doing harm. (Applause.) We’ve got to hold — we’ve got to hold these platforms accountable for the national experiment they’re conducting on — on our children for profit. Later this week, senators will debate legislation to protect kids’ privacy online, which I’ve been calling for for two years. It matters. Pass it, pass it, pass it, pass it, pass it. (Laughter.) I really mean it. Think about it. Do you ever get a chance to look at what your kids are looking at online? Folks, the actions we’re announcing today represent a real step forward to help millions of people get mental health care they need and their insurance should be — and — and the insurance should be provided — should be provided. But there’s still so much more to do. Improving our mental health system means addressing the three Cs: coverage, care, and causes. Today, we took a big step on coverage. Now we need to keep expanding care — for example, by increasing access to telemedicine; expanding our mental health workshop — workforce — doctors, therapists, and counselors. Expanding it. We need to address prevention and the root cause of the pain and trauma that a lot of people are feeling, like loneliness and isolation, social media and online bullying, gun violence. And there’s still — we’re still feeling the profound loss of the pandemic. As I mentioned, we have over 100 [1 million] people dead. That’s 100 [1 million] empty chairs around the kitchen table. Every single loss, there are so many people left behind and broken-hearted. Folks, this mental health crisis is something we need to face together as a country. We have a moral obligation, in my view, to be there for each other, to reach out — reach to our neighbors in grief and stress and trauma and despair. Reach out to them to offer help or just a listening ear; to have the courage to ask for help when we need it. And it’s hard, because we know that even when it feels as dark as it can get, we aren’t alone. It’s important for people to realize they’re not alone. That’s what I want everyone — that’s what I want for everyone in America: not to feel isolated and alone, to know their country has their back and their President has their back. Let me close with this. Many people will have to seek mental health care at some point in their lives. Whether you’re in a red state, a blue state, it doesn’t matter. Mental health care can be life-changing and even lifesaving. For all those brave enough and strong enough to seek help — and I mean that — brave enough and strong enough to seek help, we have to do better. Together, I know we will. We just have to remember who we are, for God’s sake. We’re the United States of America. Think — we’re the United — there is nothing beyond our capacity — nothing — nothing beyond our capacity when we do it together. So, God bless you all. And may God protect our troops. Thank you so very much. (Applause.) 3:38 P.M. EDT

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Poverty really is the result of a state of mind — among rich people

Recently, Housing and Urban Development Secretary Ben Carson said that poverty is a state of mind, and having the right mind-set will let people escape poverty. He was both right and wrong. There is a poverty mind-set we should discuss, but it’s not the one Carson lamented. The problem is not that people living in poverty need to have a better attitude to escape poverty. It’s that all of us should have a better attitude when it comes to poor people.

Other researchers have detailed the compelling evidence that Carson conflates cause and effect; to the extent poor people feel hopeless and helpless, it’s the poverty they confront that causes these feelings , and not the other way around.

But Carson’s error runs deeper. Implicit in his understanding of poverty — which many share — is that people are poor because they aren’t working and they made bad choices and decisions that landed them in poverty and keep them there. It might surprise Carson to learn that many poor people agree with him.

Helen, a white woman in her 40s, is an example. When I interviewed her, she lived in a dilapidated house in Philadelphia, with no running water. She did maintenance work sporadically at one of the city’s stadiums; her husband’s work in construction was also inconsistent and low-paying. She was looking for a better job and wishing for longer hours and higher pay, but she nonetheless told me that poor people are lazy and don’t want to work.

I found in my research among Philadelphia’s poorest residents that many believed that other poor people were lazy — but knew they themselves were not. They believed that hard work would guarantee they would get ahead, even as most of them worked very hard but stayed poor. They blamed themselves for not having achieved more in life. Given that most poor people who can work do, yet still live in poverty, it is clear that poor people who think the way Helen does are mistaken, and so is Carson.

Approximately 47 million people in the United States live under the poverty threshold. Poverty doesn’t always mean unemployment or welfare recipient. Only a minority of those under the official poverty line receives cash assistance from welfare . And the official poverty line notoriously underestimates economic struggle and deprivation. The lack of a living wage means that many people who work still live in poverty . In 2014, 12 percent of those in poverty were working full-time jobs, and an additional 27 percent of those in poverty worked less than full time, year-round.

The poverty line is currently $24,600 per year for a family of four, and $16,240 for a family of two. The minimum wage pays just $7.25 per hour, or $15,080 for 40 hours a week, 52 weeks a year, if the worker never misses a day of work. In other words, the minimum wage only puts a family of one above the poverty line.

There are only 12 counties in the entire United States where a worker making minimum wage can afford the rent on a one-bedroom apartment, and zero counties where a full-time minimum wage worker can pay the rent on a two-bedroom apartment . Helen and her husband made less than a full-time minimum wage worker would, and the only place they could afford to live was so substandard it required them to bathe at the home of a relative.

Poverty is not a state of mind; it’s an economic reality. Helen had been trying to get out of poverty for years, but her faith in her own efforts had not made that possible. She had the mind-set the HUD secretary thinks she should, and she believed that it would get her out of poverty. But poor people cannot escape poverty by simply having the right attitude, even though many of them think they can — an attitude that does more to encourage them to blame themselves when things go wrong than it does to help them rise out of poverty.

Jobs that pay a living wage and housing that is affordable for all — not a different mind-set — are the answers to poverty. Cuts to programs that help make medical care, food and housing affordable and accessible to the poor won’t help — they will only worsen the deprivation the poor face. If we want to begin to enact serious solutions that might make a dent in poverty, then it’s up to the financially secure and politically powerful to recognize that blaming poor people for their poverty isn’t going to get us anywhere. The mind-set problem isn’t theirs; it’s ours.

It’s time we realize that people aren’t poor because they don’t work. Too many people work awfully hard to still live in poverty. Carson should be looking out for people like Helen, not stigmatizing them.

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In the foundation of all health and all well-being, it doesn’t even originate in your body. It actually originates inside of your mind. You can have the best looking, most fit, strong, flexible, supple body on the planet, but if your mind is in a state of chaos, none of that other stuff matters.

And for thousands of years, yoga really had nothing to do with yoga poses or yoga postures. For thousands of years, it was all about meditation. It was all about the science of the mind. And then eventually these yogis realized that as they were sitting down and meditating for long periods of time, the body just got tense and tight, so they started to create movements and positions to work out those kinks so that then they could meditate for longer periods without the body getting in the way of that.

But in our modern day culture we kind of flip the equation the other way. Ultimately it’s all important. Balanced mind, strong body, open compassionate generous heart. So we’re firing on all cylinders.

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45 Impromptu Speech Topics and Ideas

October 29, 2017 - Dom Barnard

Impromptu speeches are a great way to practice quick thinking and concise speaking – you usually have only a couple of minutes to prepare a speech lasting around five minutes. Even in this shorter form of speech, you still need to have a structure to what you are saying to ensure your message is understood by everyone.

If you struggle with lack of confidence, practicing with these impromptu speech topics can be a great way to build confidence for all types of speeches and conversations, whether you’re talking to someone at a business networking event or speaking at a wedding.

What is an impromptu speech?

For an impromptu speech, you’ll generally have 1-3 minutes of preparation for a speech lasting 5-8 minutes. Tougher speech events can reduce this preparation time down to 30 seconds and require you to plan your speech mentally, without any paper to write notes on.

Impromptu speech often used at Oxford University debates

Impromptu speeches are often given as part of university and college debates. Oxford Union event shown above.

These types of speeches are usually found in public speaking courses, speaking organisations such as Toastmasters and debating competitions (both professional and student based).

They are a great way of testing a range of communication skills, from organisation to clarity to creativity, and are becoming a popular way to practice general public speaking skills.

Practice Impromptu Speaking

Practice your impromptu speaking skills by talking about a series of random slides for 30 seconds each. Receive feedback on your performance. Learn More

Tips for picking an impromptu speech topic

Here are some quick tips and considerations for picking an impromptu speech.

Pick a topic you are familiar with, have knowledge of and want to talk about. Personal experience on that topic is a bonus as you’ll be able to speak more naturally about it.
Your organisational skills will be tested to come up with a powerful introduction and conclusion in your preparation to back up your argument.
Pick a topic where the scope is limited (or you can easily limit it) as you’ll only have 5 minutes to discuss it.
Your goal is to either inform or persuade your audience so choose a topic that suits these criteria

Impromptu speech topics

There are a huge amount of topic to choose from so we’ve compiled a short list of interesting topics below, some of which will hopefully inspire you or give you talking points you hadn’t previously considered.

A non-biased news site is impossible
The Romain Empire was the most important empire to have existed
Keyboards will be replaced by speech-to-text technology in 10 years
Performance enhancing drugs should be allowed in sport
Colour affects the way people feel
Poor health begins in the mind
Team sports build strong individuals
Beauty is in the eye of the beholder
Poverty is a state of mind
What characteristics make an ideal villain?
How would you describe an average person?
In what situation is lying a good idea?
Who has been the most influential person in your life and why?
Pets are for people who don’t have children
Real learning doesn’t occur in a classroom
It is better to be influential than rich
Do violent video games contribute to youth violence?
School uniforms removes individuality
Children should not watch television
Art is not important to the future of the human race
Future conflicts will be confined to online hacking
Social customs are a waste of time
My biggest concern for the future is…
Climate change is a natural occurrence
What is the most important skill for starting a business
Space exploration advances the human race
Parents are the most influential factors in our lives
Sports people salaries are justified by viewing figures
Reading fiction is a waste of time
Going to university / college is not necessary anymore
Facebook makes society less happy
Anyone can be a millionaire if they work hard enough
No extra-terrestrial species have found us because…
Translation technology will replace the need to learn a language
Colonizing Mars is necessary to ensure human survival
Presidential / Prime Ministers time in office should be lengthened
Social circles and friends are the most important factors for happiness
Real wealth is not measured in money or possessions
The minimum wage should be doubled
Should adults have the right to carry a concealed handgun?
Is sexual orientation determined at birth?
Junk food’s popularity relies on marketing
Both snooker and darts are sports
Being a vegetarian is healthier than eating meat
Renting a house is better than buying

Use any of these topics for your next impromptu speech or just as personal practice to improve your communication skills.

Mental health experts discuss poor mental health among LGBTQ community

LEXINGTON, Ky. (WKYT) - May marks Mental Health Awareness Month, but for those in the LGBTQ community, people may be unaware of the mental health struggles they face.

“I have seen firsthand in my practice that kids that, before they came to terms with their sexuality, there were a lot of suicide attempts, a lot of self-injurious behavior, a lot of depression and anxiety,” said psychologist Dr. Katherine L. Stone.

Dr. Stone said a lack of support from family and a lack of resources, especially for kids, leads to this.

“Kids that are in the northeast or in major cities often times children and adults find more support there, so it’s hard when you live in the south and a red state like this,” she said.

Chris Hartman is the executive director of the LGBTQ civil rights organization, the Fairness Campaign.

He said 90 percent of LGBTQ youth say political anti-LGBTQ rhetoric has had a negative impact on their mental health.

“We are one of the 20-some-odd states now that have banned basic healthcare, you want to talk about what’s most lifesaving, you’ve got to life those restrictions,” Hartman said.

Dr. Stone added that creating a dialogue with the loved ones in your life and seeking out your support system, whether that be online or within your community, can be life-changing.

“I have a family member who shared with a grandmother that she was pansexual, and when she did, this southern grandmother said, ‘oh, honey, I don’t know what that is, but I’ll love you no matter what.’ When you can have families that can do that and provide that support, it just makes such a difference,” she said.

Stone said if a child is struggling with their mental health in regards to their sexual or gender identity, it is important for them to have a trusted adult in their life who may connect them with the resources they need.

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General election latest: Health secretary facing questions on Sky News as Tories pledge to bolster GPs - and Labour vow to cut migration

The Conservative government has pledged £1bn a year in a bid to increase the number of GP appointments in the UK. Watch our conversation with Health Secretary Victoria Atkins on Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips from 8.30am.

Sunday 2 June 2024 07:45, UK

General Election 2024

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Coming up on Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips from 8.30am
Tories pledge £1bn to increase number of GP appointments
Starmer announces plans to lower legal migration
Be in the audience for our election leaders event
Live reporting by Faith Ridler

Expert analysis

Adam Boulton: How Sunak and Starmer will try to parachute in their candidates
Ali Fortescue: Images both parties want to present are clashing with reality

Election essentials

Trackers: Who's leading polls? | Is PM keeping promises?
Campaign Heritage: Memorable moments from elections gone by
Follow Sky's politics podcasts: Electoral Dysfunction | Politics At Jack And Sam's
Read more: Who is standing down? | Key seats to watch | How to register to vote | What counts as voter ID? | Check if your constituency is changing | Your essential guide to election lingo | Sky's election night plans

What are the rules on voter ID? How does tactical voting work? In what different ways can you cast your ballot?

The countdown to the election is on - and already the amount of information can seem overwhelming.

We cut through the noise to bring you what you need to know, from registering to vote, to election day and what happens next.

Read on here...

On 12 June, Sky News will host an election leaders' event in Grimsby - a key marginal seat and one of our Target Towns this election year.

Labour leader Sir Keir Starmer and the Conservative leader Rishi Sunak have been invited to attend, and we are looking for a live audience to join us on the night.

If you would like to be part of this studio audience, and be given the opportunity to ask a question to one of the party leaders, please complete the short questionnaire in this link .

With the general election campaign officially under way, what better time to keep a close eye on the latest polling?

The Sky News live poll tracker - collated and updated by our Data and Forensics team - aggregates various surveys to indicate how voters feel about the different political parties.

See the latest update below - and you can read more about the methodology behind the tracker here .

By Tamara Cohen , political correspondent

As AI deepfakes cause havoc during other elections, experts warn the UK's politicians should be prepared.

"Just tell me what you had for breakfast", says Mike Narouei, of ControlAI, recording on his laptop. I speak for around 15 seconds, about my toast, coffee and journey to their offices.

Within seconds, I hear my own voice, saying something entirely different.

In this case, words I have written: "Deepfakes can be extremely realistic and have the ability to disrupt our politics and damage our trust in the democratic process."

We have used free software, it hasn't taken any advanced technical skills, and the whole thing has taken next to no time at all.

This is an audio deepfake - video ones take more effort to produce - and as well as being deployed by scammers of all kinds, there is deep concern, in a year with some two billion people going to the polls, in the US, India and dozens of other countries including the UK, about their impact on elections.

You can read more from Sky News below:

By Adam Boulton , Sky News election commentator

The last time there was a change in the main party of government an outgoing Labour minister famously left a note saying "I'm afraid there is no money". Never mind that, for the next five weeks until polls close at 10pm on 4 July the UK has no MPs.

At the stroke of midnight last Thursday all their writs expired. All those seeking to get into the Commons are now just prospective parliamentary candidates. They have until this Friday to make sure that their names are registered on the ballot paper.

Even if there are no gains and losses and not a single seat changes hands between the parties, the next parliament is certain to look very different from the last one.

So far 134 members of the 2019-2024 parliament have announced they will not be fighting them again. This means that a minimum of 20%, one in five, of the new MPs will be new faces.

Our flagship Sunday morning show, hosted by Trevor Phillips , will be live on Sky News from 8.30am, and we have a packed line-up for you after this eventful first week of the campaign.

Trevor will be chatting to:

Yvette Cooper , Labour's shadow home secretary;
Victoria Atkins , health secretary;
Stephen Flynn , SNP Westminster leader;
Rhun ap Iorwerth , Plaid Cymru leader.

On Trevor's expert panel will be:

Andrew Marr , broadcaster;
Jo Tanner , former Conservative adviser;
Anne McElvoy , Politico's executive editor.

Watch live on Sky News and in the stream at the top of this page - and follow updates here in the Politics Hub.

Watch Sunday Morning with Trevor Phillips from 8.30am every Sunday on Sky channel 501, Virgin channel 602, Freeview channel 233, on the Sky News website and app or on YouTube .

The Conservative government has pledged £1bn a year in a bid to increase the number of GP appointments in the UK.

The Tories say they would build both GP surgeries and community diagnostic centres if they were re-elected to government.

The party wants to build 100 new GP surgeries and modernise another 150.

However, this bears echoes of the 2019 promise to build 40 new hospitals by 2030 - something the government will not be able to do, according to the National Audit Office.

The report released last year found only 32 of the 40 new hospitals promised by Boris Johnson would be built by the end of the decade - and some may be too small.

By Tim Baker , political reporter

Labour has announced its plans to reduce net migration - with Sir Keir Starmer accusing the Conservatives of having "repeatedly broken their promises" to get the number down.

It marks another attempt by the Labour Party to appeal to Conservative voters.

Figures published after Rishi Sunak called the general election showed a net of 685,000 arrived in the UK last year - down from a record of 764,000 in 2022.

The 2023 figure is still three times the number in 2019 when the last election took place. The Conservatives promised in their manifesto that year to get net migration down.

Good morning!

The tooth-and-nail fight for all 650 parliamentary seats, and the keys to Number 10, is well under way after parliament was officially dissolved on Thursday.

Political parties are spreading out across the country to get their message out ahead of polling day on 4 July.

Here's what you need to know as campaigning continues today:

The Conservative government has pledged £1bn a year in a bid to increase the number of GP appointments in the UK;
The Tories say they would build both GP surgeries and community diagnostic centres if they were re-elected to government. The party wants to build 100 new GP surgeries and modernise another 150;
Labour has announced its plans to reduce net migration - with Sir Keir Starmer accusing the Conservatives of having "repeatedly broken their promises" to get the number down;
The SNP will be campaigning in Glasgow today, with the party's Westminster leader Stephen Flynn and Scotland's First Minister John Swinney both set to give speeches;
And Labour's Bridget Phillipson and Yvette Cooper will be in south London for a quick campaign visit - we will likely hear from them;
Rishi Sunak will also be out and about today.

Join us on Sky News from 8.30am for Sunday Morning With Trevor Phillips - we will be hearing from:

Stick with us for all the latest political news throughout the day.

We're wrapping up our coverage for tonight.