Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) takes place on 15-21 May. Charlie Hughes of the Mental Health Foundation discusses this year’s focus on anxiety, one of the most common mental health issues in the UK
Anxiety can stop us from doing the things we need or want to do, and the more often and the longer we feel anxious, the more it can become a problem, but it is important to remember anxiety can improve.
During Mental Health Awareness Week, we put out a request for people with experience of anxiety to get in touch and tell us their story, both individuals involved with our work across the UK, and those who submitted their information via social media.
My role involved interviewing some of these individuals and hearing their stories. It was great to meet them, each with an interesting and inspiring story to tell.
What this really emphasised was how anxiety presents in different ways and is experienced by people for differing reasons, but that many of the techniques and practices to improve feelings of anxiety were similar. I’ll cover some of them here, and there’s more information in the PDF linked at the bottom of this article.
Conversations about anxiety are important
Speaking about anxiety can be an effective way to reduce anxious feelings. This could be a friend, family member, colleague, member of support group, clinician or carer. You will often find someone you know has experience of anxiety and have tips or advice of their own.
Other people can help us see from a different perspective
Conversations about anxiety and mental health are vital in the workplace. Employers have a responsibility to foster an environment where open conversations around mental health are normal, frequently occurring and expected.
Are you a senior member of staff? Team leaders can make mental health and wellbeing a regular and expected part of work. Part of regular discussion at team meetings, in one-on-one catch-ups and supervision sessions. When team leaders are open about their own wellbeing, it can encourage others to behave in the same way.
Focusing on the small things to alleviate anxiety
In today’s world, there is lots going on that could make us anxious. For me, I try to focus on the small things: mates, music, football, things around me; nature, pets and animals or learning about new things interesting to me.
For a number of the case studies I spoke to, exercise can be a great way to improve and maintain your mental health and alleviate feelings of anxiety. I often have a different perspective on some of my worries after a frenzied game of five-a-side football.
There is lots of research that points to the positive impact nature can have on our mental health too. I live on the edge of Cardiff, near a big forest, and this has been a great outlet for me – especially during Covid-19 and lockdown – the trees and animals, and peaceful surroundings, have definitely benefitted me and my mental health over recent years.
Sometimes if you live in a city or urban area, it can feel difficult to engage with nature, but there are often community gardens, parks or green initiatives for local people to get involved with growing or gardening. Get involved and have a go.
Studies have shown that access to green spaces leads to a reduced risk of mental health problems
According to Thriving with Nature, Mental Health Foundation, World Wildlife Fund 2020. “Across multiple studies, researchers have found a fascinating link between access to green space, such as fields, forests, parks and gardens, and a reduced risk of mental health problems, improved mood and increased life satisfaction.”
Tips for coping with anxiety also include breathing techniques, and getting creative – music, arts and crafts – what works is often different for everyone. Find our tips: MHAW23-coping-with-anxiety-tips.pdf.
Sometimes we might need a bit of extra support. Especially if you find anxiety or your mental health is affecting your day-to-day and is becoming hard to manage.
Speak to a GP, workplace, or charity
Speak to your GP if symptoms of anxiety are affecting your everyday life or making you feel unwell. In a mental health emergency, you can phone 999 or go to A&E.
Many workplaces also have a range of support, including access to Employee Assistance Programmes, where you could speak to a trained professional confidentially.
There are great charities with helplines open 24/7 if you are worried about your mental health or someone you know. There is a useful list of these services on our website: Get help | Mental Health Foundation.
Find out about how you or your organisation could get involved with Mental Health Awareness Week below.
Charlie Hughes
Communications and media manager
chughes@mentalhealth.org.uk
