Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event held by the Mental Health Foundation which is focused on promoting positive mental health. The event, running from the 15th to the 21st of May 2023, helps to raise awareness across a host of mental health issues but sets a theme each year and this year’s theme is ‘anxiety’.

Everyone has experienced anxiety at one point or another in their life, it’s a natural human response when our mind feels like we’re under threat, also known as our fight or flight. Anxiety is a feeling of worry, unease, or fear, and can be mild or severe. Whether you’re worrying about an upcoming job interview or a big test, or you can’t stop worrying about something seemingly ‘minor’ or a past experience, anxiety comes in many forms and there’s no shame in seeking help. There are many symptoms of anxiety including:

  • Excessive worrying
  • Nausea
  • Stomach-churning
  • Restlessness
  • Aches & pains
  • Faster breathing or even difficulty breathing and shortness of breath
  • Irregular heartbeat
  • Panic attacks
  • Difficulty sleeping
  • Feeling on edge
  • Difficulty concentrating
  • Nervousness
  • Dizziness
  • Rumination (excessive, repetitive thinking about the same event)

There are plenty more symptoms of anxiety, and many people don’t realise that it can cause physical as well as mental symptoms. If you feel like your anxiety is becoming overwhelming, you don’t have to try and cope with it alone, there are plenty of resources to provide coping mechanisms and help to reduce the feelings or make them less severe. Speak out, whether it’s to your GP, friends, or family – talking provides an output and your GP can direct you towards the help you need.

A smile or a laugh doesn’t always mean all is well and whether it’s you that’s directly affected or someone you know, don’t be afraid to reach out for help.

Here are a few helpful resources to make a note of:

Mental Health Foundation

Prevention is at the heart of what the Mental Health Foundation do, with a vision of good mental health for all.  They aim to help people understand, protect, and sustain their good mental health. Find out more

Mind

The mental health charity provides advice and support to empower anyone experiencing a mental health problem. If you need urgent help, you can contact Mind in several different ways. Find out more

Samaritans

If you want to talk about anything that is bothering you or upsetting you, you can call Samaritans 24 hours a day, 365 days a year. You can call 116 123 (free from any phone), email [email protected] or visit a branch in person. You can also call the Samaritans Welsh Language Line on 0808 164 0123 (7pm–11pm every day). For more information go to https://www.samaritans.org/

CALM

The Campaign Against Living Miserably is leading a movement against suicide. If you identify as male, you can call the Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM) on 0800 58 58 58 (5pm–midnight every day) or contact them using their webchat service during the same hours. Contact CALM

NHS

For more resources or to get help with your mental health, this NHS web page has more helpful resources. Find out more