Mental Health Week 2023
Tue 16th May - Mon 22nd May 2023
United Kingdom
Founded in 2001, Mental Health Week is a UK event supported by the Mental Health Foundation. The aim of this week is to educate the public about mental health issues and to promote better mental health. This event is also a vehicle to raise funds for the Mental Health Foundation .
The Mental Health Foundation is a UK charity which supports research into mental health issues, promotes better mental health, campaigns to reduce the stigma and discrimination surrounding mental health, and develops better mental health services.
Each year has a different theme.For example, one years theme, Anxiety Aware ,focused on raising awareness about anxiety and the effects it can have on the individual, those around them, and on society as a whole. Whilst everyone experiences anxiety, for some, anxiety can be overwhelming, chronic and debilitating. Anxiety is not the same as fear although the symptoms are similar. Anxiety is associated with an ongoing sense of worry without a specific cause, unlike fear which is a specific response to a perceived threat.
Feelings of anxiety can be brought on by:
- Financial Issues
- Work
- Loved Ones
- Ageing
- Loneliness
Anxiety can also be more generalized affecting a person for which they may feel happens for no particular reason. Anxiety can be specific in the form of a phobia to a certain object, event or situation. Examples of common phobias include fear of public speaking and social phobia.
Chronic anxiety can affect a persons life in many ways. Reduced concentration and work avoidance can affect productivity bringing financial problems. Chronic anxiety can hinder or damage relationships - in some cases a person will stop leaving their house avoiding social contact with others.
Most people can take steps to overcome anxiety and deal associated symptoms. Relaxation techniques can be learned, exercise taken and an appropriate course of therapy taken . Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT), in which a person monitors their thoughts and faces avoidance behavior, can be very effective. In some cases medication may be prescribed which helps suppress symptoms which can make it easier to try these other treatment options.