This year, Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 15th – 21st May 2023. The official theme, set by the Mental Health Foundation is ‘anxiety’. ‘Just Anxiety’ campaigns have been set up to help individuals and organisations understand the differences between anxiety and anxiety disorders, and to make it clear where they can find support.
Anxiety is a common emotion that most people experience at some point in their lives, similar to nervousness. However, people suffering with an anxiety disorder will feel intense levels of this emotion that often impacts their quality of life, and can effect just over 1 in 10 people across the UK.
When talking about anxiety, it can sometimes be dismissed as just worrying or just stress. Campaigns during Mental Health Awareness Week aim to challenge the notion that it is ‘just’ anxiety.
There are 5 main types of anxiety:
- Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD)
- Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)
- Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD)
- Phobias
- Separation Anxiety
The causes of anxiety vary from person to person, so it is important to understand what triggers anxiety for you and how to cope with it. Things like breathing exercises, healthy diets and spending time with friends and family are all ways in which people cope with anxieties. Find out more about coping mechanisms in our blog!
