Seek help and take control over your anxiety awareness
This year’s theme of Mental Health Awareness Week is focused on “Anxiety”, aimed at tackling the stigma surrounding mental health and helping people better understand and support their own mental health.
Mental Health Awareness Week, hosted by the charity, the Mental Health Foundation, has encouraged people to get involved by sharing their experience of Anxiety along with ideas that can help.
Part of the campaign also highlighted how Anxiety can affect individuals and to raise awareness of the condition.
People can be affected in different ways, annd symptoms can include:
– Feeling anxious, worried, restless or agitated;
– Avoiding people or situations;
– Palpitations – a rapid and strong heartbeat;
– Increased muscle tension or ‘jelly legs’;
– Tingling in the hands and feet;
– Hyperventilation (over breathing);
– Tension headaches;
– Tight feeling across the chest area;
– Feeling sick.
There are a number of ways to manage feelings of Anxiety and steps you can take to help cope with these symptoms.
Ways to help you from becoming overwhelmed, include:
– Breathing exercises;
– Ways to relax – reading or listening to music;
– Physical activity;
– Speaking to a trusted family member or friend;
– Reduce your caffeine intake;
– Making sure to get adequate sleep;
– Keeping a diary.
South Eastern Trust Acute Hospital Manager and Lead Nurse, Paula Brannigan, said: “Mental Health Awareness Week provided an opportunity for us all to reflect on our own mental health.
“We should all look out for each other and promote our wellbeing by taking time for ourselves.
“It sometimes feels like the most difficult thing to do, but we should reach out to all the mental health support networks available in the local community.”
There is also a wide range of resources available online to support you and your mental health.
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