Mental Health Awareness Week – 15 - 21 May 2023 On The Theme Of 'Anxiety'
No. 117/2023
12 May 2023
Our Ref: P1/22
To: All Branches
Dear Colleagues,
Mental Health Awareness Week – 15 – 21 May 2023 On The Theme Of ‘Anxiety’
The Mental Health Foundation announced that the 2023 Mental Health Awareness Week will run from Monday 15 May until Sunday 21 May 2023. The week will explore the experience of anxiety, its effect on our mental health and how we can all play a part in reducing anxiety in our communities and workplaces.
Anxiety is a normal emotion in us all, but sometimes it can get out of control and become a mental health problem.
Lots of things can lead to feelings of anxiety, including exam pressures, relationships, starting a new job (or losing one) or other big life events. We can also get anxious when it comes to things to do with money and not being able to meet our basic needs, like heating our home or buying food.
Anxiety is one of the most common mental health problems we can face. In a recent mental health survey, carried out by the Mental Health Foundation a quarter of adults said they felt so anxious that it stopped them from doing the things they want to do some or all of the time. Six in ten adults feel this way, at least some of the time. On a positive note, anxiety can be made easier to manage.
Focusing on anxiety for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week will increase people’s awareness and understanding of anxiety by providing information on the things that can help prevent it from becoming a problem. At the same time, we will keep up the pressure to demand change – making sure that improving mental health is a key priority for the government, employers and society as a whole.
To obtain resources to help you with your arrangements for Mental Health Week, go to the Mental Health Foundation website at:
Other Useful Links To Organisations Providing Advice And Support:
HSE Guide To Stress And Mental Health At Work – https://www.hse.gov.uk/stress/
NHS Every Mind Matters – https://www.nhs.uk/every-mind-matters/
MIND – https://www.mind.org.uk/
SAMARITANS – https://www.samaritans.org/
Samaritans
For people in distress and urgently needing someone to talk to, Samaritans will listen, won’t judge or tell a person what to do, will offer help, support and guidance 24/7. Members can call them any time, day or night – whatever they’re going through, they can call Samaritans any time, from any phone for FREE. CALL 116 123.
Attachments:
Mental Health Foundation – Mental Health Awareness Week Poster 1
Mental Health Foundation – Mental Health Awareness Week Poster 2
Yours sincerely
Dave Joyce National Health, Safety & Environment Officer