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The Mental Health Foundation has produced a report into the levels of anxiety being experienced in the UK. Entitled 'Uncertain Times: Anxiety in the UK and how to tackle it.' the 40 page report was done in March this year and one of the key points it makes is that everyone’s experiences of anxiety are different, and the causes of anxiety can be complicated, but there are circumstances more likely to give rise to anxiety. These can include negative life events, social isolation, stress relating to work/education, physical and/or mental health problems, and social and societal pressures, including those experienced online. The report also helps to bust the many myths and confusion surrounding the mental health condition of anxiety and lists some of the diagnoses that people suffering with anxiety may be experiencing: Anxiety disorders are a group of mental health diagnoses characterised by excessive, persistent, and irrational fear or worry about everyday situations or events. These conditions are prevalent in the UK, with an estimated one in six adults (16%) likely to have some form of anxiety. • Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD) • Panic Disorder • Agoraphobia • Social Anxiety Disorder • Specific Phobias • Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD) • Health Anxiety Disorder Symptoms of anxiety disorders can vary from person to person and may include a combination of physical, emotional, and behavioural symptoms. In the UK, anxiety disorders are often treated with a combination of therapy and medication. Anxiety disorders are common and treatable mental health conditions that can significantly affect an individual’s quality of life. If you are experiencing anxiety that is becoming disabling, seeking professional help is important in order to receive an accurate diagnosis and effective treatment Whilst the report is lengthy, it does give good advice and provides those reading it with the knowledge of the mental health conditions in order to be able to manage their mental health. Some of the Key Points of the report: • Feelings of anxiety are a natural and important human response to stress or perceived danger. They are feelings of unease, worry, or apprehension. Anxiety is a part of our body’s natural ‘fight or flight’ response that helps us react quickly to potential threats. • Anxiety can become problematic if it is persistent over a long period of time, is overwhelming, or stops us from doing things we want or need to do. • Anxiety levels amongst the population increased throughout the pandemic and have not yet dropped to pre-pandemic levels. i • In March 2023, the Mental Health Foundation worked with Opinium to conduct an online survey of 6,000 UK adults aged 18+ to look at anxiety in the UK population, its causes, and popular coping mechanisms. • Nearly three-quarters of the population (73%) had felt anxious at least sometimes in the previous two weeks, with one in five people (20%) anxious most or all of the time. • Some groups of people are more likely to be affected by anxiety than others. Nearly all young people (18-24yrs) in our research (86%) had felt anxious in the previous two weeks. For over half (58%) this had stopped them undertaking day-to-day activities. Other groups more likely to report feeling anxious were: o Single parents (89%) o LGBTQ+ people (89%) The full report is available via the Unionsafety E-Library using the search category of 'Mental Health' or by clicking on the image above.
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