16 May 2023

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week and the theme this year is anxiety.

It is likely that many of us will experience anxiety at some point in our lives. By highlighting this, we hope to reduce the stigma surrounding anxiety and offer guidance to those experiencing it.

There are many different reasons why you may find yourself experiencing anxiety – including work, school, social situations, or a big change in your life.

Dealing with anxiety can be challenging, but there are many things you can do to manage these difficult feelings.

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, The Mental Health Foundation has recommended nine ways to help people cope with the tough feelings anxiety causes:

  • Focus on your breathing
  • Get moving
  • Keep a diary
  • Challenge your thoughts
  • Get support for money worries
  • Spend time in nature
  • Connect with people and talk about how you feel
  • Get some quality sleep or rest
  • Eat a healthy diet

You can find more detailed information on these tips on the Mental Health Foundation website.

Claire McElroy, Public Health Lead for NHS Borders Wellbeing Service, Mental Health and Suicide Prevention, said “Mental Health Awareness Week is a great opportunity to find out more about how to look after your mental health and wellbeing. Anxiety is common and can cause feelings of stress, panic or fear that can affect your everyday life, but there are things you can do that will help. Support is also available if you are finding it hard to cope with your anxiety symptoms.”

"NHS Borders Wellbeing Service Advisers provide 1 to 1 support and can help you with tips that are recommended by the Mental Health Foundation, such as being more active and eating more healthily, as well as helping with your emotional wellbeing. You can find out more from our Wellbeing Point."

Further information and support for anxiety can be found NHS inform website.