It’s never ‘Just’ Anxiety

Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 starts  on Monday and this year the theme is ‘Just Anxiety?’. But really, it is never ‘just’ anxiety. The Mental Health Foundation wants to shift perceptions around anxiety and drive conversations that acknowledge the impact on those suffering with anxiety every day.

Anxiety is a human emotion that many of us feel to some extent every day. For some we experience peaks and troughs of anxiety throughout our lives and for others it is a daily presence and challenge. Anxiety isn’t gender or industry specific, so we know that it will be impacting you, our members, especially at moments when your lives and careers collide. As well as affecting the family, friends and colleagues around you.

It is when the feelings and physical experiences of anxiety impact our day-to-day lives and the quality of our lives that it’s important to seek help. One in 10 people in the UK experience anxiety disorders and there are so many different types of anxiety. Building understanding of how broad and varied the types and impacts of anxiety are is crucial to supporting those who suffer.

The impact of the pressure of work on women and their mental health has long been documented, especially amongst high-achievers and those who strive for perfection or fear failure. According to the Mental Health Foundation women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with anxiety than men and worryingly anxiety is more prevalent in younger age groups.

Continuing to build networks of supportive women, where both positive and negative experiences can be shared is essential to making a difference. Anxiety is often a silent disorder that many keep quiet about and mask, which is why having honest and open discussions and shining a light on the issues through awareness weeks will help those who suffer and those who support them.

For more information about Mental Health Awareness Week and to explore their resources click here.