Its Mental Health Awareness week from the 12 - 18 May and this year is focusing on anxiety.

Everyone has feelings of anxiety at some point in their life, however what can begin as normal, everyday anxiety, can develop into something more serious, like a panic, phobia, or obsessional disorder. There are ways that you can manage your anxiety before it seriously harms our wellbeing.

What is anxiety? Anxiety is a type of fear usually associated with a perceived threat or something going wrong in the future, but it can also arise from something happening right now. Unlike fear itself, which is a response to an immediate danger, anxiety is an ongoing sense of worry without a specific cause.

Therapy Talking therapies like counselling or Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) are very effective for people with anxiety problems. CBT helps people to understand the link between negative thoughts and mood and how altering their behaviour can enable them to manage anxiety and feel in control. There are NHS funded therapy providers all over Kent, you can refer yourself into see these therapy providers or ask your GP.

For more information go to the NHS Funded Therapy page on Live It Well – this contains lists of the therapy providers you can refer yourself into for each area of Kent and Medway.

Guide to Living with Anxiety - the Mental Health Foundation have made a guide for living with anxiety which includes coping methods as well as what help and support is available to you. Click on the link to download this. Mental Health Foundation

Awareness Kit – if you are planning on holding an event in Mental Health Awareness week and want some information about how to get started the awareness kit is for you! Or more information about the Mental Health Foundations mental health awareness week follow the link.