Don’t live in fear, take action on mental health
We all know what it is like to feel frightened. But for one in seven people in the UK, persistent feelings of overwhelming fear and anxiety prevent them carrying on with everyday life as they are ruled by their anxiety.
This for many prevents them doing very simple things and life then becomes what you ‘can’t do’. You can’t sleep, can’t concentrate, can’t eat, can’t see friends. Some people can’t even leave the house.
This week sees the launch of Mental Health Action week which runs from 12-18 April and Warwickshire County Council is supporting this year’s campaign to raise awareness about the impact that fear and anxiety can have on people’s lives. Mental Health Action Week is organised by the Mental Health Foundation which campaigns on issues relating to the mental health of the general population.
Dr Graeme Betts, Strategic Director of Adult, Health and Community Services at Warwickshire County Council, says: ”Fear, anxiety and depression are common mental health problems which, with support, often pass. But sometimes they can take over your life and have a huge effect on your work, school life, family and health.
"That is why Warwickshire Adult, Health and Community Services in partnership with Warwickshire PCT, the Coventry and Warwickshire Partnership NHS Trust and a range of voluntary and community sector mental health organisations are working to develop and promote mental wellbeing in Warwickshire.”
Over the next six months people in Warwickshire will see improved local services promoting mental wellbeing and offering support to people with common mental health problems such as anxiety and depression. This includes more access to psychological therapies through their GP or through community mental health resource bases.
This could mean self help using a computer programme – a new approach that has proved to be an effective way of tackling fear and also depression. There will also be more trained therapists available to help people overcome these kinds of problems.
Anyone currently wishing to seek help advice or support should contact one of our mental health resource bases which are based in the following locations or get information about mental health services on the website http://www.warwickshire.gov.uk/mentalhealth