Anxiety is the Theme for the MFHA Mental Health Awareness Week
Mental Health Awareness Week is run by the Mental Health Foundation. This year it is coming up soon the week beginning 15th May 23 and the theme is Anxiety.
The MFHA is an international organisation widely recognised in the UK for their First Aider Mental Health certification. Their certification is valid for 3 years from the training dates and refreshers must be taken after that if to keep the certification.
The MFHA provides training pertaining to both adults and young people and the adult certification is available through many corporate companies. The aim is to train a couple of people within each office who will be looking out for their colleagues mental health, trained to recognised and support those who are suffering from Mental Health. Mental Health is a major source of work incapacity in the UK and prevention is therefore key to many companies.
This theme is particularly inclusive when we know that Anxiety is the most common mental health condition people experience, whether by adults or young people. It can be experienced as mild uneasiness, a panic attack or a range of feelings in between. Symptoms will be different for different people and circumstances.
Supporting sufferers earlier on with non judgmental acknowledgement, empathy, and knowledge about the condition can make a difference in young people ‘s life. Techniques can be learnt using mindfulness, breathing techniques and movement to help regulate the nervous system and provide a sense of control.
For Young People, Cognitive behaviour therapy may also be useful and YoungMinds is a great way to start with lots of information and research available. Talking to friends and family is important as well as acknowledgement and acceptance of what is happening, without trying to push it away, which can make it worse.
Dr Julia Clements, educational psychologist wrote some great tips to relieve anxiety for the charity Place2Be. Check out all 6 ways to cope if you are feeling anxious here
A really inspiring and empowering Podcast I recommend to listen to for those who would like to start taking small steps to help themselves can be found here it contains great scientific facts and practical tips to help feel better.
Many Schools offer Mindfulness and Yoga which are great practices to learn about ourselves, get involved with a life long healthy discipline and learn techniques useful to regulate the nervous system and improve sleep quality.
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