We’re proud to be supporting Mental Health Foundation this Mental Health Awareness Week (15 to 21 May).
This year’s theme is anxiety - an emotion that we’ve likely all experienced at some point in our lives.
Lots of things can lead to feelings of anxiety, including exam pressures, work, relationships, or other big life events. We can also get anxious when it comes to things to do with money and not being able to meet our basic needs, like heating our home or buying food.
Anxiety is a common feeling that sometimes gets out of control. But it can be made easier to manage.
There are lots of things we can do to help manage feelings of anxiety, and what works will be different for everyone. A good way to find something that might work for you is to think of the Five Ways to Wellbeing.
Connect
Reach out to others and try have open and honest conversations with family, friends or colleagues about how you’re feeling or things that are making you anxious.
If you're looking for more support, or you want to talk to someone in Brighton & Hove, get in touch with UOK, a local network of services working together to support mental health.
Learn
Learning new things can boost confidence and give us a sense of achievement.
As well as a great range of books, our libraries offer activities and support for people of all ages and abilities, they host exhibitions, film screenings and community events, and they offer free ebooks and podcasts too. For more information, visit your local library or find out more online.
Be active
A brisk walk, bike ride or exercise class can be a powerful tool for dealing with anxiety. Think about how you can fit physical activity into your day.
Our Active for Life team offer free activities for all ages and abilities throughout the year. Have a look what activities are available and find something that suits you.
Take notice
An excellent way to reduce anxiety is to spend time in nature like our parks and by the sea and pay attention to what’s going on around us.
Our Healthy Lifestyles team offer free guided Healthwalks most days across the city for people of all ages and abilities. Details about the walks are available on our website or in brochures you can find in community venues across Brighton & Hove.
Give
Helping others through acts of kindness increases our wellbeing and reduces stress and anxiety levels.
Volunteering opportunities are available throughout the city if you want to give your time to someone else that might need you. Some of the opportunities available are listed on the council's website or have a look at the Community Works website as they work with charities and community groups in Brighton & Hove and beyond.
Find more suggestions for improving your mental health
The Mental Health Foundation offer more information and support for dealing with anxiety and other mental health and wellbeing concerns.
NHS Every Mind Matters website offers simple practical resources for managing mental wellbeing. It includes tips for self-care, advice videos, as well as an opportunity to create a personalised mental health action plan.
Get more support if you need it
While it's normal to feel anxious from time to time, worsening mental health could indicate the need for outside help.
UOK is a network of local services committed to supporting good mental health and wellbeing in Brighton & Hove. Find out more on the UOK website or call them on freephone 0808 196 1768 (Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm)
Sussex Mental Healthline provides 24/7 support from registered clinicians. As well as crisis support it provides psychological support to anyone with general concerns about their mental health, and if needed they can refer you for local assessment and treatment. Call free on 0300 5000 101.
Samaritans are available to speak to 24hrs a day, 365 days a year. Call them free on 116 123.
