Taking place from 15-21 May 2023, this year’s theme is anxiety and we couldn’t think of a better topic to explore in 2023. Already at an all-time high, the stresses of the pandemic accelerated cases of anxiety by 25%. Consequently, today 1 in 10 of us will be living with an anxiety disorder, with many more suffering in silence with an undiagnosed, constantly gnawing sense of anxiety.
Let us curate your Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 Programme
Celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 at your work, with our curated programme of workshops and classes exploring anxiety. Leading with our signature workshop Managing Anxious Thoughts, we’ve also got meditation, nutrition and yoga classes for some more anxiety-alleviating additions to your MHAW schedule.
Lastly, remember Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 is also an opportunity to explore other mental health topics – such as Loneliness, Managing Financial Worries, Neurodiversity and Happiness.
What is Anxiety?
Anxiety is a natural reaction to stress or threat. When we’re anxious, complex thinking processes are shut down to allow us to concentrate on the danger at hand. Our breathing quickens, our heart starts pumping faster, sending more blood to our muscles as we prepare to fight or flee. Both the mind and body adapt in order to give us the best chance of surviving until the danger passes.
Anxious thoughts and feelings are a predictable and appropriate response for many situations. However, anxiety can evolve into something that’s problematic and there are now six types of diagnosed anxiety disorders in the DCM (Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders).
Workshops and Classes for Mental Health Awareness Week
Anxiety Statistics
- Presently in the UK, a little over 1 in 10 of us will be living with an anxiety disorder at any one time – that’s over 8 million people. (Source).
- There was a marked increase in anxiety at the beginning of lockdown. Between 20 and 30 March 2020 almost half (49.6%) of people reported high levels of anxiety. People are still feeling the repercussions of this heightened anxiety today. (Source.)
- Generalized anxiety disorder (GAD) is more common in high income countries (Source.)
- Unfortunately less than 50% of people with generalised anxiety disorder access treatment. (Source.)
- Women are twice as likely to be diagnosed with an anxiety disorder than men. (Source.)
What is Mental Health Awareness Week
Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event across the UK. achieving good mental health. The week aims to tackle stigma and enable people to understand and prioritise mental health.
Set up by the Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Awareness Week has grown to become one of the most high-profile public campaigns in the UK. Every May, the foundation sets a theme for that year’s Mental Health Awareness Week. Previously, MHAW themes have included loneliness, kindness, nature and sleep. 2023’s theme is anxiety.
Today, Mental Health Awareness Week is supported by workplaces, schools, communities and the media throughout the UK.
Stretching the City delivered five fantastic workshops during our Mental Health Awareness Week here at Accenture. The speakers were extremely knowledgeable, engaging and professional and helped us deliver a MHA Week to remember. Thanks Stretching the City!
An engaging session and it was so nice that people felt able to openly discuss their own examples of mental health.
Loved the mental health session today! So many great things covered – thank you
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