Mental Health Awareness Week
Claritee was founded due to the shared experiences of our co-founders and their personal journeys. Due to the nature of the beast that is mental health, it will forever be a byproduct of modern-day living. No one singular person or organisation is going to offer a finite solution to the universal issue, but we believe that a collective effort is the best solution for lasting change and improvement for future generations. Our focus centres on the corporate sphere where many spend a large portion of their time. We found that the resources for mental health assistance and practices in the working space were lacking heavily and endeavoured to provide a service that could offer real change.
Be The Spirit & Mental Health Awareness Week
Our debut corporate event is only days away and the anticipation for it has been building within the Claritee team. Be The Spirit was intentionally set for the 18th of May to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week, as our organisation aligns with the ethos that the Mental Health Foundation stands for.
Our launch event is alcohol-free with the objective to showcase the benefits of a corporate occasion that is not fuelled purely by alcohol. We have curated a selection of 0% beers, 0% wine, 0% champagne and 0% cocktails. There are numerous physical disadvantages to alcohol but for some people, it can have detrimental effects mentally. Alcohol can of course be consumed in moderation with no ill effect but certain individuals, may be abstaining from it for religious reasons, health or addiction issues. Albeit not wholly inclusive, alcohol is subconsciously used at times, as a crutch for social situations with many people suffering from social anxiety.
Our event has a non-stop lineup of local, high-energy entertainment acts, live music, and a motivational speech from Merseyside’s beloved Neil ‘Razor’ Ruddock. Our ongoing team developmental challenge will see teams visit individual game stalls to win as many points as possible to win the first Be The Spirit title. The evening was intentionally designed to be jam-packed to offer a variety of entertaining acts and activities for guests to get involved with. This will hopefully show how a sober mind can grow authentic connections whilst still having an enjoyable time, without alcohol.
Mental Health Awareness Week’s 2023 Theme
In the UK, Mental Health Awareness Week exists to tackle the stigma surrounding the plethora of issues that exist as a result of poor mental health. Originating in 2001, the dedication of this week to mental health issues spreads awareness in the hope that those suffering feel less alone and conversations can be had to share the burden. Unlike other health issues that emerge in a certain amount of individuals in the world, the maintenance of mental health affects every human being on the planet. Whether it is clinically diagnosed or the pressures of everyday circumstances, the catalyst for poor mental health can occur at any time, to anyone.
Every day, we as conscious beings have a constant chatter inside our heads deciding our daily trajectories. We are constantly bombarded with the stimuli of everyday life on top of social interactions and societal influences that can govern our inner mental conversations. With the multiple responsibilities that consume our daily lives, our concentration isn’t always on prioritising our own mental health. This week shines a spotlight on this concern within society and normalises the fact that we are all facing the trials and tribulations of life. Of course, mental health takes many different forms with different degrees of severity, at different times in life. There isn’t one prescription that fits all for mental health issues. By conducting conversations with each other and being vulnerable enough to open up, the stigma will hopefully break down over time.
With the spectrum of mental health being expansive, the Mental Health Foundation chooses a theme each year to highlight particular conditions. In 2021, the theme was centred on nature and how it can alleviate stress and encourage grounding. Last year’s theme was focused on loneliness, especially after the global pandemic. This year’s topic for Mental Health Awareness Week is anxiety.
Spotlighting Anxiety
Anxiousness can take numerous forms and be displayed in a variety of symptoms. Anxiety can arise through thoughts, feelings, emotions and physical sensations. The stereotypical impression of anxiety conjures the picture of someone:
having irregular breathing
having a full-blown panic attack
experiencing heart palpitations
showing visible signs of emotional distress
suffering from agoraphobia due to fears accumulating
All of the above are most definitely indicators of anxiety and are draining for sufferers to experience, however, anxiety can also take a more insidious nature such as:
mentally feeling a huge amount of dread randomly or constantly
feeling a constant state of overwhelm by large or small instances
harbouring a great amount of fear about the future
feeling as though the world is speeding up or slowing down
worrying on a loop about how you are perceived by others
feeling tense and unable to relax
With the build-up of the silent symptoms, long-term health problems can arise as the body believes it is constantly dealing with a state of stress. This is why it is important to highlight anxiety and not dismiss mild symptoms. Without practices in place and prioritisation, the potential for symptoms to snowball is high.
Treatments & Resources
Thankfully, the condition of anxiety has become more recognised in the last few decades, with more conversations encouraging those that suffer that they are not alone. Practices and treatments are more widely known in the mainstream health community such as self-help resources as initial treatment—for instance, workbooks and online cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) programmes. Verbal therapies are another popular resource, whether it be a referral to a therapist or treatments such as cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) or applied relaxation therapy. Of course under prescription from a medical practitioner, medicinal solutions are available for severe anxiety, especially if it is becoming constant or debilitating.
We fully are aligned with the work of the Mental Health Foundation and support the attention that Mental Health Awareness Week instigates in the UK. The dominant message that this particular week in the calendar conveys, is that those suffering from mental health and especially anxiety, are not alone in their battle. There are a multitude of resources to turn to, to assist in managing anxiety and many people suffer from the varying symptoms it can display.
If you are struggling with anxiety, we advise you to seek treatment via your assigned local GP or contact one of the expert organisations below. Please do not suffer in silence and remind yourself that you are not alone, there are professionals who can assist you on your journey.
Resources:
https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/mental-health-awareness-week-about
To contact AnxietyUK for immediate assistance call:
03444 775 774
