Tackling anxiety
For Mental Health Awareness Week we sat down with Dani from Holy Trinity Brompton to talk about anxiety and the services that are being offered through Love Your Neighbour Hubs.
A widespread problem
Almost everyone has either experienced anxiety themselves or knows someone close to them who’s experienced it. A post-pandemic UK has shown us how rife the spread of poor mental health has become. Whether lockdowns and the spread of COVID-19 caused that or just brought the symptoms to the surface, it’s hard to deny that anxiety has become a common trait for so many. But with long waiting lists and referrals, getting the help you need is difficult. Fortunately, there is help and support being offered by Love Your Neighbour Hubs – one of them being London’s Holy Trinity Brompton (HTB).
In it together
After Dani, Shelter and Women’s Project Manager at HTB, was diagnosed with diabetes, she received a letter saying she would need to shield herself during the COVID-19 outbreak. She became very panicked and was referred for CBT (cognitive behavioural therapy). Although this helped her, she still felt she needed more – so she signed up for Tackling Anxiety Together at HTB.
Tackling Anxiety Together is a course offered at HTB, and it’s proving to be a vital part of their wrap-around care. Over six weeks, those attending the holistic sessions learn everything – from what anxiety is, to how to cope with panic attacks. It’s a community-focused experience where people come together for practical help on coping with anxiety and how to support each other. The groups are usually made up of about eight people – intimate enough to help everyone, but a size that would reduce any social anxiety for those not comfortable with big crowds.
Far removed from the clinical setting that’s plagued by medical jargon, the course accommodates people of all ages and lifestyles and sees a range of people attend. Whether their issues are rooted in health anxiety, social anxiety, or any of the other broad manifestations, all who attend quickly find their place in these community sessions.
“I got a letter saying you’re high risk, you can’t go outside. I was so claustrophobic and had a full-blown panic attack on the phone.“
Dani, HTB
Seeing real change
Tackling Anxiety Together is working. Dani told us about a lady who attended the course alongside her. Her anxiety was really clear to see. She was visibly shy, and Dani told us that everyone on the course just wanted to go and give her a big hug. Having completed the course, this once shy and reserved lady who struggled in large groups is now leading the group and even volunteering at the night shelter for the homeless – alongside Dani one again.
“We really do lean on each other.“
Dani, HTB
This kind of transformation is exactly what Love Your Neighbour Hubs are there to do. HTB were able to identify a need, respond to it, and transform the life of someone to the point where they become an active part of the change that helped them.
“I allow myself the time to worry and remind myself that anxiety doesn’t rule my life. You hold the pens to your story.“
Dani, HTB
If you’re struggling with anxiety, contact your GP or healthcare professional to discuss the support available, or visit Tackling Anxiety Together and The Mind and Soul Foundation for more information on the services mentioned in this article.
