Mental Health Awareness Week is the biggest annual opportunity for the whole of the UK to come together to focus on getting good mental health. The goal is to tackle stigma and help people understand and prioritise their and others' mental health. The theme of Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 is anxiety.

We all experience anxiety from time to time. It might be connected to relationships, big life changes, financial worries, employment or many other factors in our lives. It can be tough to manage anxiety, but there are ways to manage those feelings which can help.

The Mental Health Foundation has a guide on how to cope with feelings of anxiety which range from breathing techniques, support with money worries to movement and exercise.

It was recently reported that a record number of people are not working in the UK due to long-term illness, and an increase in mental health issues was stated as a big contributor. However, employment can also have a positive impact on mental health. Whilst 80% of people with severe mental health would like to work, only 6-8% are in paid employment. Suitable work can improve mental health and recovery, which improves health and wellbeing, lower suicide risk and greater inclusion and social networks.

This Mental Health Awareness week, members of our Employment & Recovery Service were out at the Mander Centre in Wolverhampton to talk to individuals about how we can support with finding and retaining employment, volunteering, money worries, training and tackling loneliness and isolation.

Check out our website for more information on www.blackcountryjobsupport.com