Latest News:
With Christmas just around the corner, automotive charity Ben is running a new campaign to support individuals to cope with anxiety during the festive season.
1 in 10 people feel unable to cope at Christmas, rising to a third of people with a mental health problem (31%), according to Mind.
Anxiety and depression are some of the most common mental health issues people experience and, over the past 12 months, have been the most searched and read blog topics on Ben’s website and continue to be one of the main reasons why people contact Ben’s helpline.
A big part of the festive season is socialising and sometimes being with people we wouldn’t normally spend so much time with. For those with anxiety, socialising can be difficult, especially for people who have Social Anxiety Disorder, in which a person experiences extreme fear or anxiety triggered by social situations. The defining feature of Social Anxiety Disorder, also called social phobia, is intense anxiety or fear of being judged, negatively evaluated, or rejected in a social or performance situation.
Ben has launched new resources on its website to support people to help develop coping strategies with anxiety, including during the Christmas period, on its dedicated web page here.
Other resources
• Managing employee anxiety in the workplace article: click here
• Anxiety at Christmas blog: click here
Rachel Clift, Health & Wellbeing Director, said: “Christmas can be a very challenging time for those with anxiety and mental health issues. The pressure to socialise, going to Christmas parties and hosting events can be overwhelming for some. High expectations also come into play, as well as feeling under pressure to have the ‘perfect’ Christmas. Feeling like everyone around us is having fun when we’re not can also make things even harder. Additionally, the pressure to spend around Christmas time can mean it’s difficult for people to manage their money, with many ending up in debt and experiencing anxiety because of that.
“If you or a family dependent feel like this and are struggling with anxiety, you’re not alone… Ben is always here. You can visit our web page for more information or get in touch with us through our online chat or via our helpline if you need more support.”
