Mental Health Awareness Week 2014 will take place from 12-18 May. This year’s theme is Anxiety.

NHS Calderdale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are supporting the Mental Health Foundation to encourage people to get involved in an effort to raise awareness of anxiety and promote positive mental health.

1 in 6 of us in the UK struggle with mental health issues at any one time and personal financial stresses resulting from the current economic climate are a major cause of anxiety and depression.

Everyone has feelings of anxiety at some point in their life; however what can begin as normal, everyday anxiety, can develop into something more serious, like a panic, phobia, or obsessional disorder.

Dr Peter Davies, NHS Calderdale Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) said: “GP consultations involve a complex mix of physical, mental and social symptoms and GPs try to help patients to sort their way through this mix.

“Some anxiety is a part of life, but if it is severe it can become disabling. Most people find a way to deal with their anxieties. Sometimes anxieties can become too much to manage and a doctor or counsellor may then help the patient with sorting them out. Medication is sometimes, but far from always, helpful.”

Further information and some tips on how to help reduce anxiety can be found on the NHS Choices http://www.nhs.uk and Mental Health Foundation http://mentalhealth.org.uk/ websites.