Mental Health Awareness Week
15 May – 21st May 2023
You are not alone
What is Mental Health Awareness Week?
Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event that takes place in the UK, aimed at raising awareness and starting conversations about mental health. Hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, it takes place in 2023 between 15th and 21st May.
The theme this year is ‘anxiety‘, aiming to further understand it and learn how to cope with it in everyday life.
Everyone can feel anxious, but the relationship between eating disorders and anxiety is particularly unique.
What is the link between eating disorders and anxiety?
The relationship between anxiety and eating disorders is very intricate, as anxiety can both contribute to the development of an eating disorder and manifest as a symptom of the disorder itself.
For some people, anxiety may be a driving force behind their engagement in disordered eating behaviours. When faced with overwhelming emotions, stress, or difficult life situations, they may turn to food as a coping mechanism.
In these instances, food becomes a source of comfort or control, offering a temporary relief from anxiety or serving as a distraction from emotional distress. This coping strategy, while initially providing a sense of relief, can quickly spiral into an unhealthy cycle, perpetuating the eating disorder and exacerbating the underlying anxiety.
Conversely, anxiety can also arise as a symptom of an eating disorder. The constant preoccupation with food, body image, and weight, along with the rigid rules and rituals surrounding eating, can generate intense feelings of anxiety.
Fear of weight gain, guilt after eating, or anxiety about breaking self-imposed food restrictions become common occurrences for individuals with eating disorders. These anxious thoughts and emotions often lead to a distorted perception of food and a constant state of hyper-awareness and apprehension.
Recognising the importance of welcoming and acknowledging emotions is crucial in the journey towards recovery from an eating disorder.
Anxiety, like any other emotion, serves as an indicator, signalling unmet needs, boundaries, or underlying issues that require attention. Instead of viewing anxiety as something to be avoided or suppressed, individuals can learn to embrace it as valuable information about their emotional well-being.
Helpful blogs relating to mental health
How to nurture a compassionate voice
5 steps for a little self-love
‘It’s just me’ – poem by Emily Nuttall
How does Orri support mental health?
At Orri, we understand that every person’s mental health is unique and there is no ‘one-size-fits-all’ when treating mental health conditions such as eating disorders. Therefore, we take a holistic approach to eating disorder treatment, focusing not only on the physical symptoms but also on the psychological, social, and environmental factors that contribute to the condition. By addressing the root causes of the eating disorder and supporting individuals’ mental health needs, we aim to empower clients to achieve sustainable recovery and improved overall wellbeing.
“You can’t see mental health, so it’s important to always be kind and compassionate. You don’t know what somebody else is going through.”
FAQs
What is Mental Health Awareness Week?
Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event that takes place in the UK, aimed at raising awareness and starting conversations about mental health. It is hosted by the Mental Health Foundation and takes place in May each year.
When is Mental Health Awareness Week 2023?
Mental Health Awareness Week 2023 runs from May 15th to May 21st.
What is the theme for Mental Health Awareness Week 2023?
The theme for 2023 is ‘Anxiety’ and educating about living and coping with anxiety in day-to-day life.
How can I get involved with Mental Health Awareness Week?
There are many ways to get involved with Mental Health Awareness Week, including sharing information on social media, attending local events, and participating in activities that promote mental wellbeing. You can also visit the Mental Health Foundation website to access resources and information.
Why is Mental Health Awareness Week important?
Mental Health Awareness Week is important because it helps to raise awareness of mental health issues and reduce stigma surrounding mental illness. By encouraging conversations and promoting understanding, Mental Health Awareness Week helps to create a more supportive and inclusive society for those living with mental health conditions.
If you have concerns about your mental health or want to talk more about eating disorders, we’re here to talk.