UK resident Andy Horner is publicly speaking out on the difficulties he has faced trying to access mental health services and what he’s now doing to help others struggling to do the same. Anxious Andy, as he is fondly known, has launched a website designed to help people get the support they need after cutbacks in government funding have made accessing help quite difficult.
With a passion for helping others, Andy created this website using his own funds and resources. In an interview he said, “Having a mental illness is exhausting, so I wanted my website to be as stress-free and user friendly as possible. People can simply click on an icon to get the help and support they need. Many people in the UK these days are battling mental health issues, so mental health services are in high demand and may even be getting out of control.”
Andy goes on to say, “I see a story in the media every day about someone in the UK taking their own life. It is clear that the number of suicides in Britain is rising, and this is completely unacceptable. I believe many of these deaths could have been avoided if only these people had been able to get early intervention from a Community Psychiatric Nurse (CPN) who got them the care they desperately needed.”
A CPN can make regular home visits to monitor’s a person’s mental health and if they deem it necessary, assign them to a psychiatrist or another mental health professional to determine and carry out the appropriate care plan. Mental health services in the UK are severely underfunded, leading to an increase in senseless tragedies. People need access to help before they reach a crisis.
Andy inrelating his own experiences says, “I have battled mental health issues since childhood and have received services on and off most of my life. But I have seen it be this bad, especially amongst the younger generation. I believe that peer pressure and social media have played a big part in the rise of our youth experiencing mental health difficulties.”
In his opinion, “Our government needs to reevaluate the entire mental health system. We need better and more up-to-date hospitals, along with a major drive that includes incentives for nurses to take on such a challenging role. I believe that if someone at risk gets basic understanding, reassurance, and support it could go a long way towards helping them recover and lead a near normal life. I think we are sadly lacking in all three of these things.”
After having suffered from anxiety and depression for most of his life, Anxious Andy has created a website where people from all walks of life can access the support they need or at least distract themselves with various relaxation and coping techniques.
The Anxious Andy website can help you take back control of your life by providing the following:
– Relaxation techniques
– Breathing exercises
– Cognitive behavioral therapy
– Distraction games
– Contact numbers
Problems with mental health can disrupt the lives of individuals struggling mentally, as well as the lives of their loved ones. Many people are experiencing excessive levels of stress these days with the rise in the cost of living and daily life just becoming harder. Society at large is more aware of how these issues affect people than it was when Andy was growing up, but there is still much that needs to be done.
This is why influencers and mental health campaigners like Andy are so passionate about helping people deal with their anxiety-related issues and help them realize that their struggles are common and nothing to be ashamed of. Judging by his social media following of more than one million followers across platforms, his message is clearly resonating.
You can download the Anxious Andy website to your phone, so that you always have a connection to the support you need or to some relaxing distractions.
Just visit the App Store or Google Play today.
