Who do we help? Groups are attended by adults 18+ who suffer from all forms of anxiety and depression which are led by trained volunteers. Within the sessions we discuss methods which help members manage and cope with their anxiety as well as incorporating elements of the cognitive behavioural approach. Anxiety Disorders Anxiety includes a range of symptoms which are unique to each individual. These may include the following: ● intrusive thoughts ● excessive worry ● panic attacks ● vigilance ● physical symptoms such as stomach churning and itchy skin. ● avoiding situations Social Anxiety It revolves around being judged, evaluated or rejected which can occur during social situations. Generalised Anxiety Disorder Is an excessive and persistent worry about a number of things rather than one specific aspect. Obsessive Compulsive Disorder This is the most diverse anxiety disorder. It can include intrusive thoughts which somehow relate to compulsions, these are often, but not always checking behaviours. Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder PTSD is a trauma based mental health condition often involving flashbacks. It can be caused by a variety of things including motor accidents, sexual assault, violence, witnessing violence or death. Perinatal/postnatal Anxiety/depression It can occur before and after giving birth. Postnatal depression is a serious physical condition and is not the 'baby blues' which usually goes away over a period of weeks. Benefits of our sessions 1) Social - provides social support in a safe environment. 2) Normalising – A positive attitude towards mental health. Our members feel comfortable sharing their experiences knowing that they will not be judged. We try to reduce the stigma surrounding mental health by increasing awareness of mental health related disorders within our sessions. 3) Learning – In our self-help groups we discuss a topic each session in addition to incorporating techniques from the CBT approach to help members cope.