Anxiety
Updated: Sep 29
Mental Health and Well Being
There is something happening around us that we need to talk about more openly: people are struggling with their mental health. Every day, people carry anxiety, fear, grief, loneliness, depression, overwhelming stress, uncertainty and emotional exhaustion—often while appearing perfectly fine to everyone around them. Many of us have become remarkably good at saying, “I'm fine,” when the truth is that we are anything but fine.
There are many possible reasons for the tremendous amount of anxiety people are experiencing today. Financial pressures, relationship difficulties, family responsibilities, work stress, social isolation, world events, constant exposure to disturbing news, health concerns and major life changes can all contribute. For some people, there may also be biological, psychological or past-trauma factors involved. Whatever the reason, mental health deserves the same willingness to seek help that we give physical health.
You Don't Have to Figure It Out Alone
One of the most important things we can do when we are struggling is to tell someone we trust.
That might be a spouse, partner, family member, close friend, physician, therapist, counsellor, psychologist, psychiatrist, clergy member or another qualified professional. Sometimes the first step isn't finding an answer. Sometimes the first step is simply saying: “I'm not doing very well right now, and I need someone to talk to.” That sentence can be incredibly difficult to say—and incredibly important.
What Does Anxiety Actually Look Like?
Anxiety doesn't always look like panic.
I've encountered people who describe racing thoughts that won't stop.
Others can't sleep because their minds are constantly anticipating what might go wrong.
Some people become irritable.
Some withdraw from the people they love.
Some repeatedly seek reassurance.
Some have difficulty concentrating or making even simple decisions.
Others experience physical symptoms—tightness in the chest, trembling, headaches, digestive problems, muscle tension, fatigue or a feeling that something terrible is about to happen.
And some people become experts at hiding it.
A person can be successful professionally, have a beautiful family, appear confident and still be struggling tremendously inside.
Some Examples
The Person Who Can't Turn Off Their Mind
Someone may tell me: “I know everything is probably going to be okay, but I can't stop thinking about everything that could go wrong.”
In situations like this, practical steps can include identifying the specific worries, separating things that can actually be acted upon from things that cannot, establishing healthier routines, limiting excessive exposure to distressing information, improving sleep habits and finding someone trustworthy to talk with. If the anxiety is persistent or interfering with daily life, professional support is important.
The Person Going Through a Major Life Change
Divorce, retirement, bereavement, moving, financial difficulties, illness or an empty nest can completely change someone's emotional landscape. Even positive changes can create anxiety.
A person may suddenly find themselves thinking: “Who am I now?” Talking through those changes can help someone understand what they are experiencing rather than becoming overwhelmed by it.
The Person Who Has Become Isolated
Sometimes the warning sign isn't obvious anxiety.
It is withdrawal.
A person stops answering messages.
They stop seeing friends.
Activities they once enjoyed no longer interest them.
They may say they simply want to be left alone.
That is a good time for someone who loves them to gently reach out.
Not with judgment.
Not with “You need to snap out of it.”
But with: “I've noticed you've been having a difficult time. I'm here. Would you like to talk?”
The Person Experiencing Panic
Someone experiencing panic may genuinely believe they are having a medical emergency.
Their heart races. They may feel dizzy, short of breath, shaky or detached from their surroundings.
Those symptoms should never automatically be assumed to be psychological. New, severe or unexplained physical symptoms deserve appropriate medical evaluation. But when panic has been identified, learning what is happening in the body—and learning practical strategies for managing it—can be enormously helpful.
Where I Fit In
Over the years, many people have come to me because they are struggling emotionally and don't know where else to begin. My role is not to replace a physician, psychologist, psychiatrist or other mental-health professional. What I can offer is a different kind of conversation—one in which a person can slow down, talk openly and look at what is happening in their life from a practical and compassionate perspective.
Sometimes people don't need someone to tell them what to do. They need someone to help them organize the chaos. Together, we may look at what is creating the greatest stress, what is within their control, what isn't, what practical steps they can take and who else should be part of their support system. For some people, that conversation becomes a bridge to seeking professional help. And that can be an extremely important bridge.
Asking for Help Is Not Weakness
There is still unnecessary stigma surrounding mental health and well-being. People sometimes believe that asking for help means they are weak, incapable or somehow failing. I see it differently.
Recognizing that you are struggling—and being willing to reach out—is an act of self-awareness.
You don't have to wait until you are completely overwhelmed.
You don't have to wait until you cannot get out of bed.
You don't have to wait until your relationships are falling apart.
You can ask for help before the situation reaches a crisis.
We Need Each Other
Perhaps the most important thing we can do for one another is become better listeners.
We don't always need to have the perfect answer.
We don't need to diagnose our friends.
We don't need to fix everything.
Sometimes we simply need to notice. “You don't seem like yourself lately. How are you really doing?”
And then we need to be willing to listen to the answer.
If someone tells you they are struggling, believe them.
If they tell you they are overwhelmed, don't dismiss it.
If they tell you they are frightened, don't tell them they have nothing to be afraid of.
Meet them where they are.
And if their situation requires professional help, encourage them to seek it.
There Is No Shame in Getting Support
Mental health and well being is part of being human. We all experience periods of stress, uncertainty, grief and emotional difficulty. Some people need additional support to move through those experiences, and there is absolutely no shame in that.
A trusted friend can be a lifeline.
A loving family member can be a lifeline.
A physician can be a lifeline.
A therapist or counsellor can be a lifeline.
And sometimes, a conversation with someone who simply listens without judgment can be the first step toward finding the help a person needs. You don't have to carry everything by yourself.
And if someone you care about is struggling, don't underestimate the power of simply letting them know: “I'm here. You don't have to go through this alone.”
If you or someone you care about is experiencing severe emotional distress, thoughts of suicide, self-harm, or harming others, or feels unable to remain safe, please reach out for immediate help through local emergency services or a crisis support service. Reaching out is not a sign of weakness—it is an important step toward getting the support you deserve. And because emotional and physical symptoms can sometimes overlap, new, severe, or unexplained physical symptoms should also be discussed with a qualified medical professional.
