Mental health support for the architectural community through Anxiety UK

Perfectionism
Given the nature of their work, it is no surprise that perfectionism is a common theme within the architectural community. Perfectionism can be a useful tool when your work requires attention to detail and intricate planning. However when perfectionism leads to stress and/or anxiety it becomes unhealthy. Another common reason why anxiety is present within the architectural community is stress due to taking on too much pressure or dealing with high expectations particularly exacerbated by those that run their own firms (Linked in).

Work life balance
Work life balance can be difficult in all careers; it is important to recognise if this balance is off and put things in place to ensure it doesn’t have an impact on your mental health. Check in with yourself regularly, assess how you are feeling without judgement. Talk to your manager or colleagues about your workload; is there some wiggle room with a certain deadline? Does someone else have the capacity to help with your project? Would flexible working hours be an option? Have these conversations, it’s likely you’re not the only one feeling this way. It’s estimated 1 in 3 employees experience unmanageable stress at work.

Work life balance has become particularly trying with a lot of people working from home due to the pandemic. Boundaries become blurred; we may be working from a space that used to be a work-free sanctuary. With no commute we may feel obligated to work a little longer and an extra 30 minutes may become an extra few hours. This all adds up and takes a toll on our energy levels. Bearing in mind this is just a small part of the ongoing effects of a very tough time. The pandemic has brought financial worry, isolation from loved ones and of course the physical illness and potential long term effects of coronavirus.

Self-care
Make sure you are eating well – there is evidence to support the fact that gut microbes have a major impact on our brain and our behaviour, especially in stress related disorders such as anxiety. Get some exercise in – regular exercise can be hugely effective in managing anxiety and doesn’t have to be challenging. A quick walk to get some fresh air will do wonders. Think about what makes you feel good and give yourself permission to do that thing. This could be something as little as “I give myself permission to enjoy my afternoon cup of tea with no interruptions”. Watch Anxiety UK’s video on the practical ways of dealing with anxiety:

Practical ways for dealing with anxiety

Extra support
If you feel you need some extra support maybe you would benefit from talking therapy. Talking therapies are some of the most effective tools for treating anxiety disorders, they can help you to learn how to manage and overcome your anxiety. Anxiety UK offers a range of therapies to suit each individual. As face-to-face therapy has not been an option under the current circumstances; instead clients have been able to access therapy either online or via telephone. The therapy services that we provide include counselling, cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT), compassion focussed therapy (CFT), Eye Movement Detection Reprogramming (EMDR) and clinical hypnotherapy.

You may have heard it before but it really is ok not to be ok. Although things are getting better some people may still feel embarrassed about how they are feeling. Anxiety is more common that you think; 1 in 6 members of an average workforce are affected by a mental health condition. Of those reaching out to ABS for support in 2020, 45% of them were applying for help with their mental health. Also during this time, together ABS and Anxiety UK provided 758 hours of therapy to beneficiaries (ABS). You are not alone and there is help available.

Support from Anxiety UK through ABS
If you are a member of the architectural community, accessing this support could not be easier. The friendly staff at ABS and Anxiety UK will do all the work for you. You can get more information on eligibility here and could access Anxiety UK’s therapy services fully funded. You simply need to contact ABS or complete the application form online. Then, with a therapy referral form, ABS will refer you to the therapy services team at Anxiety UK who will then arrange a wellbeing assessment in order to make a recommendation for appropriate treatment or support. Anxiety UK will provide a recommendation to ABS arising from this wellbeing assessment, including details of the type of therapy recommended (e.g. counselling, CBT, CFT, EMDR or clinical hypnotherapy), method of delivery (e.g. face to face when available again/telephone/online) and the number of sessions recommended as part of the overall recommended care plan.

Once this has been approved, you will be allocated to one of Anxiety UK’s qualified and accredited therapists practising throughout the country. On average the whole process from referral to therapist contact including wellbeing assessment takes around 2 weeks.

Following the assessment, you will also have access to one year’s membership with Anxiety UK which currently includes the following benefits which are subject to change…

• Discount to Anxiety UK groups & courses: online anxiety support group, therapist-led anxiety management course, Calm Club and Art for Anxiety Relief (AFAR) course.
• Subscription to Anxious Times magazine
• Members’ only online area and other free online resources
• Members’ only online message boards
• Free copy of Understanding Anxiety or Caregivers Guide
• Free access to the online CBT programme, Beating the Blues
• 25% discount on purchases of Kalms Lavender One-A-Day
• 25% discount on Remy Sleep weighted blankets
• 25% discount on The Mood Club cards for me range
• 10% off a Listening Books membership

The main message to take away is that life can be difficult, everyone has some experience of this. There is nothing wrong with reaching out for help. It’s important to look after yourself and there are services available should you need that extra support.

Anxiety UK offers a number of further helpful resources on their website.

Our ABS Helpline is 020 3918 8588