Three-quarters more fearful now than ten years ago
A new poll shows that 77% find the world a more frightening place than 10 years ago, reports the BBC website.
The survey of 2000 people carried out by the Mental Health Foundation charity found that more than three quarters believe we live in a ‘culture of fear’. The report, entitled the Face of Fear, revealed that more than a third of those surveyed said they felt more worried an anxious than they used to.
The current economic climate is thought to be a factor, but not solely to blame. Other factors included the fear of constant surveillance through CCTV, knife crime, terrorism, as well as the ‘worst-case-scenario language’ used by politicians, businesses and public bodies.
Feelings of anxiety can contribute to the development of health problems, including heart disease, and the Mental Health Foundation caused for these increasing anxieties and fears to be addressed.
The Chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation, Dr Andrew McCulloch said: “A mental health promotion campaign that shows individuals how to look after their own mental health would be of immense public benefit, and help prevent common mental health problems like anxiety and depression.”