Over one million adults across Scotland have been prevented from living their day to day lives due to levels of anxiety, according to research.
The new study, conducted by the Mental Health Foundation, found that a huge number of Scots face levels of anxiety that interfere with their lives, with 70 per cent of adults across the county expected to have suffered with anxiety at one point.
The research, which polled 1,000 adults across Scotland, also suggested that as many as 58 per cent of adults across Scotland had experienced levels of anxiety that impacted their daily lives in the past two weeks.
The study findings marks the beginning of Mental Health Awareness Week from May 15 to May 21, with the charity raising the alarm about the impact of anxiety on adults all around Scotland.
As many as 27 per cent of adults said they had experienced anxiety to the extent it stopped them from doing what they want or need to do most or all of the time within the previous two week period.
Anxiety is very common but more than four in 10 (44 per cent) keep their anxious thoughts and feelings a secret, suggesting that a huge number of people are not comfortable sharing their own experiences and discussing their personal mental health.
It was also found that around one in five (21 per cent) of adults felt anxious most of or all the time, with 30 per cent saying they did not cope well with feelings of anxiety.
In terms of money worries, 33 per cent said they feel anxious about paying bills with 42 per cent explaining more financial security would help prevent anxiety.
Julie Cameron, associate director at Mental Health Foundation in Scotland, said: “Across Scotland more than one million adults are experiencing levels of anxiety that is stopping them from living their lives, with many not speaking out and struggling to cope.
“More can and must be done to protect our mental health. A big focus of our Mental Health Awareness Week is to encourage people to share their experiences on anxiety and increase understanding of the steps we can take. However, the scale of the problems requires change that goes beyond individual action.
“We urge the Scottish Government to publish a cross-departmental mental health strategy for the next 10 years with a delivery plan that contains commitments on mental health from all departments including those that cover social security, housing, communities, education, and criminal justice.
“We welcome the commitment to funding the Communities Mental Health & Wellbeing Fund in this year, but it is underfunded and not able to support all the worthy applicant community organisations; funding needs to be increased so people can get preventative mental health support before they become unwell."
Mental Wellbeing Minister Maree Todd said: “I welcome the Mental Health Foundation’s report, as it is an important contribution to a national discussion on mental health and wellbeing.
“Supporting and promoting the mental wellbeing of the population of Scotland is a Scottish Government priority. I know that many people are experiencing stress and anxiety right now, which is why looking after our mental health has never been more important.
“We are supporting and promoting the mental wellbeing of the population of Scotland in several ways, including investing £30 million in community-based support for children, young people, and adults.
“A range of support is currently available online for those needing mental health help, including Mind to Mind – a website which provides practical resources to support the mental wellbeing of the population of Scotland.
“Our forthcoming mental health and wellbeing strategy will focus on every part of what mental health and wellbeing means.
“That ranges from addressing the underlying reasons behind poor mental health; helping to create the conditions for people to thrive, challenging the stigma around mental health, and providing specialist help and support for mental illness.
“The Mental Health Foundation are a key stakeholder and have been working with us to develop the Strategy.”
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