Women more likely to seek counselling for anxiety


Women are much more likely to go to a counsellor for problems with anxiety than their male counterparts.

Figures from NHS clinics across England in 2012/13 show that over three-fifths (62 per cent) of the 750,000 people referred for counselling for anxiety or depression were women, according to the Daily Telegraph.

Younger people were also found to be much more likely to seek help than older generations. The 21 to 49 age group made up the lion’s share (71 per cent) of referrals, while those in their 20s contributed the most to the number having counselling for such conditions.

Almost 200,000 people in their 20s were referred for help, in stark comparison to fewer than 50,000 in their 60s and fewer than 20,000 in their 70s.

Beth Murphy, head of information at mental health charity Mind, said: “Women are much more likely to seek help than men and are more willing to talk about their own mental wellbeing. All the signs suggest that more and more people are seeking help for mental health problems.”

She added that factors such as unemployment and cuts to welfare could be taking their toll on the nation’s wellbeing.

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