Ben tackles loneliness for Mental Health Awareness Week

Ben is aiming to tackle loneliness with the launch of a social anxiety programme to coincide with Mental Health Awareness Week (May 9-15).

The automotive sector charity's recent Health and Wellbeing survey indicated that 31% of sector employees have suffered from loneliness – an increase of 23% from the previous year.

Loneliness saw an increase in the over 45s, factory workers, and among those who have retired from the industry, while one-in-two automotive workers confirmed that they have issues managing their mental health

To help support those who are struggling with social anxiety and loneliness, Ben has launched a new ‘Space from Social Anxiety’ program on the SilverCloud platform – designed specifically to help people find out about symptoms, understand its causes, and develop coping strategies to manage their social anxiety.

Rachel Clift, health and wellbeing director at Ben, said: “If you suffer from loneliness, you are not alone. Our recent survey highlighted the huge impact that COVID has had on the mental health of our community and loneliness and social anxiety have risen sharply over the past twelve months.

“Our industry is one of the most affected by mental health issues, so we want everyone in the automotive community to know that while they may feel alone, they aren’t. We are here, ready to help and support them through whatever challenges life may be throwing at them right now and in the future.

“Social anxiety and loneliness can be managed, and we have a number of ways we can support people who are struggling, including our new SilverCloud program ‘Space from Social Anxiety. During Mental Health Awareness week, we want to reach out to our automotive family and offer them a helping hand. You don’t have to face loneliness or social anxiety alone.”

The charity's annual flagship black tie event – Ben Ball – will return for 2022 and be held on December 7.

The program is free to use and uses cognitive behavioural therapy (CBT) techniques to develop coping strategies to help deal with life’s challenges.

Ben also recently launched an online self-referral route to access its free life coaching service.

Sign up to the SilverCloud Space from Social Anxiety programme and get more hints and tips on how to tackle social anxiety on the Ben website.