AI art gallery of anxiety symptoms outside London Waterloo ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week

A collection of AI art, generated from quotes describing real life anxiety symptoms, has been installed outside London Waterloo station, ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week. The British Association for Counselling and Psychotherapy’s (BACP) latest campaign ‘Anxiety is…’ illustrates symptoms of anxiety to prompt the public to recognise and address these feelings so they don’t suffer in silence and accept them as the norm.
Recent research from BACP’s annual Public Perceptions Survey reveals anxiety is the most common mental health problem experienced in the UK with 49% of Brits stating they have had anxiety in the last five years. Despite this, only 26% of people say they would see a counsellor or psychotherapist to help cope with emotional difficulties or mental health problems.
As this year’s theme of Mental Health Awareness Week is anxiety, BACP wants to highlight the importance of recognising and responding effectively to these feelings, so they don’t become overwhelming. It’s important to seek qualified support from a qualified counsellor or psychotherapist as no one should suffer in silence.
Sahara Patel is part of the focus group which offered quotes to inform the AI art. Her quote described her anxiety as ‘like cling film had been wrapped tighter and tighter around her chest’.
When asked about her involvement in the campaign Sahara (29) commented: “I’ve suffered with anxiety since I was a child, but it wasn’t until I was much older that I looked for support from a counsellor to help me cope with my feelings.
“Having a chance to help someone recognise their anxiety symptoms through my experience and the lens of AI art is very rewarding. Growing up, I had a hard time recognising my symptoms of anxiety but seeing my quote worked up as a piece of art has been cathartic. It’s captured my feelings perfectly and it’s visually striking as well.
“I hope this campaign will resonate with people and get people to seek qualified help should they need it.”
BACP Chair, Natalie Bailey commented: “I’m sure these images will resonate with people currently living with anxiety symptoms and we hope they encourage people to seek help before these feelings become overwhelming and potentially even debilitating.
“Counselling can help people explore the cause of feelings of anxiety, understand them and suggest ways of dealings with situations.
“It’s important people seek support from a qualified therapist who is trained to offer a safe, confidential, non-judgemental place to explore and address these feelings.
“Access to therapy is vital to help address the increasing prevalence of mental health issues in the population.
“This is why BACP has long been calling for increased investment to improve choice and access in a range of settings, such as the NHS, schools, third sector and workplaces.
“Counselling changes lives and it’s important it’s readily available to those who need it.”
BACP Accredited Psychotherapist and Coach, Anthony Davis stated: “Anxiety remains the most common mental health issue in the UK and is certainly one of the most frequent issues clients come to me with.
“However, its prevalence also means it is becoming normalised and accepted as a normal experience of everyday life, so people are struggling to recognise when they are suffering with anxiety and when to get help.
“Anxiety manifests itself in different ways which is one of the reasons why it can be difficult for people to spot. It’s really important people prioritise their mental health rather than accepting common issues like anxiety as the norm.”
For more information visit www.bacp.co.uk/anxietyis