Mental health has become a very serious issue in today’s world. But there is a big problem with it – the stigma present in people. Some people want to take advantage by calling mental illnesses fake, which suppresses the voice of real victims. Andy Horner from West Yorkshire, who you know as “Anxious Andy”, is coming forward as a strong voice in this regard.
Andy is gradually active through his website and social media on how we can bring a paradigm change in society towards mental illness. He has expressed concern about the people committing fraud in PIP (Personal Independence Payment) and said that due to such people, the stigma of mental illness is increasing.
His experience and his voice send a message across the country – “Real help is needed, not just a pretense.”
Andy’s personal journey: Struggle and light
The struggle started from childhood
Andy was born in Bradford, West Yorkshire. He had anxiety as a child, and mental health awareness was very low at that time. He had horrific childhood memories of going to school he had to resort to imaginary friends.
The education system and abandonment
He faced rejection and helplessness at school. He went to a few private schools but could not stick to his studies due to anxiety, which led to a drop in self-esteem.
Adult life and struggle
The impact of abusive relationships and personal tragedies in life continued to affect him deeply. He experienced firsthand how difficult it is to get the right therapy for mental illness. He went to psychiatric hospitals many times, and had to call an ambulance in case of an overdose.
Initiatives and contributions of “Anxious Andy”
Social media and website
Andy has more than 90k followers on Instagram.
He created a website (anxiousandy.com) where people can find crisis support, distraction games, nature sounds, and more for free.
Fighting the brutal truth
He openly says that some people try to take antidepressants and get benefits (such as PIP) by making false diagnoses.
This humiliates real patients and does not get support. Andy says that clinical diagnoses made in villages need to be investigated and looked into more deeply. Only real people should get the benefit.
Demand for therapy and NHS improvement
Andy raised the issue of improving psychiatric care, especially making therapies like DBT (Dialectical Behavior Therapy) available at the community level. He also said that there may be complaints of overdiagnosis in mental health, but without proper diagnosis and care, good results are not possible.
The problems they are fighting against
1. Stigma and identity
It is difficult to identify mental illness from the outside. Due to this, genuine people do not get help, and fake people take advantage
brand.
2. Weakness in the assessment process
Most assessments are based on the problems shown and external behavior. There is no internal complex diagnosis, due to which genuine victims do not get their rights.
3. Lack of therapy and crisis support
Andy said that the help of the crisis team and Single Point of Access is often not available, and he had to go to the hospital repeatedly. This led to donations and no care.
Government’s role and possible changes
The UK government is criticising overdiagnosis in mental health diagnoses and benefit claimants. Health Secretary Wes Streeting said that if early support is provided, people can stay in work. But anti-stigma groups and Labour MPs such as Andy Burnham believe that the new rule may affect the poor more.
Concerns were raised in Parliament about the PIP rules that mental illness should be understood properly and benefits should be given only on the basis of treatment
Way forward and expected improvements
- Deep assessments: No one should be given mental illness benefits based on a mere superficial evaluation.
- Increase community care: Services like accessible therapy – DBT will have to be brought into primary care.
- Educate employers: Mental health awareness training is essential to reduce stigma in workplaces and make workers feel safe, Andy says.
- Educational reform: Mental health education in schools is important to create early awareness in society, Andy suggests.
At the end,
Andy Horner, “Anxious Andy,” is using the pain of his life to bring about transformation in society. His goal is to cry out for mental illness, provide support, and help those who are genuinely suffering.
He also wants the government and the NHS to improve benefits and therapies to improve the situation. It is a message to society to take mental health issues seriously, and not just for show.
His journey proves that “change” can only happen through advocacy, and true soldiers like Andy are making that difference every day.
