Bedfordshire sees rise in Stress and Anxiety – Why talking matters more than ever
Stress and anxiety are rising across Bedfordshire. New figures show more people are being admitted to hospital because they are struggling to cope. This is not just a number. It is a real warning sign that many people are suffering in silence.
In 2023–24, there were about 16,190 hospital admissions for anxiety in the NHS Bedfordshire, Luton and Milton Keynes area. This was up from 12,780 the year before. That is a big jump in only 12 months. At the same time, hospital admissions linked to stress also rose. They increased from around 1,370 in 2022–23 to 1,625 in 2023–24.
The Nuffield Trust, a leading health think-tank, has warned that people are not getting the support they need. NHS mental health services are under huge pressure. Long waiting times and limited services mean many people are left without help when they need it most.
This is where peer support can make a powerful difference.
Peer support is simple but life-changing. It means talking to someone who understands because they have been through similar struggles. It is not about being judged or told what to do. It is about being listened to, feeling safe, and knowing you are not alone.
One organisation leading the way is ‘For Men To Talk’, a peer support group for men living with anxiety, depression and grief. The group gives men a safe and comfortable place to talk openly, something many find hard to do.
Founder Luke Newman explains the importance of this:
“When men realise they are not the only ones feeling this way, something shifts. They open up, they feel lighter, and they start to heal. Peer support saves lives.”
‘For Men To Talk’ has grown quickly because the need is so great. It now offers physical, virtual, walking and fishing meetings, giving men different ways to connect. Some men prefer to sit and talk. Others find it easier to open up while walking side by side or fishing quietly together.
The group now runs meetings in:
- Ampthill, Bedfordshire
- Biggleswade, Bedfordshire
- Blunham, Bedfordshire
- Potton, Bedfordshire
- Shefford, Bedfordshire
- Flitwick, Bedfordshire
- Sandy, Bedfordshire
- St Neots, Cambridgeshire
- Gamlingay, Cambridgeshire
- Hitchin, Hertfordshire
- Stockport, Cheshire
These groups are helping men before they reach breaking point. They offer early support, friendship and understanding – things that cannot always be found in busy NHS services.
The rising hospital figures show that anxiety and stress are not going away. But they also show how important it is to build strong community support. When people talk, they cope better. When they cope better, fewer people end up in crisis.
If you or someone you know is struggling, reaching out could be the first step to feeling better.
Visit www.formentotalk.co.uk, call 07709 446480, or email luke@formentotalk.co.uk. You do not have to face stress and anxiety alone.