It has been a learning journey meeting people with various anxiety disorders, ranging from general anxiety and high-functioning anxiety to phobias and agoraphobia. We’ve spoken with individuals who shared how anxiety affects their daily lives, making it difficult to focus, sleep, or carry out routine activities. Some shared that it became difficult to continue with work or studies, while for others, it has strained their relationships with loved ones.
The key thing we have learnt is that every individual’s experience is unique. The causes and manifestations of anxiety are deeply personal. That’s why, at LYEONS, we believe that personalised approaches must remain at the heart of our development.
The Silent Struggle and the Importance of Support
According to the World Health Organization, over 300 million people worldwide suffer from anxiety disorders. But these aren’t just statistics—they are our parents, friends, and children. Anxiety can take many forms, from separation anxiety to health-related anxiety and more. The challenge is that it often grows silently, and when help is finally sought, delays in specialist appointments can lead to a crisis.
Recent NHS data analysed by Rethink Mental Illness reveals that people are eight times more likely to wait over 18 months for mental health treatment than for physical health care. Over 16,500 people are still waiting for mental health treatment after 18 months, compared to just over 2,000 for elective physical treatments. Waiting times for mental health services have nearly doubled in recent years, with patients now facing waits of up to 658 days.
One profound insight we have gained is the impact of connection with people. Many people have told us that since meeting a supportive partner or finding a friend they can talk to, their anxiety has significantly improved. Research from Better Health Channel (2021), shows that social connections can lower anxiety and depression, boost self-esteem, increase empathy, and strengthen relationships.
An article from BerkeleyExecEd, The Importance of Connections on Our Well-Being, highlights, “Research has shown that the psychological and physical health benefits of social contact are so great that they can even outweigh the harmful effects of other risk factors and boost life expectancy.”
Based on our interviews, feeling understood and having a safe space to express themselves has been a turning point in their journey. This raises an essential question for us: how can we create that sense of safety for more people?
LYEONS’ Vision: Creating a Safe Zone
A safe zone, as we envision it, can be understood through the lens of Social Baseline Theory (SBT), which highlights how social proximity and human connection reduce the emotional cost of life’s challenges. According to Coan and Maresh (2014), when individuals feel safe within their relationships, it supports emotional regulation and minimises the energy required to cope with stress.
A safe zone is different from a comfort zone. It’s a space where people can grow, stumble, and still feel secure enough to rise again. With a foundation of safety, individuals can challenge themselves and take the next steps towards growth and resilience. There is often pressure to push beyond one’s comfort zone, but without a sense of safety, this can lead to burnout rather than growth. True progress happens when people feel secure enough to take risks without the fear of collapse. A safe zone allows individuals to expand their boundaries at a pace that supports long-term well-being, rather than exhaustion.
“What are you scared of? I am here for you. Face it.” My parents always said this. It can make all the difference in facing fears and moving forward. That is what LYEONS aims to create—a safe zone where people feel supported, empowered, and ready to take the next step toward growth and stability.
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