PALS ~ Preventing Anxiety, Loneliness & Stress was founded in September 2022 by Annabel Palmer.

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Who is behind PALS?

From 2009, Annabel worked as a teacher in Primary, Secondary and Higher Education. It was through her time as an education professional, along with her degree studies with The Open University, that her passion for physical and mental health became the driving force for her next venture. 

​Much of Annabel’s teaching career included teaching Physical, Social, Health Education (now often referred to as Wellbeing), involving a much needed holistic approach centred on nurturing, protecting and developing one's personal physical and mental wellbeing.  Despite this subject being delivered amongst children and young adults, they are far from the only audience who require this education. 

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What is the mission?

​With an overwhelming need for more conversation, more resources and more focus on mental health, not just in the UK but globally, Annabel decided to build an organisation with its initial focus being on the wellbeing of all.

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Why are PALS different?

PALS’s overriding focus is on ‘prevention over cure’. Depending on the learner this focus may, ideally, be on the prevention of the onset of ill mental health, or on minimising the severity and frequency of episodes of distress.

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Why are PALS needed?

​Fewer than 50% of people with ‘generalised anxiety disorder’ access treatment (Mental Health Foundation, 2022). According to the Office for National Statistics one in six adults in the UK are experiencing depression at any one time, and, globally, one person dies by suicide every forty seconds (World Health Organisation, 2023).

It is because of these devastating statistics that taking our mental health into our own hands, gently and wisely, is paramount.

Happily it does not have to be difficult implementing healthy practice into our routines.

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As someone who has been affected personally by mental health difficulties, Annabel has not only learnt from lived experience, but has seen first hand the distressing impacts that lack of mental health education can have.

As a society we urgently need to confront the epidemic of ill mental health, and ensure that policy makers, educators, parents, children and other individuals are given the knowledge, understanding and skills to care for themselves and others within a compassionate and supportive society, that welcomes open and honest conversations.

 

PALS aims to foster and nurture these ambitions.