Britons are becoming increasingly anxious, and a nationwide campaign is needed to protect the public's mental health, according to a report released on Tuesday.

Of 2,200 adults polled for the Mental Health Foundation, 77 per cent said the world is more frightening now than in 1999.

Authors of the report, In the Face of Fear, said "worst-case-scenario language" used by politicians, public interest groups, businesses and media on topics such as crime, terrorism and bird flu could have a harmful effect by constantly highlighting danger.

The global economic downturn could be fuelling anxiety. Of those surveyed, 49 per cent of people said they were worried about money, and 66 per cent were fearful about the current financial situation in general.

"We have experienced an unprecedented number of inquiries since the beginning of the year from people seeking help, largely due to the economic crisis," said Nicky Lidbetter, chief executive of Anxiety U.K., in a statement.

Escaping economic crisis

(Source: The Mental Health Foundation) Anxiety also drove the recession since people panicked instead of thinking logically, the report said.

"Individuals and institutions — keen to protect themselves — are now too afraid to lend, spend and invest, despite the fact that these actions could assistin endingtherecession,"saidthereport.

"Rising levels of fear in the U.K. are contributing to the current economic crisis and hindering efforts to escape it,"it added.

Younger people consistently reported greater fear than older people, while women were more than twice as likely to say they experienced anxiety thanmen.

A mental health promotion campaign that showed people how to look after their own mental health would help, said the group's executive director, Dr. Andrew McCulloch.

The group also called for free leaflets and self-help books, and improved access to cognitive behavioural therapy.

Anxiety can lead to health problems such as heart disease, gastrointestinal difficulties, asthma and allergies.

Opinium Research carried out the online poll of 2,246 British adults for the Mental Health Foundation from Jan. 5-8. The report also included research by the Office of National Statistics.