“Sometimes I feel dizzy, wobbly or as though I’m going to faint. Having a seat and a moment to compose myself makes all the difference.”
These are the words of 31-year-old Claire Eastham, a mental health campaigner and writer who has suffered with anxiety her whole life.
She recently took part in Transport for London’s new scheme to provide priority seating for those suffering with disabilities not obvious to other commuters.
The campaign provides free badges to those who might need a seat on the train due to an invisible condition such as poor eye sight or a mental health issue.
Speaking to the Standard Miss Eastham revealed that she was diagnosed with anxiety in 2013.
“I live with social anxiety disorder and suffer from panic attacks,” she said.
“The tube was the worst for me, I really struggled. I used to worry about fainting and being crushed or trampled on.
“In the past I would have been afraid to ask for a seat, but the badge removes this fear."
Miss Eastham featured on poster for the campaign which showed people explaining why they need a seat and said she was “proud to be a part of it.”
She said it highlighted the importance of “about taking mental health seriously.”
“It’s about awareness and talking about it and making people feel confident enough to say 'yes I am depressed',” she said.
Nicky Lidbetter, Chief Executive at Anxiety UK also praised TfL’s efforts to raise awareness around invisible disabilities.
She said: “Anxiety disorders often give rise to huge challenges around travel for those that are affected by such conditions and so is it is truly heartening to see hidden disabilities given equal recognition through this important and much-needed campaign.
“I applaud TfL for ensuring that mental health has parity of esteem with physical health disabilities and would encourage others with responsibility for transport across the UK to follow suit.”
Dr Amit Patel is also included in TfL’s campaign.
After suffering an aneurism which left him blind at the age of 32, Dr Patel has frequently encountered difficulty when travelling on the tube.
He said: “I’m really pleased to see TfL proactively raising awareness about priority seating. Travelling with a disability, whether hidden or not can be challenging, scary and sometimes even disorienting.
“Not everyone has the confidence to ask for a seat and not everyone will always be wearing a badge either.
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“I would urge my fellow commuters to be more conscious of those around them when travelling, particularly if you’re sat in a priority seat, and please be brave, be kind, and offer it to someone who looks like they might appreciate it.”
Mark Evers, TfL’s Chief Customer Officer said: “Making sure all our customers can travel comfortably and safely is really important to us. Priority Seating Week is a great way of reminding us all that not all conditions are visible, and to give up our seat to those who may need it more.”
