Take ACTION – Mental Health Awareness Week

This year, Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 11th to 17th May. It is a campaign that highlights the importance of good mental health, challenges stigma and promotes practical actions people can take to support their own wellbeing.

Mental health is just as important as physical health. It shapes how we think, feel and connect with those around us and can often depend on the pressures of everyday life. For something so important, it is strange to think how difficult it can be to open up and discuss it.

This is just one of the reasons why awareness campaigns are so important. It gives everyone the chance to discuss mental health in everyday conversation and also opens the door for it to be discussed in homes, schools, workplaces and communities.

Around 1 in 5 adults in the UK have a common mental health condition such as anxiety and depression, this proportion is higher among young people aged 16-24. 

One of the most powerful things we can do for mental health is to be honest.

Honest about how we are feeling, when things feel heavy, when we need support and honest enough to ask someone else “How are you really doing?”.

Even the smallest actions can make a difference to someone;

• Checking in with a friend
• Taking a proper break and getting outside for some fresh air
• Setting boundaries
• Reaching out when things feel difficult

At work, creating a culture where people feel supported and valued is essential. Promoting wellbeing, encouraging balance, and fostering open communication helps build healthier teams and stronger connections.

During Mental Health Awareness Week, we encourage everyone to take a moment to reflect on their own wellbeing and continue supporting one another — not just this week, but throughout the year.