How To Observe Mental Health Week UK To Improve Mental Health And Wellbeing

In 2025, Mental Health Awareness Week in the UK takes place from May 12 through May 18. The purpose of this campaign is to spread awareness about the importance of emotional well-being and to let people know that support is available. Guided by the mission of increasing understanding of mental health, Mental Health Awareness Week encourages millions of people from all different parts of society to come together to fight against the stigma surrounding mental health concerns and promote mental wellbeing on a national scale.

Here, you can explore more about what Mental Health Week UK is, its history, and how you can get involved, plus ways that those living in the United Kingdom can receive care from a counselor. 

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What is Mental Health Week UK?

Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event in the UK that happens each May. It's put on by the Mental Health Foundation (MHF) charity, and it's reportedly “one of the most high-profile public campaigns in the UK.”

The history of Mental Health Week UK and the charity behind it

The Mental Health Foundation is a UK-based organization founded in 1949 and headquartered in London. According to their website, the MHF is “the only UK charity solely focused on preventing poor mental health and building and protecting good mental health.” 

The Mental Health Foundation organized the first Mental Health Awareness Week in 2001. The purpose of this week is to spread awareness across the UK about common mental health challenges as well as practices to improve this aspect of wellbeing. The organization aims to accomplish these goals by compiling mental health resources, spreading the word on social media, advocating for policy changes, and encouraging individuals and communities to get involved. 

The theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week UK

Each year, the Mental Health Foundation selects a different theme for Mental Health Awareness Week. The official theme for 2025 is “community,” highlighting the importance of strong social connections. As the MHF states on their website, being a part of a positive community “can make life feel more meaningful and enjoyable, help us feel happier and safer, and improve our mental health.” 

There's a wealth of research to support the foundation's focus on community and its close ties to mental well-being. For example, consider a 2022 research review on the topic, which suggests that social connectedness is a key determinant of health and that it may protect against depressive symptoms and disorders in adults. 

In addition, various studies have linked chronic loneliness to an increased risk of a variety of negative health outcomes, from anxiety and depression to dementia, heart disease, and diabetes. Being socially connected to one's community—friends, family, neighbors, and others—can help people feel supported and less alone. People who have or gain support systems may also receive the benefit of them acting as a protective factor against various health challenges.

Past themes of Mental Health Awareness Week UK

The theme for Mental Health Awareness Week is different each year. Themes from previous years include the following:

• Movement
• Anxiety
• Loneliness
• Nature
• Kindness
• Body image 

Children’s Mental Health Week: Starting conversations early

While Mental Health Awareness Week focuses on promoting mental health more broadly, there are other campaigns that focus on mental health among certain populations, such as Children’s Mental Health Week. Organized by the charity Place2Be, Children’s Mental Health Week is celebrated every February to honor children’s mental health and help people learn more about how to support positive mental health among young people. As with Mental Health Awareness Week, Children’s Mental Health Week has a new theme each year. In 2025, the theme,“Know Yourself, Grow Yourself,” encourages children to learn more about who they are, develop confidence in themselves, and build resilience. In 2026, the theme is “This is My Place,” which emphasizes the importance of creating environments for children and young people that promote belonging, safety, and strong connections.

The impacts of this campaign on public well-being

The importance of spreading mental health awareness

In the past, the topic of mental health was heavily stigmatized in many communities and cultures. While the stigma persists today, strides have been made in reducing it. This can be important work because stigma can lead to shame and embarrassment, which may sometimes be powerful enough to prevent a person experiencing mental health challenges from reaching out for help. In reality, seeking mental health support can be a sign of strength and is nothing to be ashamed of, and campaigns like Mental Health Awareness Week aim to spread this message. 

UK mental health statistics

Statistics about mental health in the UK reflect the need for the continuation of campaigns like Mental Health Awareness Week, which raise awareness and share resources about emotional wellbeing. Here are some key figures to consider about mental health in the United Kingdom:

• Around a quarter of people in the UK will experience a mental health challenge at some point in a given year. 
• There were 6,069 deaths by suicide in England and Wales in 2023, the highest rate since 1999.
• In 2023, 20% of children and young people between the ages of eight and 16 had “a probable mental disorder.”
• Approximately 34% of UK adults surveyed in 2024 say they “always” or “often” experienced “high or extreme levels of pressure or stress” in the last year.

If you or someone you know is struggling or in crisis, help is available. Text or call 988 or chat 988lifeline.org. Support is available 24/7.

Why awareness matters: Government initiatives, suicide prevention, and support for recovery

These statistics underscore the immense importance of coming together as a society to support mental health, reduce stigma, and ensure individuals experiencing mental health concerns can receive the treatment they need to recover. Furthering this mission can come in the form of creating and supporting key government initiatives, suicide prevention programs, public safety and awareness efforts, clear recovery pathways, and more. 

Getting involved: How you can participate in Mental Health Awareness Week through the Mental Health Foundation charity

There are many ways individuals can help spread mental health awareness this May and year-round. Below are several examples to explore:

• Checking in on family and friends
• Speaking openly with loved ones about your own mental health challenges
• Avoiding the use of stigmatizing or judgmental language related to mental health 
• Volunteering with a local mental health charity in your area to engage in positive community participation
• Seeking the support of a therapist or counselor if you are experiencing mental health challenges 
• Putting up MHF posters in your school or workplace and sharing social media graphics to promote mental health awareness
• Wearing a green ribbon or green shirt to show your support for mental health awareness
• Creating a fundraiser to support a mental health charity or cause you identify with
• Hosting an event in your local community to celebrate mental wellbeing and using MHF posters and graphics to promote the event you’ve organised

These are just a handful of potential ways you can participate in Mental Health Awareness Week, but there are many other ways you can spread awareness and promote mental health. Any actions, steps, or activities that give you a clear sense of purpose surrounding mental health can be impactful.

Other ways to promote mental health, confidence, and resilience during Mental Health Week

In addition to spreading awareness about the importance of mental health and the availability of resources, there are many steps you can take to promote your own emotional well-being. First, participating in regular self-care can be beneficial. Engaging in exercise often, building meaningful relationships with family and friends, eating nutrient-dense meals, and getting enough sleep are just a few examples. Setting boundaries, speaking up for your needs, journaling, and practicing positive self-talk can also be nourishing practices that help you build confidence and cultivate resilience. In addition, pursuing activities that give you a sense of purpose can also be valuable; these can be different for each individual but might involve creating art, volunteering, taking steps to fight for a cause you believe in, building strong connections with others in your community, or taking time to explore who you are on a deeper level. 

Seeking mental health care when you need support as you navigate life’s challenges is another important example. Whether you're living with signs of a condition like depression or anxiety, are facing low self-esteem or hopelessness, or are having trouble coping with relationship conflict or major life changes, a compassionate therapist or counselor can provide support. 

Seeking counseling in the UK

Individuals living in the UK have several options for seeking the support of a counselor. First, the National Health Service (NHS) offers free counseling. You can request a referral for an appointment online. Non-NHS providers may also be available for those who are able to pay for the services out of pocket or who have insurance.

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The option of online therapy for mental well-being

Another paid option is to sign up for a virtual therapy platform like BetterHelp. This type of service will automatically match you with a counselor based on your answers to a brief questionnaire, and you can then meet with them virtually from any location with an internet connection. Individuals in the UK can get BetterHelp subscriptions as low as £45 per week, billed every four weeks. Pricing is based on factors such as the individual's location, referral source, preferences, therapist availability,y and any applicable discounts or promotions that might apply. Research suggests that online therapy can often be as effective as in-person care, and many people find it both comfortable and convenient to meet with a provider from home.