What is Mental Health Awareness Week and Why do we Need it?

Welcome to Serene Creations blog,

This month’s post is dedicated to Mental Health Awareness Week, with the 2026 theme being ‘Action’, chosen by the Mental Health Foundation. As they put it, “... even small actions can help us feel hopeful and less powerless. And while our individual actions matter, when we come together we are even more powerful”.

This charity has highlighted three ways in which the public can take action;

1) For ourselves, by choosing one positive action that can help boost our mental wellbeing

2) For someone else, by encouraging mentally positive environments within our communities

3) For all of us, by having people in power ensure good mental health for everyone in the UK

Before exploring these points further, let’s get back to basics on mental health and why campaigns like this one exist in the first place. According to the Big Mental Health Report from 2025 by another mental health charity, Mind, 1 in 5 adults in England (and a likely similar pattern in Wales) is living with a common mental health problem, with the rates steadily rising. With a statistic this high, even if you, the reader, aren’t directly affected by a mental health problem, you are likely to know someone who is affected, including loved ones or colleagues (Mental Health Foundation, 2026).

This report also highlights reasons why mental health problems may be rising, ranging from the Cost of Living Crisis to the rise of Social Media. However, there is also a recent increase in stigma towards those dealing with mental health issues as more people are becoming less tolerant with an “... increasingly negative public discourse about mental health…” from politicians and the media. This negative public discourse, such as “young people are just workshy”, undermines the progress mental health charities have made in recent years in encouraging positive attitudes and disproving these myths and lies (Mind, 2025).

There is also the issue of the UK Government not prioritising mental health services and reducing the finances available for NHS mental health services. “When the UK government doesn’t prioritise mental health services, it gives the message that mental health isn’t important. By investing in … solutions that improve the lives of people living with a mental health problem, this sends a clear signal that these individuals should be treated with dignity and respect” (Mind, 2025). This is why campaigns are very important: to help start and sustain positive conversations about mental health and to ensure these statistics are not forgotten or ignored, especially by those in power.

 

How do we actually take action though?

Let’s explore the first two points in more depth.

1) For Ourselves

As highlighted, you can choose one positive action to help boost your mental wellbeing. When it comes to improving mental wellbeing, you have choices on where you want your focus to go. This is because every part of life can impact your mental wellbeing, including emotionally, physically, socially and spiritually.

If you wish to focus on your emotions & mental wellbeing, make time to self-reflect on what can actually help you right now. You could work on self-acceptance, identifying and actually sitting with feelings, boundary setting, taking time out of your day to practice mindfulness or to learn how to manage stress.

Once you know what you’d like to focus on, it’s easier to know what the next steps are. Do you need to journal? Visit the local library to find a self-acceptance or stress management book? Visit YouTube or download an app to practice mindfulness? Dedicate time in your calendar where you have 5 minutes or an hour just for yourself?

If you wish to focus on your physical health, explore good sleep hygiene habits, exercise, increase your water intake or book that GP appointment you keep putting off. Remember to take small steps and do what's achievable for your own circumstances, for example, if you cannot complete an intense workout, if approved by your medical practitioner/GP, try chair yoga.

If you wish to focus on your social life, why not volunteer, join a local class to learn something new and meet new people, join a club in a hobby you’re interested in or simply make time for a loved one or friend you haven’t seen in a while.

If you wish to focus on your spirituality, try setting goals for the year, connect with nature, reflect, pray or practice gratitude, or do an act of kindness for someone.

Top Tip: You can turn this one positive action for yourself into a regular occurrence by identifying a need you have, or most wish to fulfil, create a goal to meet that need, and break that goal into smaller, actionable steps that you can realistically achieve in your everyday life.

It’s important to remember that everyone’s circumstances are different, and not every suggestion will be suitable for everyone. Take what feels helpful, leave what doesn’t, and approach any changes with care and self-awareness. Use your own judgement and consider seeking professional guidance where appropriate.

2. For Someone Else

As previously noted, you can help others around you by encouraging mentally positive environments within your community, and again, there are choices on how you can go about this. The first one is raising awareness of these campaigns within your workplace, on your social media, at home or within educational settings. For instance, by promoting this campaign, this can lead to conversations as well as signposting to others where they can find out more information and what positive actions they can take to help improve their own mental wellbeing.

By raising awareness of this campaign within an environment of your choice, you are also showing that this is a safe space for others, that you are breaking the stigma, are being non-judgmental, and are helping raise awareness of where people can receive more information and help, which fosters a supportive system where people can have open and honest discussions.

You can also take time out of your week to volunteer for a local cause, whether that be in a charity shop or through an online opportunity. You could help out a neighbour, a loved one or a colleague, or simply acknowledge someone’s presence by making them a cup of tea. These small steps in reaching out first can help build a community with others, and building these social connections can help contribute towards positive mental wellbeing.

In fact, Jack.org, in relation with the Born This Way Foundation, co-founded and led by Lady Gaga with her mother, has an online course dedicated to building the skills and confidence people may need to safely support others who may be struggling with their mental health. Because whilst it’s important to foster and build safe spaces to have these conversations, it’s equally as important to protect your own mental wellbeing and boundaries. It is not your job to take on someone else’s struggles, but if you can hear someone out, you can then signpost them on to relevant charities or organisations.

If you believe someone is in immediate danger to themselves or others, contact the relevant emergency services; in the UK, the number to call is 999.

I’ll end this post by sharing some useful resources, including those discussed throughout this blog. Above all, remember to be aware of your own boundaries and limitations. Be a safe space for yourself too, and only engage in conversations or physical activities that feel safe, manageable, and appropriate for your own circumstances. If you need support after reading this blog, please visit this page. 

Don't forget to leave a comment over on our socials to let us know if you liked this blog, what topics you'd like to read about, and to keep up-to-date with our latest news. 

 

Useful Resources:

- Be There Certificate - https://www.betherecertificate.org/about

- UK-Based Help & Support - https://serenecreationshub.com/pages/help-and-resources

- 10 Keys for Happier Living - https://actionforhappiness.org/10-keys

 

References:

Alarming rise in mental health stigma says Mind, as research shows public attitudes to mental health worsening (2025). Available at: https://www.mind.org.uk/news-campaigns/news/alarming-rise-in-mental-health-stigma-says-mind-as-research-shows-public-attitudes-to-mental-health-worsening/ (Accessed: 07 May 2026).                                     

The Big Mental Health Report 2025. Mind. Available at: https://www.mind.org.uk/media/zianu2rn/mind_the-big-mental-health-report_digital4.pdf (Accessed: 07 May 2026).                                                                                                          

Mental Health Awareness Week (2026). Mental Health Foundation. Available at: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/mental-health-awareness-week (Accessed: 07 May 2026).