Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW) is a nationwide yearly event, which begins today and was created by the Mental Health Foundation and focuses on achieving good mental health.The event has grown to become one of the biggest awareness weeks across the UK and globally.
Over the years it has become incredibly successful in raising awareness of the scale of mental illness amongst the population and removing the stigma about talking about mental health and aims to support communities, families and individuals in driving change towards a mentally healthy society for all.
Mental Health Awareness Week is open to everyone. It is all about starting conversations about mental health and the things in our daily lives that can affect it. The event raises awareness of particular issues by focusing on a different theme each year. From depression, to anxiety, to eating disorders, one in four of us will experience a mental health problem each year.
This year, the theme from the Mental Health Foundation is community “Together for good mental health”. Being part of a safe, positive community is vital for our mental health and wellbeing. We thrive when we have strong connections with other people and supportive communities that remind us we are not alone.
Communities can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and give us a sense of purpose. Communities connect, support, and give us a sense of belonging and purpose. From local to global, online to in-person, we all need community.Experiencing connection to each other and the world around us increases our wellbeing and sense of belonging. Together, we heal, and together, we thrive.
We all know about the benefits of healthy living. From an early age, we are taught about the importance of exercise, a balanced diet and good hygiene. We know that if we look after our bodies, we reduce the risk of illness and we feel better in ourselves.
People are not threatened by the word “health” and most people are willing to talk about it. However, place the word “mental” in front of it, and people may be much less willing to open up and share their experiences. The word “mental”still has negative connotations. It is still used as an adjective to describe something that was unreasoning, unreasonable, out-of-control or just plain crazy.Those who suffer are often, ashamed to speak of it. Those who are lucky enough to be free of mental illness are terrified of it.
Nobody wants to be seen as “mental” and this stigma is perhaps what is making it so difficult to engage in sensible, open discussion about “mental health”.The reality is, mental health affects every single one of us. The word “mental” simply refers to aspects or functions of the mind. Very few people would claim that they don’t have a mind, so why should we feel unable to discuss it?
Mental health charities report that one in four people will be affected by mental health problems at some point in their lives. That’s 25% of the population. One in twelve children and young people are affected by mental health difficulties that have a negative impact on their relationships, education and general well-being on a day-to-day basis.
Depression and anxiety are now the number one cause of long-term absence from work and mental health issues are estimated to cost Britain £70 billion each year. With so many of us affected and with such a cost to the economy, you would have thought that we would at least be able to talk openly about it.
However when it comes to mental illness, we still don't quite get how it all works. Our treatments, while sometimes effective, often are not. And the symptoms, involving a fundamental breakdown of our perceived reality, are existentially terrifying. There is something almost random about physical illness, in how it comes upon us ,a physical illness can strike anyone, and that in itself is almost comforting.
But mental illness often brings out a judgmental streak that would be unthinkably grotesque when applied to physical illness. Imagine telling someone with a broken leg to "snap out of it."
Imagine that a death by cancer was accompanied by the same smug head shaking that so often greets death by suicide. Mental illness is so qualitatively different that we feel it permissible to be judgmental. We might even go so far as to blame the sufferer. Because of the stigma involved it often leaves us much sicker.
The fact also remains those of us experiencing mental illness live in an unequal society. There’s no two ways about it. Stigma. Discrimination. Lack of support. Limited access to housing, employment and social security. It doesn’t make good reading.In a better organised world our lives would be less pressured into brokeness, despair and ill health.
Our minds, like our limbs, break under stress. Our lives within the capitalist system are harmed by the system, often we medicate not to make ourselves well, but in order to continue to function in a broken society, and capitalist system where our only immediate value is in how they exploit us.
We are living in very tough times at the moment and successive governments have become aware of the growing need to address the country’s mental health difficulties.Money is often pledged to tackle the problems of underfunding and targets are frequently set to reduce waiting times for patients to access counselling services.
This is all beneficial when the politicians actually deliver on their promises but evidence points out that they don't. so unless people become more willing to hold them to account and continue to discuss their individual experiences of mental health issues, the stigma and the access to services so much needed will remain.
War and poverty also significantly impact mental health, with conflicts currently being witnessed in Gaza often leading to increased rates of psychological distress, depression, and PTSD, while poverty creating a cycle of stress, combined with financial hardship, and limited access to resources, exacerbating existing mental health conditions.
Some things though are at least moving in the right direction. We should have a new Mental Health Act soon, after over four decades of waiting. The NHS is working hard on a community model of mental health care. And stigma continues to decrease around mental health issues such as depression and anxiety.
But put simply, it’s not enough. Those of us living with mental illness continue to be left behind. We have a shorter life expectancy than the rest of the population. Rising numbers of us continue to be detained under an outdated Mental Health Act.
And amid a cost-of-living crisis, the government is disgustingly considering billions of pounds worth of ill conceived cuts to the social security system. Right now, over 1.5 million people are waiting for mental health support. Suicides are at their highest rate this millennium. Lives are being lost. This simply cannot go on.
Previous generations would have struggled to imagine it: whether on TV, social media or in the pub or the park, mental health is at least increasingly being discussed across society. Though obviously much remains to be done, the once prevalent stigma around the topic is slowly disintegrating.It’s a positive shift, and one that is much needed.
Mental health isn’t just about illness, it’s also about what we can do to nurture and sustain our wellbeing; getting the crucial help we need in difficult times and crises, while also finding the insights, tools and communities that can support our resilience and personal growth.
We have to keep to talking about mental health and not just during Mental Health Awareness Week. Let' us we stand united in breaking the silence, challenging the stigma, and fostering and building communities and a culture of care, compassion, and understanding.
Communities that care means creating a place where people are seen as whole, not just as patients or problems to fix. It’s about building a network of support that meets people where they are. It helps people live full, meaningful lives.
A community that cares goes beyond clinical treatment. It recognises that recovery is about more than just medication or therapy. It’s also about stable housing, financial stability, strong relationships, physical wellbeing, and purpose.
Imagine trying to focus on your mental health when you're worried about rent, dealing with debt collectors, or feeling completely alone. The truth is that these pressures can make a living with a mental illness even worse.
One of the most heartbreaking side effects of mental illness is isolation. That’s why strong social connections are a cornerstone of a caring community.Communities can support with loneliness, help us to feel connected to others and open us up to new experiences and opportunities.Whether it’s through peer support groups, creative workshops, or simply a shared interest like gardening, these spaces help people rediscover their sense of belonging.
When we feel connected, valued and accepted, we gain a sense of belonging that reassures us we’re not alone. A supportive community fosters respect, understanding and shared goals, making it easier to navigate life’s challenges.
Communities give us meaningful roles, whether through helping others or working toward a shared goal. Feeling useful and appreciated boosts confidence and mental wellbeing. Knowing you have people who care about you makes challenges feel more manageable, and offers comfort during hard times. Positive communities encourage open communication and support, reducing loneliness and building lasting relationships Improved self-esteem: When we’re encouraged to grow, learn, and achieve personal goals, our confidence and self-worth naturally increase .A reliable support system makes tough situations feel less overwhelming and ensures that help is always available and feeling connected and a part of others lives can bring fulfilment, satisfaction and joy.
A supportive community nurtures mental wellbeing and ensures everyone feels included and valued. Safer spaces where people can talk about their mental health foster trust and understanding, and a supportive:and compassionate environment that reduces isolation and creates a sense of belonging.
The sad fact remains that people living with a mental illness are more likely to die young, often from preventable physical health conditions. A caring community takes this seriously, making sure people get annual check-ups, access to inclusive exercise options, and support with medication side effects.
Mental wellness is a journey, not a destination.Your feelings are valid, whether you’re thriving, tired, overwhelmed, or somewhere in between.Take a moment to check in with yourself today. Remember Mental health is just as important as physical health, yet it’s often overlooked but is not something we should never be ashamed of.
Mental Health conditions affect people of all ages, backgrounds, and walks of life. It does not discriminate, so try not to judge. Speaking openly about mental health breaks shame .If you’re struggling yourself reach out .Struggling doesn’t mean weakness, it means you’re human.
In a time when the high cost of living is impacting families across the UK, stress and burnout are affecting many, and millions of young people are seeking mental health support, connection is more important than ever.
In our different communities we should try be kind to one another, share our vulnerabilities, our different struggles, and continue to keep building a better society, a new system that gives us a healthy context in which individuals thrive and our mental health can flourish, where we are free from economic and social fear, and we can develop into our own best selves. Behind every dark cloud is an ever-shining sun. There is power in community, there is power in solidarity. Mental Health Matters.
If you’re experiencing mental health problems or need urgent support, there are lots of places you can go to for help.You might feel better contacting these people because they are trained experts who can get you the help you need straight away. For details of organisations such as the Samaritans and Mind, visit this list of support services
'Be patient and tough, some day this pain, will be useful to you " - Ovid
' Not until we are lost, do we begin to understand ourselves .; - Henry David Thoreau
