PEOPLE are being encouraged to take simple actions to help look after their mental health as Mental Health Awareness Week gets under way this week (Monday, May 11 – Sunday, May 17).
Led by the Mental Health Foundation, this year’s theme is Action, with a focus on practical steps people can take ‘for yourself, for someone else, for all of us’. Throughout the week, the charity is sharing easy‑to‑follow tips and ideas to help people support their own mental wellbeing and check in on others.
Dr David Crepaz Keay, Public Health Information Lead at Mental Health Foundation, said: “We chose Action as this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week theme because looking after our mental health isn’t just about awareness, it’s about the things we do that nurture and protect our mental wellbeing. Small, everyday actions can make a big difference to how we feel and how we cope with life’s ups and downs. Just as we brush our teeth each day, taking care of our mental wellbeing should involve daily action. This helps us stay resilient, grounded and better able to manage whatever comes our way.
“As well as prioritising self-care, we should also look out for those around us. Taking a moment to check in on a neighbour, having a meaningful conversation with a friend, or volunteering in your community can all help people to feel seen, supported and valued. Together all these actions can help us build a movement for good mental health for all.”
Tips for taking action for good mental health.
- Spend time in nature and tune in to your senses. Spending time in nature can boost your mood, lessen stress, and help you concentrate. Gardening, a walk in the park, or a trip to the seaside is both enjoyable and good for our mental health. Aim for quality time in nature; pause, take a deep breath, and experience the different sights, sounds, smells and textures around you. The idea is to feel connected to your natural surroundings.
- Organise a mate date. Strong relationships are essential for our wellbeing as they help us feel connected, share experiences, and get the emotional support we all need. Use it as an excuse to plan a mate date, whether that’s a coffee, a walk or a catch‑up over dinner. Time together for meaningful conversation without distractions, can give both your moods a real lift. Planning activities to look forward to is also good for our mental health, so that’s another reason to get it in the diary!
- Prioritise good sleep. This is often easier said than done but there are things we can do to establish a good, relaxing bedtime routine that helps us to get better quality rest such as avoiding screens, caffeine, alcohol or vigorous exercise right before bed. It’s also ideal to get up and go to bed at the same time every everyday – even on weekends.
- Get creative: Spending time on creative activities is a great way to help ease stress and anxiety. Carve out some time to listen to music, paint, sing, or do whatever you enjoy most.
- Learn a new skill: If you’re looking for ways to boost your self-esteem, build a sense of purpose, and connect with others, learning a new skill can help. You could try to cook a new recipe, work on a DIY project, or pick up a hobby that challenges you like a language class. Tres bien!
This Mental Health Awareness Week, take action for good mental health – for yourself, for someone else, for all of us. Even small actions can make a big difference. And together our individual actions will build a movement for good mental health. Find positive actions that work for you at mentalhealth.org.uk/mhaw
