Launched by the Mental Health Foundation, Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual event across the UK, serving as a major occasion for the entire nation to unite regarding the importance of mental well-being. This week-long initiative focuses on combating stigma, promoting further understanding, and encouraging individuals to prioritise mental health for themselves and for those around them.  

Mental Health Awareness Week plays a crucial role in enhancing public knowledge around mental health and the prevention of mental health problems. After years of silence on the topic, the week-long campaign ensures that mental health remains a focal point of public discourse. It has influenced policy changes at government level and serves as a significant fundraising opportunity for mental health charities across the UK. With a new shift towards prevention, it has become one of the UK’s most prominent public health campaigns.  

Every May, people from all walks of life across the UK participate in this event, including students, professionals from private, public, and non-profit sectors, families, and individuals. The week receives support from local governments, celebrities, and a wide range of different organisations.  

Each annual Mental Health Awareness Week follows a new theme. This year’s focus in on being active and promoting the importance of movement in our daily routines. 

This is also a message that is promoted across the therapy sector, emphasising the importance of movement and exercise in ensuring not only improvement in mechanical function, but an improvement in mental health and wellbeing.  

There are many ways to take part ranging from sporting the iconic green ribbon, making a donation to the cause, organising a ‘Wear it Green Day’ with your friends and colleagues, or even taking part in a sports challenge. Running, cycling, skydiving, or even just walking are fantastic ways to raise money in support of the campaign.  

It also provides the perfect opportunity to reiterate to your clients the importance of maintaining a health balance of exercise and rest, not only to achieve their therapy goals but also to work towards an improved state of mental wellbeing.  

Check out the Mental Health Foundation website to find out how else you can get involved: https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/our-work/public-engagement/mental-health-awareness-week