What is Mental Health Awareness Week?

For over two decades, the Mental Health Foundation has spearheaded Mental Health Awareness Week, uniting the UK to prioritize mental wellbeing. This year, from May 12th to 18th, 2025, the focus is on ‘community’ – a vital element for good mental health. The week will celebrate the profound impact of supportive communities in fostering belonging, safety, support, and purpose, reminding us that we’re stronger together.

This year theme is ‘Community’, and it will celebrate the power and importance of community.

Being part of a safe, positive community can be vital for our mental health and wellbeing.

Mental Health Awareness Week is an opportunity for all of us to raise awareness of mental health issues and reduce the social stigma it can have.

The week provides an opportunity for you and your organisation to add to the wider conversation that will be occurring on social media, television and elsewhere. Highlight the fantastic work you’re already doing to address mental health stigma in the workplace, and introduce new and targeted activities anchored to the event. This years theme is:

Mental Health Awareness Week activities for the workplace

Lunchtime Craftercise

Get the Sharpies Felt tip pens out of the stationary cupboard, download our colouring sheet and hold a relaxing ‘Craftercise’ lunchtime session.

‘Craftercise’ is designed to help your team to bond. Participating in a creative activity that is not directly related to work helps to design a space where people can relate on a new level.

Doing an activity together away from workspace allows people to get to know one another, bond, chat and builds trust.

Building trust amongst colleagues is important in enabling mental health related conversations.

Wear it Green Day

Organize a Wear it Green Day at your workplace. By going green, you’ll directly support vital research and community programs. Mental Health Foundation provides all the resources you need to host a successful event.

Join the nationwide Wear It Green Day on Thursday, May 15th, during Mental Health Awareness Week (May 12th-18th), and help us turn the world green for good mental health.

Can’t make that date? No problem – you can hold your green day anytime!

Spread awareness on social media

Use online platforms to spread messages about Mental Health, share personal stories, and provide information about resources available for those in need.

Engage with hashtags like #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek #ThisIsMyCommunity

Educational Workshops and Seminars:

Educational Workshops and Seminars: Host sessions that provide information mental health awareness. These can be led by mental health professionals or advocates.

Panel Discussions and Q&A Sessions: Invite experts and advocates to discuss various aspects of Mental health, answer questions, and provide insights into how individuals and communities can raise mental health awareness.

Workplace Programs: Implement special programs or activities in the workplace that focus on mental health, stress management, and building supportive environments.

Wellbeing Breakfast

To celebrate Mental Health Awareness Week, hold a healthy Wellbeing breakfast with fresh fruit, granola, chia pots and other healthy treats.

Encouraging people to talk about mental health. Starting a conversation can be a powerful way to challenge mental health stigma
and get people to think about their perceptions. For all of us, our mental health is just as important as our physical health. Talking helps us all recognise this and can dispel misconceptions about mental health problems and the people who
experience them.

Mental Health Quiz

To raise awareness and start conversations in the office about mental health have a Mental Health quiz.

Find out how much your colleagues know about mental health and challenge misconceptions and learn the real facts about mental health.

Download a new Mental Health Quiz.

Community Walks or Runs

Organize events that bring people together, walking and running are powerful tools for supporting mental health. Engaging in these activities offers a multitude of benefits for our minds as well as our bodies.

Mental Health Awareness Week resources

The Mental Health Foundation is a UK-based charity dedicated to promoting good mental health and addressing mental health issues for everyone.

They run national campaigns, most notably Mental Health Awareness Week, which was launched in 2001 and takes place annually in May. The theme for Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 (May 12-18) is ‘community’.

Download Mental Health Foundation Mental Health Awareness Week resources from their website.