Mental Health Awareness Week 2026: Why Action Matters for Mental Health

Derek Flint - BSc : Dip. Couns. : PNCPS - Accred.
May 10
3 min read

Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 and Taking Action

The Mental Health Foundation explains that awareness is important, but meaningful change happens when action follows.

For many people, taking action can look like:

Speaking more openly about mental health
Reaching out for counselling
Improving boundaries and self-care
Addressing burnout or emotional exhaustion
Reconnecting with supportive relationships
Learning healthier ways to cope with stress

Counselling is not about having all the answers immediately. Often it is about creating enough space to understand what is happening underneath the surface.

People frequently seek therapy because they feel stuck in patterns that no longer work. Anxiety, stress, relationship difficulties, low mood, overwhelm or emotional shutdown can slowly become normalised. Therapy creates an opportunity to pause and understand those patterns differently.

Why Counselling Can Help Mental Health

One of the most difficult parts of struggling emotionally is feeling alone with it.

Counselling offers a space where people can speak honestly without needing to minimise what they are experiencing or keep functioning as though everything is fine.

At Churchill Square Counselling, therapy is not about judgement or quick fixes. Different people need different things at different times. For some, counselling may focus on coping strategies and emotional support. For others, it may involve exploring deeper patterns, relationships or life experiences.

Mental Health Awareness Week also reminds us that mental health affects everyone differently. There is no single “right” reason to seek support.

You do not need to wait until things become unmanageable before reaching out.

Action for Yourself and Others

This year’s campaign also highlights the importance of taking action for other people and communities.

Sometimes supporting mental health means checking in with someone properly rather than asking “How are you?” in passing. It may mean encouraging somebody to seek help, listening without trying to fix everything, or creating healthier environments at home or work.

Good mental health is rarely built entirely alone. Connection, support and understanding matter.

The Mental Health Foundation provides resources and ideas for getting involved in Mental Health Awareness Week here: Mental Health Awareness Week Resources

The Mental Health Foundation suggest these tips to help:

Five daily actions to try

There are lots of simple mood-boosting actions that should easily fit into your daily or weekly routine. However, we're all different, and some of these actions may feel easier for you than others. That’s why it can be useful to try a few different ideas and find what works best for you. Here's five suggestions for adding a quick mental health boost to your daily routine.

1. Spend time in nature

Spending time in nature can lift your mood, reduce stress levels and help you concentrate. To make this part of your daily routine, try stepping outside for a breath of fresh air before eating lunch or going for a walk on the weekends.

2. Connect with loved ones

Spending time with friends, family and loved ones is a great way to improve mental health. Sharing your experiences and supporting one another can help you feel happier, more connected and less alone with your problems.Whether it’s a quick phone call or meeting a friend for lunch, keeping in touch can help lift your mood.

3. Live a healthy lifestyle

An obvious one, but treating your body well can have positive effects on your mental and emotional health, too. Being physically active, eating a healthy, balanced diet and getting good quality sleep can help boost mental wellbeing. To build these into your daily routine, consider actions such as eating fruit for a mid-morning snack or stretching when you first get out of bed.

4. Get creative

Picking up creative activities, such as knitting or writing, can help ease stress and anxiety by letting you take a step back and relax. They are also really positive ways to express yourself, build emotional resilience and boost mental health.

5. Relax

Finding time to relax each day can help you feel better if you’re stressed or worried. But first, it’s good to figure out what makes you feel calm. For instance, you could try practising breathing exercises, taking a warm bath or shower, or listening to calming music.