Mental Health Awareness Week happens every year, and it’s the biggest opportunity for the whole of the UK to come together to focus on getting good mental health. The week aims to tackle stigma and help people understand and prioritise their and others’ mental health.

We started Mental Health Awareness Week in 2001, and as a vital part of our work as a charity, we continue to set the agenda – theme and dates, as well as coordinate activities for the week. In recent years, it has evolved to focus on preventing mental health problems and has become one of the most high-profile public campaigns in the UK.

Each May, millions of people from every part of society take part across the whole of the UK. They include people in schools and further education; private, public and charity sectors; families and individuals. The UK and national governments, celebrities and many others continue to actively support the week.

Mental Health Awareness Week is vital in increasing public understanding of mental health and how mental health problems can be prevented.

After years of being ignored, hidden away, and not being spoken about, Mental Health Awareness Week makes sure that mental health remains at the centre of the public conversation. It has contributed to government policy changes and provides a significant red-letter day when mental health charities throughout the UK can fundraise to support their work.

Above all, it keeps up the pressure for change so that we collectively prioritise the UK’s mental health, prevent mental health problems and take action to make sure we live in a society that values and promotes good mental health for all.