What is Mental Health Awareness Week?

Mental Health Awareness Week is an annual week to raise awareness of mental health and mental health problems. It seeks to inspire action to promote the message of good mental health for everyone. Mental Health Awareness Week will take place from 04-08 September 2023 and is an event hosted by the School Counselling Unit, PSHE Team, ICTISKL & PPMP. It's an opportunity for people to talk about all aspects of mental health, with a focus on providing awareness, help and support.

What is the theme of Mental Health Awareness Week in 2023?

The theme of the 2023 Mental Health Awareness Week is 'It Takes a Village'. This theme focuses on we all have mental health and mental health is everyone's matter. Together, we learn to tune in to self, tune in to others and tune out stigma of mental health.

How can I promote mental health awareness?

You might be wondering whether one person’s efforts can really make a difference, and the answer is “Yes, absolutely!” Every conversation you have about the importance of recognising and treating mental illness creates a ripple effect that reaches people in your circle and far beyond it. There are many ways that you can raise awareness for mental health. Read on for some suggestions:

• Talk with everyone you know, asking friends, family and colleagues how they're doing - and really listen to their answers.

• Open up about your experiences if you have them. Sharing your story about your own struggles with mental health problems and conditions could be the encouragement that someone else needs to open up about theirs. It can be reassuring to hear that someone else has experienced similar struggles and is now able to tell their story.

• Encourage kind language and explore 'person-centred language.' Any language that reinforces the stigma surrounding mental health problems and conditions is harmful and might keep someone from getting help. So be sure to call it out when anyone is using derogatory words about mental illness and try educating them on the consequences of their language.

• Encourage people to see the connection between physical and mental health. Eating healthy and getting plenty of exercise and sleep all play a part in a person’s mental and emotional state. Mental health doesn't exist in isolation from your physical health, so looking after both simultaneously can be the most effective way to maintain your all-around wellbeing.

• Educate yourself about mental illness so that you can pass on your knowledge to those in your circle. It's pretty common for people to misunderstand mental illness, so educating yourself on common misconceptions prepares you to have those conversations. This should include talking with children about mental health in age-appropriate terms. Children aren't immune to mental illness and can experience conditions like depression and anxiety at an early age.