Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 will take place from 12th to 18th May, with this year’s theme focusing on Community. This important awareness week is run annually by the Mental Health Foundation and has become a key date in the global wellbeing calendar. Each year, it encourages open conversations, reduces stigma, and promotes practical steps towards better mental health.
This year’s theme, “Community,” highlights how vital our social connections are to our mental wellbeing. In recent years, many people have experienced disconnection, whether through hybrid working, increased screen time, or lifestyle changes. Now more than ever, building and strengthening our sense of community is essential.
Research consistently shows that people who feel part of a supportive community are more likely to thrive emotionally. A strong sense of belonging can reduce stress, anxiety, and loneliness. By contrast, isolation often leads to feelings of disconnection and poor mental health. That’s why this year’s theme is not only timely but essential. Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 encourages everyone to take small, meaningful steps. Whether you reach out to a colleague, join a local group, or start a conversation, it all makes a difference.
Starting the Conversation: How to Talk About Mental Health
Talking about mental health doesn’t need to be complicated. Here are some simple, effective ways to open the door to honest conversation.
Ask Open Questions
- Try: “How have things been for you lately?”
Open-ended questions encourage more than a yes or no response. They show you’re genuinely interested and willing to listen.
Choose the Right Moment
- Try: “Can we grab a coffee and catch up?”
A relaxed setting, without time pressure, helps people feel safer opening up. Avoid raising the topic during high-stress or busy times.
Share Something First
- Try: “I’ve had a tough few weeks — how have things been for you?”
Opening up yourself can break the ice. It builds trust and signals that it’s okay to talk about how you’re really feeling.
Use Simple Language
- Try: “I’ve noticed you seem a bit off lately. Is everything okay?”
You don’t need to be a mental health expert. A kind observation can go a long way and show someone you care.
Listen Without Fixing
- Try: “Thanks for sharing that with me — I’m here if you ever need to talk.”
Sometimes people just need to feel heard. Resist the urge to solve things and focus on offering a calm, supportive presence.
Follow Up
- Try: “Just checking in — how are you doing today?”
A follow-up shows that your support wasn’t just a one-off. It builds long-term trust and reminds them they’re not alone.
Starting conversations like these is one of the most powerful steps we can take during Mental Health Awareness Week 2025. By opening up and listening without judgement, we help create a culture where everyone feels seen, heard, and supported.
Understanding Mental Health Challenges
Mental health challenges are more common than many realise. They affect people from all walks of life, in every workplace, across every industry, and in every region. While experiences differ, certain issues appear time and time again. By understanding these challenges, we can better support one another and create mentally healthier environments.
Anxiety
Anxiety affects both mental focus and physical health, often showing up as restlessness, racing thoughts, or a sense of dread. It’s now one of the most reported mental health concerns worldwide. According to the Mental Health Foundation, nearly 63% of adults in the UK felt anxious within a two-week period. Increased workload, economic pressure, and social media are some of the top triggers, especially for young adults and early-career professionals.
Depression
Depression is more than low mood, it can impact appetite, sleep, energy, and motivation. It often goes unnoticed in the workplace. Data from the ONS shows that 1 in 6 adults currently experience symptoms of depression, with many managing this alongside full-time work. The challenge is made worse when stigma prevents people from opening up or seeking help, especially in high-pressure or fast-paced environments.
Burnout
Burnout is a state of extreme emotional, physical, and mental exhaustion caused by long-term stress. It often builds slowly and quietly. In 2024, 44% of employees reported feeling constantly exhausted by work (CIPD). Lack of boundaries, always-on technology, and unrealistic expectations all contribute. Burnout can lead to absence, disengagement, and even physical illness if left unaddressed.
Loneliness
Feeling disconnected or left out can have a serious impact on mental health, even when surrounded by others. A report by the Campaign to End Loneliness revealed that over 1 in 3 workers globally experience loneliness on a weekly basis. This challenge is often invisible. It can affect remote workers, new starters, and even long-term employees who feel unsupported or excluded.
Financial Stress
Money worries have a huge impact on mental wellbeing. This has become even more evident during recent global cost-of-living crises. The Money and Mental Health Institute found that 7 in 10 workers reported financial stress affecting their mood, sleep, and concentration. Yet financial wellbeing is rarely discussed openly in the workplace, even though it’s a key part of overall mental health.
By acknowledging and understanding these common mental health challenges, we can begin to break down barriers and provide meaningful support. During Mental Health Awareness Week 2025, commit to addressing these issues head-on and fostering environments where mental health is prioritised and supported.
Creating a Mentally Healthy Workplace: What Leaders and Employees Can Do
A mentally healthy workplace doesn’t just benefit employees. It enhances productivity, reduces absenteeism, and fosters a positive work culture. Both leaders and employees have roles to play in maintaining mental wellbeing at work.
Here are some actionable tips for both groups.
What Leaders Can Do:
Leaders are the cornerstone of any company’s culture, and their actions have a direct impact on the mental health of their teams. One of the most important things leaders can do is to model positive mental health behaviours. This means prioritising self-care, discussing mental health openly, and making it clear that wellbeing is a priority at every level of the organisation. Leaders should also encourage an open-door policy, where employees feel comfortable coming forward with any mental health concerns without fear of judgement.
Creating a mentally healthy workplace requires leaders to foster a supportive work environment. This includes ensuring that workloads are reasonable and manageable, offering flexibility, and providing resources such as Employee Assistance Programs (EAPs). Training leaders and managers in mental health awareness and how to identify early signs of stress or burnout will help them support their teams effectively. By implementing these measures, leaders show they are committed to the mental wellbeing of their employees, which in turn can boost morale and productivity.
What Employees Can Do:
While leaders have a key role, employees also play an essential part in maintaining a mentally healthy workplace. It starts with self-awareness — recognising when stress or mental health issues are affecting your wellbeing. Employees should feel empowered to speak up about their needs and challenges, whether that means requesting support, asking for adjustments to workloads, or seeking help from mental health resources available through the organisation.
In addition, employees can support their colleagues by fostering a culture of empathy. Small actions like checking in with teammates, offering encouragement, and respecting each other’s boundaries can make a significant difference in maintaining a mentally healthy workplace. Employees can also encourage one another to take breaks and utilise any wellbeing initiatives, like mental health days or counselling services, offered by their employer. Supporting each other and actively contributing to a culture of inclusivity and respect helps ensure that everyone’s mental health is taken seriously.
By actively participating in both leadership and employee efforts, we can create a workplace that prioritises mental health and wellbeing. During Mental Health Awareness Week 2025, it is essential to focus on implementing these strategies to support mental health in the workplace.
Wellity Training Support
In support of Mental Health Awareness Week 2025, and the theme of Community, we are offering a series of engaging training sessions to help teams build stronger connections and foster a supportive work environment. These sessions focus on creating open dialogue, enhancing team unity, and breaking down mental health barriers to create a culture of care and inclusion.
Our Sessions for MHAW 2025:
- Building Connections: Uniting Teams in a Hybrid World
- Let’s Connect: Celebrating Work Friendships
- Conversations that Count: Breaking Down Mental Health Barriers
- Find Your Tribe: Connecting Through Shared Purpose
These sessions are designed to enhance communication and collaboration, helping to build supportive, mentally healthy workplaces. For more details or to book a session, contact us today.
