The Mental Health Foundation organises Mental Health Awareness Week each year. In 2025, the theme is "Community: Being part of a safe, positive community is vital for our mental health and wellbeing. We thrive when we have strong connections with other people and supportive communities that remind us, we are not alone. Communities can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and give us a sense of purpose”.

This is something that we wholeheartedly agree with, but this should not be something we focus on for only a day, week or month – it should be part of every working day. This is why we work collaboratively with organisations of any size to embed a proactive, prevention strategy which empowers them to create a supportive workplace culture (or community) which builds positive mental health in and through work.

This year, Mental Health Awareness Week is running from Monday 12 to Sunday 18 May, and we are encouraging our Supporters to start the conversation within their own organisations and across their networks.

Why is Mental Health Awareness Week important?

We know that in 2023/243[1]:

• There were 776,000 cases of work-related stress, depression or anxiety.
• Stress, depression or anxiety accounted for 46% of all work-related ill-health cases and 55% of all working days lost due to work-related ill-health.
• The main work factors cited as causing work-related stress, depression or anxiety include the demands of the job, lack of control, lack of information and support, work relationships, and roles and responsibilities.

Employers have a legal duty of care to ensure the health, safety and wellbeing of their employees, including mental health/stress. Mental wellbeing also benefits the business, for example, increased productivity, a reduction in sickness and staff turnover, and it demonstrates that the organisation is a good, safe, and supportive place to work. Research has found that, on average, businesses achieve a £5 return for every £1 spent on wellbeing support[2].

Mental wellbeing in the workplace is also good for the employee, for example, improving confidence, purpose, achievement, positive relationships, and inclusion.

Resources

At Mates in Mind, we work with organisations to improve the mental health of their workforce by providing the skills, clarity, and confidence to employers on how to raise awareness, improve understanding, implement effective interventions and address the stigma that surrounds mental health.

This is why we have created a suite of resources to support organisations not only during Mental Health Awareness Week, but also to create a supportive workplace culture which improves mental health in, and through work.

Please click on the link below to download a free poster. Please then share it across your organisation.

Watch the Mental Health Quiz

Please also visit our Resources page where you can download additional free resources including a Spotting the Signs Infographic and a Stress Awareness Factsheet.

Visit our Resources

Please sign up to our newsletter at the bottom of this page to be informed of when we publish new mental health awareness campaigns, events, blogs and more.

If you are already a Supporter, please use the link further down this page to access your exclusive resources in the portal.

If you are not yet a Supporter, but would like to discover the benefits of joining our community, please read on.

How we can support you

Mates in Mind can support your organisation to build a mental health plan and to create a culture of prevention.

Our dedicated team of Support Managers work with organisations of any size to develop a tailored action plan, evaluating your organisation's priorities and gaps, and providing the tools and support you need.

This plan includes ongoing support with communication and delivery of your plan, as well as training opportunities, promotional materials, and a suite of tools (including awareness date resources) to enable you to drive long-lasting and meaningful change.

Find out more about how we can help your organisation build a culture of prevention when you become a Supporter by:

• Visiting our Become a Supporter page.
• Calling: 020 3510 5018.
• Using this contact form.

If you would like to know when we publish new resources, please complete the newsletter sign up at the bottom of this page.

Mates in Mind Supporters

We have additional materials available for our Supporters in the portal, please log in to access them.

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References:

[1] https://www.hse.gov.uk/statistics/assets/docs/hssh2324.pdf

[2] Mental health and employers: the case for investment - pandemic and beyond | Deloitte UK