The Mental Health Foundation organises Mental Health Awareness Week each year. In 2024, the theme is "Movement: Moving more for our mental health". The awareness week ‘aims to tackle stigma and help people understand and prioritise their and others' mental health.’ This is something that we wholeheartedly advocate for, 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 which improves mental health in, and through work.

This year, Mental Health Awareness Week is running from Monday 13 to Sunday 19 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 2022/23[1]:

• There were 875,000 cases of work-related stress, depression or anxiety.
• Stress, depression or anxiety accounted for 49% of all work-related ill-health cases and 54% 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 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. You can personalise it by adding the relevant details of your Mental Health First Aiders, HR team, Employee Assistance Programme and so on, in the white box. Please then share it across your organisation.

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 our blog on ‘How to optimise your mental wellbeing through being active’. In the meantime, the first blog in the series can be found:

Six tips to optimise your mental wellbeing

If the information on this page has resonated with you, and if you or someone you know needs help or support, you can speak to one of the many free, confidential support services below:

Support Services

Mates in Mind Supporters

We have additional materials available for our Supporters:

• A Toolkit Talk.
• A Mental Health Awareness Day Guide.
• Additional posters exclusively for Supporters.
• Access to Mental Health Awareness Week resources.

To access these materials please log in to the Supporter portal, and access your resources:

Log in

If you are not a Supporter but would like to find out more about our Programme 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.

References:

[1] Health and safety statistics - HSE

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