Taking Action – Mental Health Awareness Week 2026
Published 4 May 2026
Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 runs from 11–17 May, and this year’s theme, “Action: for yourself, for someone else, for all of us!”, is a powerful call to move beyond awareness and make a real difference.
At Making Space, we’re committed to creating safe, inclusive environments where people feel valued, and supported to take positive steps for their mental wellbeing.
Mental Health Awareness Week is the UK’s biggest opportunity to come together and focus on mental health. Led by the Mental Health Foundation, this year’s campaign highlights that while awareness is important, lasting change happens when we take action.
At Making Space, we see every day how important this is for the people we support. Whether someone is living with a mental health condition, learning disability, dementia, or age-related challenges, or caring for a loved one who is, taking action – however small – can have a meaningful impact.
Across our supported housing, dementia services, day centres and carer hubs, we’re committed to creating environments where people feel supported to take those steps, building confidence, connection and resilience.
This year’s theme encourages action in three simple but powerful ways:
- For yourself – taking one positive step to support your own mental health
- For someone else – reaching out, offering support, or helping create healthier communities
- For all of us – recognising the need for wider change to ensure everyone has access to good mental health support
Making Space Lead People & Culture Partner, Hester Pownall, said:
At Making Space, we know that awareness is only the beginning, it’s the actions we take every day that truly support good mental health. This Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re encouraging our colleagues to take one meaningful action, whether that’s prioritising their own wellbeing, supporting someone else, or contributing to a more positive and inclusive workplace. When we all take action, together we can create lasting change.
This Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re proud to support action for better mental health, for ourselves, for each other, and for everyone.
Find out more about how you can take action for mental health here mentalhealth.org.uk.
Follow the campaign using #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek and #TakeActionForMentalHealth, and join the conversation on social media:
Facebook: @mentalhealthfoundation
LinkedIn: @mental-health-foundation
Taking care of your mental health
We’re using today to remind everyone how important it is to look after your mental health and the importance of reaching out if you’re struggling.
If you are feeling suicidal, concerned about your mental health or you’re concerned about someone, you can access support from a range of mental health helplines, with trained people ready to listen:
- Samaritans: Call 24/7 on 116 123, email [email protected].
- Mind support line: Call 0300 102 1234, 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except bank holidays).
- National Suicide Prevention Helpline UK: Call 0800 689 5652, 6pm-midnight every day, if you have suicidal thoughts.
- Campaign Against Living Miserably (CALM): Call 0800 58 58 58, 5pm-midnight everyday if you are affected by suicidal thoughts.
- Papyrus HOPELINEUK: For those under 35 struggling with suicidal feelings, or concerned about a young person who might be struggling. Call 0800 068 4141 24/7, email [email protected] or text 07786 209 697.
- SANEline: Call 0300 304 7000, 4.30-10pm every day.
- Shout: If you would prefer not to talk but want some mental health support, you could text SHOUT to 85258. Shout offers a confidential 24/7 text service providing support if you are in crisis and need immediate help.
- Switchboard: If you identify as gay, lesbian, bisexual or transgender, call 0300 330 0630, 10am–10pm every day, email [email protected] or use their webchat service. Phone operators all identify as LGBT+.
NHS:
- Call your GP – ask for an emergency appointment
- Call NHS 111 out of hours – they will help you find the support and help you need
- Contact your mental health crisis team – if you have one
- Read NHS advice if you’re having suicidal thoughts
Finding support in your local area
If you're looking for mental health support near you, your local authority website is a great place to start. It will often list local services, community groups, and resources tailored to your area.
You can also visit Hub of Hope - a nationwide mental health support directory that helps you find nearby services based on your postcode. It’s quick, easy to use, and completely free.
Find out more on accessing mental health support on the Mind and the Mental Health Foundation websites.