Today marks the launch of Mental Health Awareness Week, the UK’s national week to raise awareness of mental health. The week, which is hosted by the Mental Health Foundation, is in its 22nd year and runs from 9-15 May.

This year, the theme for the week is ‘loneliness’. Across the country, people will be reflecting on loneliness and how it impacts our mental health. Long-term loneliness is closely linked to mental health problems such as depression and anxiety. Institute colleagues will be supporting the campaign with new blog posts and celebrating ‘Wear it Green’ day.

Director of our Centre for Social Futures Professor Paul Crawford has written a blog post for the event. He said, “It’s great to see loneliness as the theme for this year’s mental health awareness week. Young people in particular are vulnerable to feelings of loneliness and isolation, particularly as we emerge from the Covid-19 pandemic. Creative public health campaigns like #MHAW are essential for highlighting the challenges people continue to face as we return to our daily lives.”

Mark Rowland Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation said:

“We hope this year’s theme of loneliness will strike a chord with many of us who felt lonely and struggled throughout the Covid pandemic. 

“Millions of us experience loneliness from time to time. We know that some people are at higher risk of experiencing loneliness and the evidence shows the longer we feel lonely, the more we are at risk of mental health problems.

“Loneliness deserves more attention and we’re calling on everyone who has struggled as a result of being lonely to share their experiences. We must work together - as individuals, as a society and through government policy - to reduce loneliness and prevent mental health problems by investing in welcoming, social spaces and new community initiatives.”

Some of the ways people can participate in Mental Health Awareness Week:

• During Mental Health Awareness Week use the hashtag #IveBeenThere to share experiences of loneliness to support others and give the campaign momentum.

• Sign up to walk, run or jog as part of the 80 Miles in May challenge and share your photos using #80MilesinMay and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek.

For more information about this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week visit https://www.mentalhealth.org.uk/campaigns/mental-health-awareness-week

or join the conversation on social media using #IveBeenThere and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek