Mental Health Awareness Week – Monday 9 May to Sunday 15 May 2022
The Mental Health Foundation has announced the dates and theme of next year’s Mental Health Awareness Week. It will run from Monday, 9 May to Sunday, 15 May 2022. The week will explore the experience of loneliness, its effect on our mental health and how we can all play a part in reducing loneliness in our communities.
Loneliness affects millions of people in the UK every year and is a significant factor of poor mental health. The Foundation’s Mental Health in the Pandemic research has found that loneliness has been exacerbated by the coronavirus pandemic. The Foundation has been tracking loneliness levels in the UK during the pandemic and found the experience has been much higher with devastating effects. Loneliness has been an important factor contributing to higher levels of distress, resulting from people’s sense of isolation and reduced ability to connect with others. Further polling also found that loneliness was one of the leading issues the public felt needed to address.
The week will raise awareness of the effect of loneliness on our mental well-being and the practical steps we can take to address it. Reducing loneliness is a major step towards a mentally healthy society.
Mark Rowland, Chief Executive of the Mental Health Foundation, said: “Loneliness is affecting more and more of us in the UK and has had a huge influence on our physical and mental health during the pandemic. That is why we have chosen it as our theme for Mental Health Awareness Week 2022. Our connection to other people and our community is fundamental to protecting our mental health so we much find better ways of tackling the epidemic of loneliness. We can all play a part in this. The week is also an invaluable opportunity for people to talk about all aspects of mental health, focusing on providing help and advice.”
The Mental Health Foundation has set the theme and organised and hosted Mental Health Awareness Week for the last 22 years, during which time the event has grown to become one of the biggest awareness weeks across the UK and globally. Further details will be released in the run-up to the Week in early 2022.
Notes to editors
About the Mental Health Foundation
Our vision is for good mental health for all. The Mental Health Foundation works to prevent mental health problems.
We drive change towards a mentally healthy society for all and support communities, families and individuals to lead mentally healthy lives, focusing on those at greatest risk. The Mental Health Foundation is also the home of Mental Health Awareness Week.
For more information, visit our website: www.mentalhealth.org.uk