Mental Health Awareness Week 2025

Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 runs from 12th–18th May. The theme this year is community, recognising the vital role our connections and shared spaces play in supporting mental wellbeing.

Why is Mental Health Awareness Week important?

Mental health is important to everyone, and anyone can experience poor mental health. It is estimated that around 1 in 4 people in England will experience a mental health issue at some point in their life. Mental Health Awareness Week is important because it highlights this, and encourages open conversations to help reduce stigma and promote wellbeing.

The campaign provides a great opportunity for individuals, communities, and organisations to come together and share stories in a communal effort to advocate for better mental health support.

Why is the theme this year ‘community’?

Communities can be formed around many things, such as your geographic location, your workplace, your faith and beliefs, or your hobbies! Most of us are part of a community—perhaps we have a work or school community, we may play a sport or have a creative hobby that we are part of. These communities hold space for us and give us a sense of purpose.

A community should be uplifting, inspiring and make us feel safe and good about ourselves. Communities are often a source of comfort, support, and social connection—particularly during difficult times such as illness, bereavement, or natural disasters.

However, not all communities are safe or healthy. If a community makes you think badly of yourself, encourages hateful or discriminatory actions towards others, or puts you in danger, it will be damaging to your mental health and wellbeing.

The impact of community on mental health

Being part of a community is vital for our mental health and wellbeing. People who are more socially connected to family, friends, or their community tend to be happier, physically healthier, and live longer, experiencing fewer mental health problems than those who are less connected.

Research from the Mental Health Foundation also shows that people living in neighbourhoods with strong social cohesion experience lower rates of mental ill health, regardless of the area’s level of deprivation or affluence.

Simply put, when communities come together, everyone benefits.

What are barriers to being part of a community?

Barriers to community can be anything that prevents an individual from being involved—whether structural, psychological, social or financial.

Creating community can be complex for many of us, especially those of us who are experiencing poor mental health. The fear of stigma and prejudice, and a lack of understanding and acceptance is something that many people say is a large barrier that prevents them from engaging with others.

We also know that some groups of people experience poorer mental health than others, such as minoritised racial and ethnic groups, migrants, refugees and sanctuary seekers, LGBTQ+ people, those of us on low incomes, and young people. These groups may also find it harder to access support, as they can experience further levels of marginalisation and social exclusion and isolation.

How can we foster community to help mental health?

Connect with others at safe and inclusive spaces. Our wellbeing groups are a great place to start!
Join a peer support group. This could be in your school, business or workplace. If there isn’t one already, you could set one up! These spaces are important and validating for individuals with similar backgrounds to connect and share experiences. At Bath Mind, we have an EDI Network for staff and volunteers to join as well as subgroups, including the Black, Indigenous and People of Colour (BIPOC), Neurodiversity and LGBTQ+ subgroups.
Explore a new hobby. Not only is learning something new, whether that is going to dance classes, mastering a language, playing an instrument or something else, great for developing your skillset, but it also connects you with a new community of individuals with a shared experience of learning something new. It helps to give you an extra-curricular focus that enriches your downtime outside of employment/studying.

Bath Mind community events

At Bath Mind, we’re embracing this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week theme by hosting a range of events that explore the connection between community and mental health. Whether you’re looking to find support, connect with others, or give back, there’s something for everyone to get involved with.

Discover what’s on by clicking the link below!

Browse our Mental Health Awareness Week events

Make a donation and help Bath Mind continue to create community for those who need it