According to the World Health Organization (WHO), roughly 450 million people currently suffer from mental health conditions, placing mental disorders among the leading causes of ill-health and disability worldwide.

13th - 19th May is Mental Health Awareness Week. The awareness campaign is organised by the Mental Health Foundation (MHF) and it’s main focus is to help raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing every year.

Body image

This year, the campaign’s theme addresses body image and how it affects people across a lifetime, ranging from children and young people, to adults and people later in life.

In 2018, the MHF found that 30% of all adults have felt so stressed by body image and appearance that they felt overwhelmed or unable to cope. That translates to almost 1 in every 3 people.

There are many reasons as to why so many of us are concerned about our body image. A survey carried out by Dove found that 6 in 10 women living in the UK believe that social media pressures people to look a certain way. And in addition to this, 7 in 10 women believe that current media and advertising set an unrealistic standard of beauty.

Symptoms of poor mental health

If you are worried about your own mental health, or the wellbeing of someone you care about, it is important to look out for emotional warning signs.

Mental health problems can cause a wide variety of emotional symptoms, some of which include:

• Changes in mood
• Erratic thinking
• Chronic anxiety
• Lack of self-worth
• Impulsive actions

Mental health top tips:

Talk - It’s vital for your own mental wellbeing that you open up to your support network and talk about your thoughts and feelings.

Exercise - Regular exercise can boost your self-esteem, help you become more productive and improve your sleeping patterns.

Eat well - A balanced diet that is good for your physical wellbeing, is also good for your mental wellbeing. Your brain needs a mix of nutrients to stay healthy and function well.

Drink less - Stay within the recommended daily alcohol limits; 3 to 4 units a day for men and 2 to 3 units a day for women.

Be mindful of others - Caring for others is often integral in maintaining relationships with people you care about. It can also help to put our own problems into perspective.

How do I get involved?

Social media - This year, the MHF are encouraging you to #BeBodyKind. To take part, simply post on social media an image of a time when you felt comfortable in your own skin. It could be a picture of yourself or of an object that reminds you of that time. Don’t forget to use the hashtags #BeBodyKind and #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek.

Green ribbon - The green ribbon is the international symbol for mental health awareness. Join thousands of people across the UK who will be wearing a green ribbon for Mental Health Awareness Week and all year round.

Host an event - There are plenty of events that you can host to help raise awareness of Mental Health Awareness Week. Popular events include:

• Tea & Talk: Have a meaningful chat with a colleague over a cuppa.
• Bake off: Put your co-worker’s baking skills to the test and help raise funds for a mental health charity of your choice.
• Curry & Chaat: Chat with your friends, family or colleagues over a hot curry and strengthen your relationships in the process. Click here for more information.

If you feel as though you are concerned with your mental health, or if you have any other wellbeing concerns, please call our helpline on:

0800 030 5182