Mental Health Awareness Week: Actually Doing Something About It

Mental Health Awareness Week runs 11–17 May this year and the theme is Take Action. Which is a pretty pointed rebuke to the nation that invented the stiff upper lip.

Don't get me wrong. Awareness matters. Knowing that you're not the only person lying awake at 3am catastrophising about an email you sent in 2019 is genuinely helpful. But at some point, awareness without action is just... vibes. Expensive, well-intentioned vibes.

So what does "Take Action" actually mean?

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It means doing the uncomfortable thing

Action isn't always dramatic. It's not necessarily quitting your job, moving to the countryside and keeping bees (though honestly, respect if you do). Sometimes action is texting that friend you've been meaning to check in on for three weeks. Sometimes it's booking that GP appointment you've been putting off because you don't want to "make a fuss." Sometimes it's just admitting to someone you trust that you're not fine, actually.

We're brilliant at performing wellness — water bottles, morning routines, wellness apps we opened twice — and absolutely terrible at the messy, vulnerable bit that actually moves the needle.

Complicated mental health

For those of us who've had a more complicated relationship with mental health

I'll be honest here, because that's sort of the point of the week. As a trans woman who came to herself later in life, my mental health history isn't exactly a serene lake. It's more of a weather system. There's a particular kind of exhaustion that comes from spending decades not quite fitting in your own skin and the grief that comes with transition — even when transition is also the best thing you've ever done — is real and largely unacknowledged.

The mental health system, bless it, isn't always equipped for that nuance. But taking action, for me, has meant finding the right support, being bloody-minded about advocating for myself and refusing to accept "we don't really have experience with that" as a final answer.

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What you can actually do during this week

Talk to someone. Not perform talking. Actually talk.

If someone asks how you are, try answering honestly (just once, see what happens).

Look up what mental health resources your workplace offers — most people have no idea what's available.

Donate to or volunteer with a mental health charity. Mind, Samaritans and Rethink Mental Illness are all doing the actual work.

And if you're struggling right now: please, tell someone. A friend, a GP, a helpline. It counts as action too.

Mental Health Awareness Week isn't asking you to fix the entire broken system in seven days. It's asking you to do one thing. One real, concrete, slightly uncomfortable thing.

The awareness bit? We've got that. Now let's get on with the rest of it.

I am a D&I consultant, keynote speaker, Mental Health First Aider, writer and transgender woman with 20+ years of senior corporate leadership experience. I work with businesses across all sectors to build genuinely inclusive cultures whilst also supporting transgender individuals and their families through every stage of the journey. If this piece resonated, you can find more articles on andreaking.net  or  book a free discovery call if you'd like to talk.

The views expressed in this article are my own and are based on personal experience and perspective. They are not intended as medical, legal or professional advice.

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Frequently Asked Questions - Mental Health Awareness Week

What is Mental Health Awareness Week?

Mental Health Awareness Week is a yearly campaign that encourages people to talk about mental health and take practical action.

What does the theme "Take Action" mean?

It means moving beyond awareness and doing something concrete, even if it feels small or uncomfortable.

What can I do during Mental Health Awareness Week?

You can check in on someone, use workplace resources, donate to a charity or ask for support if you need it.

Is it okay to ask for help if I am not in crisis?

Yes. You do not have to be in crisis to speak to a GP, helpline or mental health service.

Which charities can I support?

Mind, Samaritans and Rethink Mental Illness are all mentioned in the post as organisations doing important work.

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