Mental Health Foundation announces 'loneliness' as theme for Mental Health Awareness Week 2022

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 until 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 key driver of poor mental health. The Foundation’s Mental Health in the Pandemic research has found that loneliness has been exacerbated by the Covid pandemic. The Foundation has been tracking loneliness levels in the UK during the pandemic and found the experience has been much higher with devastating impact. 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 that the public felt needed to be addressed.

The week will raise awareness of the impact of loneliness on our mental wellbeing 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 impact 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, with a focus on providing help and advice.”

The Mental Health Foundation has set the theme, 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.

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About the Mental Health Foundation

Our vision is of 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, with a particular focus on those at greatest risk. The Foundation is the home of Mental Health Awareness Week. For more information, visit our website: www.mentalhealth.org.uk.

For further confirmation, contact the Mental Health Foundation press office at [email protected]

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