Mental Health Foundation

For Debt Awareness Week, we're highlighting how debt affects mental health - and the support that is available to help. Throughout the cost-of-living-crisis many people have had to turn to lenders and may be struggling to keep up with their repayments. The mental health toll can be really challenging, with increased feelings of anxiety keeping you up at night or making it harder to enjoy your relationships. It can make existing mental health problems like depression worse and all together, feel overwhelming. The mental health effects of debt can make navigating it an even more isolating and lonely experience. It's important to remember that you are not alone, and that there is support available to you. Want to know more? Join us for our Reddit ‘Ask Me Anything’ 26-28 March r/ukpersonalfinance. We’ll be joined by StepChange Debt Charity to ask all your questions on mental health and debt.

Today is Single Parents Day! Parenting is always full of challenges and joys, but for those raising a child on their own, the challenges can feel overwhelming. It can also be lonely. Our survey found that 31% of lone parents felt anxiety due to loneliness. That’s why it’s important that single parents have support networks, people they can talk to who understand what they’re going through. Our Small Talk programme for lone parents does exactly that. Peer support groups bringing parents together to share their experiences and offer laughter, hope, and understanding. Learn more about Small Talk and our work with lone parents here: https://bit.ly/4hjLJJj #SingleParentsDay

Last week, we landed a real victory in our work influencing the UK government. We helped to secure a backbench debate on mental health support for educational settings – after working hard to support Chris Bloore, MP for Redditch and the Villages, and his team to achieve this. We’re really pleased to say that, after achieving the backing of 42 MPs from across 7 parties, the debate took place last Thursday in the main Commons chamber with some fantastic contributions from members across the House. With one in five young people experiencing a mental health problem in recent years, this debate has never been more important. As part of the government’s response, the Parliamentary Under-Secretary for the Department of Education, Stephen Morgan MP, committed to every school having a Mental Health Support Team, and confirmed that 50% of schools will have access to one by April of this year. But we know this isn’t enough – no child deserves to be struggling with poor mental health – and every school in the country should have access to one as soon as possible. We’ll continue to press the government to publish a timeline for delivery of this. This short clip of the close of Chris’s speech sums up much of what we’re hoping for government to do in this area. We’d like to thank Chris for his hard work in pursuing this debate, and for raising the voices of our programme participants in his speech. The note Chris ends on is absolutely right – now is the time for action. And we’re going to keep on fighting for that action, holding the government accountable, and making sure that together, we build a mentally healthier society.

What does it mean to be happy? Today on International Day of Happiness, we’re reflecting on what happiness means and how it relates to mental health and wellbeing. Happiness isn't just about feeling happy in the moment—it's about nurturing a sense of contentment and purpose over the long term. It's about how we feel about our lives as a whole and the sense of self we cultivate along the way. Being mentally well doesn't mean we are happy all the time—it's normal to experience a range of emotions. Good wellbeing also means understanding and accepting them. 💜 While the little things that bring joy in our day-to-day lives are important, building long-lasting happiness comes from creating habits and routines that support your sense of self. How can you incorporate these mood boosters into your day-to-day? #InternationalDayOfHappiness

Climate anxiety can affect anyone, although its particularly common in children and young people. Stress and worry are natural responses to the current state of the planet. 🌍 But just because it’s a natural response doesn’t mean that those struggling with it won’t need support. If this is affecting your daily life, it’s important to reach out for help. 💜 📢 Ultimately, the solution for climate anxiety is addressing climate change itself. 📢 Read more about climate change and mental health, and what needs to be done: https://bit.ly/43NkAuV

📢 You might have heard worrying announcements today about the benefits system. We share your concerns, but we want to reassure you that none of these changes are immediate, and organisations like us will be doing everything we can over the next few months to represent the voices of people with mental health problems to the UK government. Scroll to read our views on the specifics.

Yesterday, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care Wes Streeting made a comment that there is currently an overdiagnosis of mental health problems. We know this isn’t true – and here’s why.

We all experience tiredness from time to time. 💤 There can be lots of reasons for this - we might have had a busy week, struggled to sleep enough, or been feeling unwell. Sometimes though, tiredness becomes too much to manage, and it can begin to affect our mental health in different ways, from our mood to how we can perform day-to-day tasks. If you’re struggling to get the restful sleep you need, check out our tips on how to get the right amount of Zs out of your bedtime, and read more in our article: https://lnkd.in/eDjQ83Hx #SleepHealth2025 #WorldSleepDay

It’s University Mental Health Day! 📚 An exciting time for many, we also know that the changes and pressures that higher education bring can affect mental health in a negative way for some. Mental health problems at university are increasing and campus services are in high demand. That's why through projects like U OK? we are preventing problems before they begin. We’re giving students the knowledge and skills they need to look after their mental health as they move through higher education and into independent living. By training students on how to talk about mental health with their peers, the impact can reach the whole student community. Find more information about U OK? here: https://bit.ly/4iGnpCk

Ramadan is a wonderful time to connect with your family, friends, and community. There are many opportunities to get together and connect with others, whether to share meals or pray and learn with each other. These relationships are so important for our mental health. People who are more socially connected to family, friends, or their community are happier, physically healthier and live longer, with fewer mental health problems than people who are less well connected. During Ramadan why not take the opportunity to consider your connections with others, how they can be nurtured, and how you can feel part of your community?