It's Real Talk Time: Mental Health Awareness Week 💙

It's Mental Health Awareness Week—Let’s Talk About It! 

It’s that time of year again—Mental Health Awareness Week—and I wanted to take a moment to talk about something that affects so many of us,even if we don’t always see it.

We live in a world that’s more connected than ever, yet so many people feel completely isolated. That’s why this week isn’t just important—it’s essential. Yes, mental health is being talked about more in recent years (yay for progress!), but let's be honest: there's still a long way to go when it comes to truly understanding, supporting, and taking it seriously.

So, what’s really going on?

The Global Picture

Did you know that nearly 1 in 8 people around the world were living with a mental health condition in 2019? That’s about 970 million people. And that’s pre-pandemic. 😳

Conditions like anxiety and depression are the most common—and they can seriously impact every area of life: relationships, jobs, self-esteem, and just our ability to enjoy everyday things. What’s even tougher is that many people don’t have access to proper care or are too afraid to reach out because of stigma and discrimination.

Some Fast Facts (That Might Surprise You!)

• Anxiety and depression are the two most common mental disorders worldwide. 

• Mental disorders make up a big chunk of the world’s years lived with disability—meaning they affect our ability to live full, healthy lives.

• People with severe mental health conditions often have shorter lifespans. That’s a heartbreaking truth.

• Many people still face stigma that keeps them from getting the help they need.

What’s Being Done?

The World Health Organisation (WHO) has a solid plan to tackle this,and many countries are working to create mental health policies. But here’s the catch: having a plan is one thing, actually funding and implementing it is another. Too many communities still don’t have the resources they need.

Mental health struggles don’t just affect individuals—they have a huge economic impact on families, workplaces, and entire health systems.

Let’s Talk About the Numbers

Here’s how common some mental health conditions are:

•  Mixed Anxiety & Depression: 8 in 100 people

•  Generalised Anxiety Disorder (GAD): 6 in 100

•  PTSD: 4 in 100

•  Depression: 3 in 100

•  Phobias: 2 in 100

•  OCD: 1 in 100

So if you’re dealing with any of these then you’re definitely not alone. 💚

So, What Can We Do?

This Mental Health Awareness Week, let’s try to:

Check in on a friend or family member.

Speak up if you’re struggling. You don’t have to go through it alone.

Support organisations working hard to improve mental health access and awareness.

If you’d like to help, you can donate to a mental health organisation here. Every bit counts.

Let’s make this week not just about awareness—but about action, empathy, and connection. Because mental health matters, not just this week—but every single day.

Take care of yourselves and each other. 💙