Supporting Mental Health Awareness Week 2026

Get outside when you can.

Vitamin D and fresh air are important, especially when you might struggle to get outside often due to disability.

Start with basic needs.

Complete your basic needs first: brush your teeth, have a wash at the sink or with baby wipes in bed, find adaptations where possible, and eat. Feeling fresh can help your mood and set your day off right.

Create a bedtime routine.

Sleep hygiene matters. Winding down before bed can support better sleep: get off the blue light, journal your thoughts to empty your mind, brush your teeth and wash your face if you can. Set yourself a routine for every night you are able, so your brain knows it’s time for bed.

Eat as well as you can.

It’s so easy to grab easy-to-make meals, and if you’re on your own or in a flare, sometimes that’s a necessity. When you’re able, meal prep some whole foods with plenty of vegetables and fuel your body with goodness.

Move safely within your limits.

Movement is important, whatever level of mobility you have, but only if you can safely do so. This doesn’t mean going to the gym or doing excessive cardio. It might mean stretching for 5 minutes on your bed, and you never know what that could lead to.

Talk about it.

There are many ways to improve your mental health, but one of the most important is speaking to someone. This could be a friend, a family member, your GP, a crisis line, a support group, or someone you trust. The more you bottle in, the more you hold on to it, the harder things can feel. Sharing how you feel can help break that cycle.