Mental Health Awareness Week (MHAW)

The theme for 2026 was centred around Action. This is something that we can all agree is important, especially when it comes to mental health.

Action, as a theme, couldn’t be more fitting for us at the College, as we all continue to work hard at improving outcomes for our patients and working conditions for our members.  

As part of our action during Mental Health Awareness Week, we shared some of our key patient resources, blog posts about our campaigns and podcasts about mental health conditions across our platforms – please share with your networks too.

We started the week by sharing our analysis of new data that reveals suicide is the leading cause of maternal deaths in the UK, with rates of maternal suicide the highest among new mums residing in the most deprived areas. In response to this, we called for perinatal psychiatrists to be at the forefront of treating new and expectant mothers.

MHAW resources and information

Blog posts

• Health Inequalities Briefing Pack: What is it and how should we use it? Health inequalities – the unfair and avoidable differences in health across the population – have been getting more attention recently. We believe that with the right tools and resources, NHS staff can feel more empowered to support people experiencing health inequalities. Our briefing pack provides a set of short guides with practical steps that can make a real difference.
• Progress to tackle racism in psychiatry, but there’s more to be done. Discrimination and racism are embedded in society, and as a product of society, medicine is no exception. The journey toward racial equity in psychiatry is far from over. But by acknowledging the past, celebrating progress, and committing to continued action including encouraging the next generation of Black psychiatrists through our Aggrey Burke Fellowship, we can work towards a future where mental health care is truly inclusive for all.

Podcast

Consultant child and adolescent psychiatrist Dr Vic Chapman joined us to explore anorexia nervosa — a complex and often misunderstood eating disorder that affects many young people. Dr Chapman explained the key features of anorexia nervosa, early signs, the psychological and physical impacts, the diagnostic process, and holistic treatment approaches. She also discussed the importance of early identification and timely intervention, the role of family-based support, and the multifaceted factors that lead to recovery.

MHAW 2025

Last year, the theme of MHAW was Community, an area which plays a pivotal role in mental healthcare. This is an area where the College has been active in addressing the crucial intersection between community and mental illness. See below for the content we produced for MHAW:

Press release

• People with substance use and mental health disorders suffering harm and premature death after being excluded from care, warns RCPsych - a press release highlighting a new report which calls on the UK and Devolved Governments to provide substance use and mental health services with the training, staff and funding they need to improve care.

Blog posts

• Community Mental Health Framework (CMHF): making the vision a reality - a post from President Dr Lade Smith CBE; the CMHF provides a constructive vision for the expansion of services but it needs to be properly resourced.
• It’s time to restore continuity of care in our mental health service - another post from President Lade Smith about how continuity of care strengthens the therapeutic relationship because it allows our patients to build trust with us over time.
• My journey from South Asian to UK practice, second motherhood, community and cultural differences - Dr Supriya Agarwal talks about the challenges of coming to work as a psychiatrist in the UK, and her experiences.
  

Social prescribing information

Social prescribing helps to connect people to community services and puts them in contact with other local people who can help to support their mental and physical health.

• Social prescribing mental health information - read our detailed information about social prescribing

• Podcast discussion - listen to the discussion between CPD eLearning’s Trainee Editor, Dr Nadia Imran, and the College's lead on social prescribing, Dr Katherine Kennet on how connecting people with activities, groups and services can improve health and wellbeing.

Quality standards for professionals

• Community of Communities - this is a quality improvement and accreditation programme for Therapeutic Communities (TCs) in the UK and overseas.