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Mental Health Awareness Week 2026

This Mental Health Awareness Week (11th – 17th May), the theme 

Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 Logo

is centred around taking action to support good mental health. Even small actions can help us feel hopeful and less powerless. While our individual actions matter, when we come together, we are even more powerful. 
 
Organisations across Herefordshire and Worcestershire are coming together to raise awareness of the mental health support available. We are encouraging you to explore the resources listed below and take action. 

Take action for yourself

This Mental Health Awareness Week, find your one thing to boost your mental health. Choose one positive action that works for you.

Walk This May

Residents across Herefordshire and Worcestershire are being encouraged to lace up their walking shoes and take on the ‘Walk This May Challenge’ 2026.

The challenge, led by Active Herefordshire and Worcestershire, Herefordshire Council and Worcestershire County Council, invites people of all ages and abilities to get active, enjoy the outdoors and spark new connections.

The challenge runs from Wednesday 1st of May to Thursday 14th May and features free, friendly and accessible walks ranging from 10 to 90 minutes.

If you want to join the challenge you can find your nearest health walk on the following webpages, no booking is required. Simply turn up at a walk of your choice and have fun:

Herefordshire: The Walk This May pages of the Council website.
Worcestershire: The Health Walks webpage on the County Council website.

Visit Herefordshire Outdoor Active App

The Visit Herefordshire Outdoor Active app brings together trusted, locally curated outdoor routes and activities across Herefordshire, making it easy for users to discover accessible walking, cycling and nature‑based opportunities close to home. The app can:

  • Support recovery, rehabilitation and long‑term condition management through gentle, guided activity
  • Act as a practical tool alongside social prescribing, offering clear and local options to stay active
  • Reduce barriers to participation by highlighting routes suitable for different abilities and confidence levels

Find out more here: Outdooractive - Herefordshire County BID

Take action for somebody else

The environment we live in impacts our mental health. What can you do to help build mentally healthy communities?

Orange button

The Orange Button Community Scheme is available to anyone across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. People who are experiencing suicidal thoughts, or who are concerned about someone they know, can approach Orange Button wearers in their community for information and support. 

Orange Button wearers show that they: 

  • Are confident and willing to talk openly about suicide
  • Can listen without judgement
  • Can guide people towards appropriate help and support

To find out more about the scheme and how to become an orange button wearer, visit: Orange Button Community Scheme | Worcestershire County Council

Take action for all of us

Individual actions matter, but they're only part of the story. We need those in power to take action to ensure good mental health for everyone.

Shout text service 

Shout is a free, confidential and 24/7 text messaging service for anyone in the UK who needs support. If you are struggling to cope and need to talk, trained Shout Volunteers are here for you.

Text the word ‘REACHOUT’ to 85258 to start a conversation with a trained Shout Volunteer. You only need to share what you feel comfortable with, and their volunteers will work with you to take your next steps towards feeling better. They will always try to respond to messages as quickly as possible, but responses can take longer at busy times.  

They will always respond to high risk texters as a priority. Visit their website here: Shout: The UK's free, confidential, 24/7 mental health text service

Herefordshire and Worcestershire Talking Therapies

Talking Therapies provides a range of free, confidential support to people aged 16 and over across Herefordshire and Worcestershire. This includes:  

  • 1:1 therapy 
  • Online therapy
  • Groups and courses 

If you're over 16 and registered with a GP in Herefordshire or Worcestershire, you can refer yourself to the NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Talking Therapies by phone or by completing our online referral form here: Self refer into NHS Herefordshire and Worcestershire Talking Therapies

Children’s mental health support

Our children’s website brings together information on services that support children, young people, and families across both counties. Whether you are a parent, a child, or a young person, you can use this website to learn what to do, when to get help, and who can support you.
You can also find further support where you can filter your experiences and access tailored support within Herefordshire and Worcestershire.

NHS111 Mental Health Helpline

If you need help for a mental health crisis or emergency, you should get immediate expert advice and assessment. It's important to know that support services are available for you to access, whatever you’re going through. 

NHS111 will tell you the right place to get help. You may be able to speak to a trained mental health professional over the phone. 

Call 999 or go to A&E now if: 

  • Someone's life is at risk – for example, they have seriously injured themselves or taken an overdose
  • You do not feel you can keep yourself or someone else safe 

A mental health emergency should be taken as seriously as a physical one. You will not be wasting anyone's time.