“Knowing where to turn can take away some of the fear at a difficult moment,” – Laura Kennedy, Lead Nurse for Mental Health and Learning Disabilities at NHS 24.

Mental Health Awareness Week runs from 11–17 May. NHS 24 is encouraging people across Scotland to take simple actions to support their mental health – and to know where to turn if they, or someone they care about, needs urgent help.

This year’s national theme, “Take Action”, focuses on the small but meaningful steps that can make a difference. Whether that’s looking after your own wellbeing, checking in on someone else, or understanding how to access the right mental health support when it’s needed.

Lauren Kennedy, Lead Nurse for Mental Health and Learning Disabilities at NHS 24, said people should not wait until they reach crisis point before seeking help.

“Taking action can be as simple as doing something that helps you cope, chatting with a loved one, or knowing where to turn if your mental health feels overwhelming,” she said.

As part of the week, NHS 24 is supporting the Mental Health Foundation’s call to action by encouraging people to consider one action for themselves, one for someone else, and one action for all of us.

Lauren continued:

“Taking care of your mental health can start with just one action for yourself, like stepping outside for fresh air or practicing a calming technique when you’re feeling anxious. One action for someone else might be checking in on a friend or listening without judgement if they want to talk.

“And one action for all of us is knowing where to get urgent help. Support is available day and night, so no one must face things alone.”

NHS 24 provides a range of mental health services, from digital wellbeing resources to telephone support for people who need urgent help. These services are free and available to anyone living in Scotland.

“Knowing where to turn can take away some of the fear at a difficult moment,” Lauren said. “Reaching out for help is a positive action and something that should be done as soon as support is needed.”

• Find out more about mental wellbeing resources on NHS inform or NHS 24’s mental health services