What is London’s Great Mental Health Day?
Great Mental Health Day is an awareness day with the aim of getting Londoners talking about mental health, to highlight the great support available, and, crucially, take the stigma out of asking for help when needed.
Watch our promotional video to help give you a flavour of what to expect.
When is Great Mental Health Day?
Great Mental Health Day returns on Friday, 26 January.
The day takes place annually on the final Friday of January, this will be the third Great Mental Health Day celebrated in London.
Who organises Great Mental Health Day?
The day began as a local celebration in the London Borough of Haringey before expanding to become a day of celebration for all Londoners, facilitated regionally by Thrive LDN and Good Thinking.
The day is also supported by the Mayor of London, the NHS in London, London boroughs and the Association of Directors of Public Health London, London Councils, and the Office for Health Improvement and Disparities in London.
How do I host a Great Mental Health Day event?
Essentially, however you like! We ask that all Great Mental Health Day events are free where possible and inclusive to everyone. Other than that, a Great Mental Health Day event is whatever you make it but if you want some ideas, you can download a Great Mental Health Day Supporter’s Pack.
Once you’ve organised your event, email info@thriveldn.co.uk with the name of the event, location, time and any other information you’d like to include, and we will post it on our interactive event map.
You can also fill in the form at the bottom of the Great Mental Health Day webpage.
How can I help spread the word about Great Mental Health Day to my networks?
Download our Great Mental Health Day 2024 Supporter’s Pack. It provides all the details about Great Mental Health Day, how you can be involved and how you can spread the word about the activities taking place on or before Great Mental Health Day 2024.
You can also download our communications toolkit which outlines suggested copy for digital and print that can be used across communications in the lead up to and on Great Mental Health Day 2024 itself.
Do you have any tips or suggestions for hosting a Great Mental Health Day event or activity?
- Be as creative as you like! Great Mental Health Day events do not need to follow a specific format or idea, they are not intended to be restrictive. Essentially, the day is whatever you make it.
- Try and make your event inclusive. Events should be free to attend where possible and accessible.
- The aim of the day is to get us talking about our mental health and wellbeing. Think about what you like to do to keep yourself well. Is this something you could share with or teach others to do
- Are there any events you already run locally that you could hold on Great Mental Health Day 2024?
- This year’s Great Mental Health Day aims to explore ‘meaningful connections’. Look for opportunities to create a safe space or opportunity for those in your local area to get together.
- Your events do not have to be held physically. There have always been a mix of virtual and in-person events.
What types of events have others hosted?
If you’re looking for inspiration for the type of event or initiative you might want to organise, below is a list of ideas and previous GMHD activities to give inspiration for your own:
- Organised group walk around the local area
- Yoga Class
- Coffee morning
- Painting class
- Group Meditation
- Mindful art workshop
- Organised safe space to discuss mental health and wellbeing challenges
- Organised tour of local mental health and wellbeing services available to you and your neighbours
- Drama workshop
- Open mic night event
- Local poetry competition
- Parent and baby exercise classes
- Pet therapy sessions
- Shared experience talks/panel discussions
- Art exhibition showing local artists
I’d like to organise a Great Mental Health Day event or initiative but I’m not sure where to start. Can you help?
Yes, as a first step please download our supporter’s pack. If you still need help after that please reach out at info@thriveldn.co.uk and one of our team will get back to you.
How do I attend a Great Mental Health Day event?
You can use our interactive map to search and find events taking place near you or in any London borough on Great Mental Health Day.
If you can’t make an event in-person, there are plenty of online events taking place for Great Mental Health Day 2024. Log on from work or from home to be involved in the day and learn more about improving wellbeing.
Can I use Great Mental Health Day to fundraise?
Great Mental Health Day is an awareness day and is therefore not a fundraising day. We ask that all Great Mental Health Day events are free for those attending, where possible.
How do I let you know about my Great Mental Health Day plans?
You can let us know you’re planning your event by emailing info@thriveldn.co.uk with the name of the event, location, time and any other information you’d like us to include and we will post it on our interactive event map for the day.
You can also fill in the form at the bottom of the Great Mental Health Day webpage.
Can I order Great Mental Health Day printed promotional materials?
For sustainability reasons, we won’t be producing printed materials or resources but we are planning to provide promotional materials which you can access digitally for free, such as downloadable posters, logos and social media graphics.
I have another question not listed here, who am I best speaking to?
The Thrive LDN team. You can contact the team and we will get back to you to have a chat through your plans and ideas.
