Rethink Mental Illness

A graphic titled "Tips on how to cope with thoughts of self-harm" featuring six illustrated tips: a clock for "Distract or delay yourself," a heart with a shield for "Consider safe alternatives," two speech bubbles for "Talk to someone you trust," a person exhaling for "Do grounding or breathing exercises," a cup of tea for "Avoid alcohol or drugs," and a figure exercising for "Take part in exercise/physical activity."

Having thoughts about self-harm can be confusing and distressing.

But there are steps you can take to cope.

In aid of self-injury awareness day, share these tips. You never know who they might help 💜

Get more advice on our website 👉 https://bit.ly/4l4SEcS

A pink background with dark font over the top which reads: "Too often, eating disorders are misunderstood and stigmatised."

Anyone can develop an eating disorder. But too often, stigma stops people from reaching out for help.

For #EDAW2026, share this post to help us change that.

Find out more about eating disorders, including what support and treatment is available, on our website 👉 www.rethink.org/eatingdisorders

A graphic titled "A society that truly cares for people living with mental illness" with six icons: a clock representing effective, timely mental health support; a hand with currency symbols for a compassionate welfare system; a figure with pointing fingers and text "No stigma or discrimination"; a hand holding a heart symbolizing reliable social care support; a briefcase with ID for more suitable employment opportunities; and a house representing high quality, accessible housing options.

We won't stop until we have a society that truly cares 💜

Visual representation of PTSD showing various symptoms. Top row: "Overwhelming flashbacks" with an exclamation mark icon, "Unwanted memories" with an exclamation mark in a thought bubble icon, and "Often feeling under threat" with a heart and lightning bolt icon. Middle caption: "And like this..." Bottom row: "Feeling numb" with a person icon, "Avoidance of the trauma" with a running figure, "Feelings of shame or 'survivors' guilt'" with a person being pointed at, "Problems with sleeping" with a sleeping person, "Feeling worthless" with happy and sad face icons, and "Dissociation or disconnecting from others" with a solitary figure.

Post traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) can be hugely debilitating.

But with the right support and treatment, you can either fully recover or put steps in place to manage the symptoms.

You can find out everything you need to know about PTSD on our website 👉 rethink.org/ptsd

💜 We're thinking of anyone who finds Valentine's Day tough.

Find out more about causes, linked conditions, treatment and support for psychosis on our website: rethink.org/psychosis

Find out more 👇
www.rethink.org/news-and-sto...

"Infographic titled 'What to do when someone experiences a psychotic episode.' It includes six icons with advice: Avoid saying 'that's not real'; Stay calm and speak slowly; Remind them you're there to help; Remove them from noise, crowds or overstimulation; Ask simple, open questions to offer practical support; Encourage professional support.

⚠️ Experiencing psychosis can be overwhelming.

To support someone, don't argue with what they're going through. Stay calm, listen, and show compassion.

Share this to spread practical ways to help.

📈 In 2023/24, young people waiting over a year for CAMHS treatment increased by 52% on the previous year.

We need to do more to ensure that young people are given access to mental health support when they need it.

#ChildrensMentalHealthWeek

A meme of a famous musician holding his head in his hands in an image of emotion. Words above the image read 'Us when someone says OCD is just about wanting things "clean and tidy":'

🤦 So frustrating.

Get the facts about obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) on our website 👉 rethink.org/ocd

Very proud to be an official partner of Carers Week again this year.

Our charity was formed by carers, and we think the world of them 💜

Mental health is the UK public's biggest health concern.

It should not be turned into a culture war.

A checklist of three mental health reminders, outlined here: 1 - Mental health should never be used as a political football. 2 - Employers should never disclose any details about the mental health of their employees or former staff. 3 - Mental health is the UK public’s biggest health concern. It should not be turned into a culture war.

📢 Easy as 1, 2, 3.

As mental health continues to be discussed in the world of politics, we wanted to share these reminders 👇

🗣️ If someone opens up to you about their mental illness, you don't need to fix things or find solutions straight away.

The best way you can help is by listening carefully and responding with compassion.

We must end the stigma around mental illness.

Even when things are calm, the needle keeps going. It never stops.

The needle is too tightly wound. Slightest change in the norm causes a jump, draws multiple peaks, valleys, dead drops in between.

Not much is needed for things to go haywire. A scent, a sound, a change in tone.

(3/3)

Ida says... "C-PTSD feels like I'm a seismometer needle measuring an earthquake.

A machine of constant motion drawing out patterns, pointing out slightest alteration.

The data feed is never-ending, the threshold to declare exceptional circumstances is low.

(2/3)

👋 Welcome to our 'In Other Words' content series.

Across five weeks, we're sharing five stories.

Each one is written by a real person who describes their experience of mental illness as a metaphor 👇

(1/3)

Blue Monday is not real.

Depression and low mood impact people all year round, not just a random Monday in January.

It's great that the government have made progress on cutting physical health waiting times within the NHS.

But their targets don't include mental health, and record numbers of people are waiting for community mental health support.

We must see action on mental health waiting times.

Branded graphic with accompanying icons which outline that: Bipolar can look like this: Manic episodes Being full of new & exciting ideas Problems with sleep Racing thoughts And like this: Low mood Stigma at work Having less energy Feeling guilty or worthless Delusions or Hallucinations Experiencing side effects from medication Difficulty concentrating Feeling restless or irritable

With the right support and management, people living with bipolar can lead happy and fulfilling lives.

Despite this, the condition continues to be stigmatised and misunderstood.

We want to change that. Get the facts about bipolar on our website 👉 rethink.org/bipolar

Icons demonstratintg different tips for managing in the severe cold weather: Make sure you have enough of your medication if you will struggle to get outside. Icon - medicatoin bottle Stay warm by blocking drafts from windows and doors. Icon - A cold draft coming in. Drink hot drinks, like tea, soup or hot chocolate. Icon - hot drink with steam Use blankets and hot water bottles. Icon - hot water bottle Research whether you are eligible for cold weather payments. Icon - laptop Eat at least one hot meal a day to keep warm. - pot on the hob

⚠️ As Storm Goretti brings heavy snow and 100mph winds, we’re thinking of anyone feeling isolated or unable to heat their home.

Evidence shows that those of us living with mental illness are more likely to have cold homes.

With that in mind, here are some tips for the severe cold weather.

A quote from Hilary's blog on a blue background: "The word 'loss' to describe the death of a loved one is inadequate and inaccurate"

Hilary experienced devastating feelings of grief after her brother took his own life.

In her blog, she speaks about how she navigated those feelings, and what makes her feel hopeful now 👉 bit.ly/45Kv2n9

A graphic with two sides, one side outlining some schizophrenia symptoms and the other outlining some stigma experienced by people living with schizophrenia. On the list of schizophrenia symptoms, it says: auditory & visual hallucinations, delusions, muddled thinking and difficulty concentrating, changes to sleep or energy levels. On the list of schizophrenia stigma, it says: Being treated as a problem rather than as a person, minimal mental health support at work, navigating a punitive benefits system, misrepresented in film and TV shows.

With the right support, we can manage our symptoms.

But too often, we have to deal with stigma too. That must change.

Head to our website to get the facts on schizophrenia 👉 rethink.org/schizophrenia

A graphic with different icons across it to demonstrate different things. At the top, the title reads: In 2026, we're sending love to... Underneath, the following icons are accompanied by words: A clock icon with words saying 'People on a waiting list for support' Fingers pointing at a person with words saying 'Anyone experiencing mental health stigma' A rainy cloud icon with words saying 'People who don't want to be here. It will get better!' A maze icon with words saying 'Anyone who is navigating trauma' A speech bubble icon with words saying 'People who are struggling to word how they feel' A hand with a loveheart with words saying 'Unpaid mental health carers'.

Everyone severely affected by mental illness deserves a good quality of life, no matter their circumstance 💜

Need support this festive season? Here's where to turn: NHS - Contact NHS 111 for urgent mental health support. Shout 85258 - Text them on 85258 Samaritans - 24/7 listening service. Call them on 116 123.

Whatever you do over the festive period, we hope you find some time for the things that make you happy 💜

Our social media team are taking a break until 2 January now, and we won't be moderating our channels in that time.

Here's how you can access support over the holidays if you need it.

A well known meme which is split into two halves. The top half features a person pointing to a board with words that read: "All we want for Christmas is..." And the second half features a board with words on that read: "A mental health ststem that works for everyone"

Who's with us? 🎄

Text in the middle of a branded graphic which reads... Breaking: The Mental Health Act has been reformed! Change is coming, but it won't be immediate...

📢 After decades of campaigning, the Mental Health Act has finally been reformed for the 21st Century.

Someone is detained under the act every 10 minutes in England, so this is a historic moment.

Reform is a huge step in the right direction, but there’s still work to do.

A green background with with words over the top which read: "How to manage your mental health over Christmas"

Christmas can be a magical time. But for those of us living with a mental illness, it can sometimes feel overwhelming.

Our website provides some practical steps you can take to manage your mental health during the festive period 👉 bit.ly/4iqjuux

Text on a branded background which reads: Nobody should have to face mental illness alone.

Waiting times for mental health treatment continue to grow, but our Advice Team are there to help people navigate the system.

Help us reach more people with our trusted guidance 👉 bit.ly/4rGNlmK

The government’s decision to review rising demand for mental health services will prompt many different emotions. For some of the 1.8 million people waiting for support, there may be hope that they will finally feel seen and heard. Or even offered the timely care they’ve been denied for so long. For others, the announcement may bring understandable fear. People may worry that their experiences could be dismissed or that their diagnoses might be questioned or undermined. In this, language matters. We must make sure people feel safe and are not discouraged from seeking the support that they need.

The government and the review team need to approach this with care, honesty and humility. They must take the time to listen and understand the realities people are facing. We stand ready to support them in doing so, and to help ensure that the voices of lived experience are not only heard but placed at the centre. We’ll never stop fighting for a mental health system that works for everyone.

🚨 Our response to the launch of the government’s independent review of rising demand for mental health, ADHD and autism services.

This review needs to lead to change that people can feel: a future where everyone can get the care they need, when they need it.