Mental Health Awareness Week (11-17 May 2026) is a moment many of us recognise. We see the posts, read the stats, and remind ourselves that mental health matters.

This year’s theme, set by the Mental Health Foundation, is action — and that’s an important shift.

Because while awareness has grown, many people are still left wondering: what can I actually do?

That question is especially relevant if you’re studying alongside work, juggling deadlines, or dealing with the pressure to always be “on”. Add exam stress, digital fatigue, and the quiet weight of imposter syndrome, and it’s easy to feel stuck between knowing mental health matters and not knowing how to support it.

So rather than overwhelming advice, this is about small, realistic actions you can take — for yourself, for others, and in your working life.

Action for yourself: small steps that actually fit your day

When you’re busy, well-being advice can feel like another task on the list. The key is to keep it manageable.

A few simple actions that can make a difference:

• Create a clear end to your study day
  Even a short routine — closing your laptop, going for a walk, or making a cup of tea — helps your brain switch off.
• Work with your energy, not against it
  Notice when you focus best and plan your most demanding tasks for those times.
• Reduce digital overload
  If you’re studying online, try building in screen breaks. Even five minutes away can help reset your focus.
• Name what you’re feeling
  Stress, pressure, self-doubt — putting a name to it can make it easier to manage.

If you’d like some guided support, you can reset your day with simple ways to refocus, de-stress and recharge.

Action for others: checking in (and meaning it)

You don’t need to have all the answers to support someone else. Often, it’s about creating space for a conversation.

Practical ways to take action:

• Ask twice
  “How are you?” doesn’t always get an honest answer the first time. A follow-up shows you genuinely care.
• Listen without fixing
  You don’t need to solve everything — just being heard can make a big difference.
• Share useful resources
  If someone is struggling, pointing them towards support can help them take the next step.

For those who want to build confidence in supporting others, the free Mind course is a great resource to explore and share.

You can also sign up to our webinar on supporting mental well-being.

Action at work: protecting your time and energy

Work and study can easily blur together, especially if you’re learning alongside a job. Taking action here is about setting boundaries that support your well-being long term.

Some ways to start:

• Be clear about your capacity
  If you’re balancing study and work, it’s okay to communicate what you can realistically take on.
• Set boundaries around availability
  You don’t have to reply to everything instantly. Protecting focus time is part of working well.
• Speak up early
  If something feels unmanageable, raising it sooner rather than later can help prevent burnout.
• Build movement into your day
  Physical movement isn’t just good for your body — it supports mental well-being too.

You can learn simple ways to build movement into your day to support your mental well-being in our webinar.

Start small, but start somewhere

Taking action on mental health doesn’t have to mean big changes or perfect routines.

It can be as simple as:

• taking a proper break
• checking in on a friend
• or setting one boundary that makes your day feel more manageable.

Mental Health Awareness Week is a reminder — but action is what makes the difference.

And the best place to start is with one small step that works for you.

If you’re looking for more support, you can explore how Kaplan is supporting mental health and well-being.

And sign up to our Mental Health Week webinars for more information and guidance.