Running until 17th May, the annual national awareness week aims to encourage the UK to come together to look at both their own mental health and that of those around them, with 2026 centred on the theme of ‘action’.
The Chamber launched its call to business for 2026 one week ago, advising workplaces to learn what to spot, to coach people and managers to give mental health first aid and review internal processes.
As the week began, Chamber Director of Resources Lucy Robinson advised: “Knowing what to spot and being able to recognise early signs of a possible mental health issue, whether in yourself or in a colleague is of vital importance, even if it seems slight or at an early stage. There has been significant progress in recent years to equip people and managers with the skill to notice any deterioration in mental health. Coaching is an excellent resource and I’d highly recommend businesses explore everything open to them.
“Mental ill health is the leading cause of long‑term sickness absence and the second most common cause of short‑term absence in UK workplaces, while the average number of sickness absence days is now 9.4 days per employee per year – the highest level recorded by the Chartered Institute of Personnel and Development in more than 15 years.”
Chamber research
Research into mental ill health experienced by leaders was published by the Chamber in 2025, produced in partnership with leadership and mental health advocate Gary Parsons.
The key findings:
- Three quarters of leaders said mental health impacts their decision-making
- 6 out of 10 leaders reported work-life balance as their greatest challenge
- Half of leaders reported financial stress as their greatest challenge
- Nearly 1 in 5 leaders reported feelings of isolation or loneliness
- Only three in ten leaders feel ‘very comfortable’ seeking mental health support
Gary Parsons said: “Most leaders I work with already know something needs to change. They feel it. But knowing isn’t the same as acting.
“Our research with East Midlands Chamber in 2025 found 75% of leaders said their wellbeing directly affected their decision-making – yet fewer than 5% were actively doing anything about it. That isn’t about knowledge, it’s about action, and the cost of inaction won’t stay invisible forever.”
Gary Parsons is one of six people chosen to front Changing Faces UK’s ‘Think Before You Speak’ campaign. Gary has Bell’s palsy – a condition that partially paralysed one side of his face at 18.
This week, Gary features in Changing Faces UK’s ‘Think Before You Speak’ campaign for Face Equality Week – appearing in a national campaign video and professional photo shoot alongside five other campaigners. The campaign is backed by research showing 9 in 10 people with a visible difference say they lack confidence and self-esteem – with campaigners saying harmful comments from strangers are a daily reality that can stop people leaving their homes.
Chamber support
The Chamber offers a programme of Mental Health First Aid courses across the year, in partnership with Loates Workplace Wellbeing and regional charities, to gain knowledge and skills to notice signs of people experiencing poor mental health and get the confidence to initiate a conversation and signpost a person to the most appropriate support.
Sarah Loates of Loates HR leads the courses. She said: “Over my HR career, I have seen first-hand and experienced personally the impact of poor mental health at work. It does not discriminate and impacts individuals, teams, people managers and business owners.
“Mental Health Awareness Week highlights that when businesses prioritise wellbeing, they build stronger, more resilient teams. Through our work with the Chamber, we are seeing a welcome shift towards proactive and practical support for mental health at work.”
To find out more about Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) courses delivered by the Chamber, in partnership with Loates Wellbeing, in 2026 and reserve a place, click here.
