Publish date: 10 October 2025
Today is World Mental Health Day (Friday 10 October), and this year the theme is the importance of recognising the signs of overwhelm.
This year’s theme highlights the critical need for people to receive mental health support during crises and emergencies and the feeling of being overwhelmed and the purpose of the day is to raise awareness about mental health issues and to promote positive changes in mental health support systems worldwide.
For our Grenfell impacted community we acknowledge how challenging this year has been and how this is likely to have taken its toll on people’s well-being and wellbeing.
Talking about our mental health can help us cope better with life’s ups and downs. Why not take this opportunity to check in with your colleagues, peers, family and friends?
It can sometime feel as if we are the only ones struggling but it is important to remember that others in your life may also be having a tough time. Today, on World Mental Health Day, we would like to invite you to join us in spreading kindness. If someone is not acting like themselves, it is an opportunity to reach out and have a conversation. You may find you have more in common than you think.
Talking about your mental health
1. Choose someone you trust to talk to
This might be a friend, family member or a colleague. Or you might be more comfortable talking to someone you don’t know, for example, through a support helpline. It can help to do a pros and cons list about talking to someone.
2. Think about the best place to talk
It’s important to choose a place where you feel comfortable enough to open-up. You might want to choose somewhere private where you are less likely to be disturbed. You also might want to talk while you do an activity, like walking together.
3. Prepare yourself for their reaction
Hopefully you will have a good experience when you open-up to someone. But there is a chance that they may not react in the way you hope. This may be for different reasons, like they may be worried or not fully understand at first. If that’s the case, try to give them time to process what you’ve told them. It might help to give them information to read to help them understand. And don’t forget to be kind to yourself and practise self-care.
If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, you are not alone, and there are places you can go to get help.
We in the NHS are also here to help
If you are affected by Grenfell, the NHS Grenfell Health and Wellbeing Service, is here for you and your family. To access support please call 020 8637 6279 (every day 8am to 8pm) or 0800 0234 650 (overnight: from 8pm).
For more information visit our website: https://grenfellwellbeing.cnwl.nhs.uk/
For emotional support, health and wellbeing support, and urgent mental health support, call 0800 0234 650, 24 hours a day, seven days a week.
For further information about local health support go to: www.rbkc.gov.uk/grenfell-response-and-recovery/support/nhs-support