- News and stories
News and stories
For over fifty years we have been the voice of people severely affected by mental illness. Every year thousands of people see our media coverage, read our blogs and share the stories that matter to them. Take a look around our news and stories archive and be inspired today.
Latest press releases
'The themes are painfully familiar': We respond to review of the state of the NHS
12/09/2024
Rethink Mental Illness has responded to a review on the health of the NHS, urging government to 'reprioritise mental health'. Read more here.
Read more Read more'Change is needed': Our response to Mental Health Act statistics for 2023/24
12/09/2024
Rethink Mental Illness has responded to data on the use of the Mental Health Act in 2023/24. Find out more here.
Read more Read moreOur statement on the first day of the Lampard Inquiry
09/09/2024
As the Lampard Inquiry gets underway, we acknowledge the campaign to get to this point and the painful lessons ahead.
Read more Read moreOur response to sharp rise in suicides
30/08/2024
New ONS data shows a worrying rise in suicides. See our response here.
Read more Read moreOur response to CQC special review of mental health services at Nottingham Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust
13/08/2024
Rethink Mental Illness responds to the CQC special review of mental health services at Nottingham Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust.
Read more Read moreReform of Mental Health Act celebrated by campaigners
17/07/2024
Rethink Mental Illness welcome the inclusion of the Mental Health Bill in the King's Speech.
Read more Read moreLatest personal stories
“I have so much to live for” – Ziggy’s story
17/09/2024
After a difficult adolescence, Ziggy found himself in a constant roulette of manic episodes. With support from family, friends and professionals, like our Rethink Mental Illness Advice and Information Service, Ziggy is now able to enjoy life.
Read more Read more“I’ve learnt and am still learning to embrace my grief” – Karen’s story
10/09/2024
For World Suicide Prevention Day, Karen shares her experience of losing her husband to suicide. With the patience and understanding of her support worker from our Swindon & Wiltshire Support After Suicide Service, Karen has been able to better process her grief.
Read more Read more“Being open is sometimes all it takes” – Florrie’s story
02/09/2024
Florrie has been supporting her son through treatment resistant schizophrenia for 20 years. With the help of family, friends and peers from a Rethink Mental Illness support group, Florrie is able to cherish the positive moments.
Read more Read more“It took me four decades to find out for sure” – Lucy’s story
27/08/2024
After forty years of experiencing the condition, Lucy was finally diagnosed with autism. She reflects on her neurodivergence, social anxiety and involvement with our Wiltshire Inclusion Service.
Read more Read more“I finally feel positive about my present and future” – Hanna’s story
20/08/2024
Hanna has been diagnosed with EUPD (emotionally unstable personality disorder), depression and anxiety over the years. With support from art therapy, her loved ones and Rethink Mental Illness’ Sheffield Crisis House, she has been able to build a joyful life. This year, she will be doing a fundraised skydive for Rethink Mental Illness.
Read more Read more“This part of my life has shaped the person I am today” – Rebekah’s story
13/08/2024
Rebekah has experienced depression, anxiety, OCD (obsessive compulsive disorder) and anorexia nervosa since her teenage years. Despite her challenges, she now works in mental health and advocates for positive change.
Read more Read moreWhy I’m taking on 100 marathons in 100 days
08/08/2024
My name’s Jake, and I’m running 100 marathons in 100 days to raise money for Rethink Mental Illness. Why? That’s a very good question.
Read more Read moreLatest news and views
Patients leaving GP appointments after not discussing all worries
40% of Britons think a 10-minute slot with their GP is not enough time, according to the Guardian. But there are a few steps you can take to prepare for an appointment about your mental health.
Read our advice Read our advice📢 Calling all mental health campaigners!
Do you know anyone who's done some amazing campaigning to support people living with mental illness in the last 12 months? Nominate them (or yourself) for a 2024 Janey Antoniou Award and a chance to win £1,000.
Read more and nominate Read more and nominateCQC report on mental health failures
The Care Quality Commission has published a report highlighting the fundamental failures in Valdo Calocane’s mental health care, which contributed to the tragic deaths of Grace O’Malley-Kumar, Barnaby Webber, and Ian Coates last summer.
Read our response Read our responseWhy I’m taking on 100 marathons in 100 days
My name’s Jake, and I’m running 100 marathons in 100 days to raise money for Rethink Mental Illness. Why? That’s a very good question.
Read my story Read my storySuper four take on six half marathons
Four ambitious influencers are taking on the huge challenge of completing six half marathons in one year for Rethink Mental Illness.
Read about the challenge Read about the challengePartnership to raise awareness of mental health in the Black community launched
Rethink Mental Illness and Black Minds Matter have partnered to shine a light on the unique intersection of race and mental health for the Black community.
Read about the partnership Read about the partnershipMajor mental health reform included in the King's Speech
Rethink Mental Illness is delighted at the inclusion of the Mental Health Bill in today's King's Speech - marking a commitment to reforming the outdated Mental Health Act.
Read our thoughts Read our thoughtsNinja Theory kick £7,000 our way
The developers of a video game raising awareness of psychosis has donated £7,000 to Rethink Mental Illness. Ninja Theory, based in Cambridge, gave the generous gift after the release of Senua’s Saga: Hellblade II.
Learn more about the game Learn more about the gameA system in crisis V social causes of mental illness
Until we address the issues under the surface, we will continue to see increased demand on overstretched public services.
Read more Read moreMisconceptions about mental illness can be severely damaging
We’re fed up of the stigma people living with mental illness still have to endure. We asked people what misconception about their condition frustrates them most.
Here's what they said Here's what they saidOn the BBC
For Mental Health Awareness Week, Rethink Mental Illness featured on BBC News to discuss the benefits of exercising with a mental illness and the barriers to doing so.
Read more Read moreFitness instructors to be trained to help people with severe mental illness get active
We have partnered with industry-leading fitness company FitPro to remove the barriers to exercise for people living with mental illness.
Find out more Find out moreWhat the world needs to know about living with a mental illness
We asked people on social media what they wanted the world to know about living with a mental illness for Mental Health Awareness Week.
Here's what they said Here's what they saidCherished illustrator Raymond Briggs leaves gift in his Will
We are honoured to share that we are one of three charities left a gift in the will of beloved author and illustrator Raymond Briggs CBE, a lifetime member of our charity.
Read about Raymond Briggs Read about Raymond BriggsTeam Rethink shines at the London Marathon
A squad of superstar runners tackled the iconic London Marathon 2025 to raise over £61,000 for Rethink Mental Illness.
Read about the London Marathon Read about the London MarathonAwesome runners raise more than £22,000
A team of 37 runners tackled the London Landmarks Half Marathon on Sunday 7 April and raised a whopping £22,828 for Rethink Mental Illness.
Read about the event Read about the eventRethink Mental Illness wins gold
We are delighted to announce that Rethink Mental Illness & North West London ICB has been officially named as the “Gold” winner of the Best Mental Health Partnership with the NHS at the HSJ Partnership Awards 2024.
Read more Read moreHas mental health culture gone too far?
The Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, Mel Stride, today said to the Daily Telegraph that "mental health culture has gone too far”. We disagree.
Read our thoughts Read our thoughtsThe truth of being a young carer
For Young Carers Action Day we found out what it's really like being a young carer for someone living with mental illness.
Read more Read moreTips for supporting young people with a mental illness
For #ChildrensMentalHealthWeek, our social media team asked young people living with mental illness to share tips for being there for the young people in your life.
Read more Read moreWalking in a Wellness Wonderland
Over 500 people in Leek were treated to a stunning wellbeing Christmas light show this week courtesy of the team at the John Hall Wellness Gardens.
Read more Read moreWelfare and employment announcements: what's changed?
The government recently released a series of new welfare and employment policies that may be distressing for many. We strongly oppose the approach to getting people back into work and the potential loss of financial support for people living with mental illness.
Read more Read moreRethink Mental Illness nominated for inclusivity award
Our work to become a truly diverse, inclusive and anti-racist organisation has been recognised with a nomination at the Inclusive Awards 2023.
Read more Read moreThe R;pple effect
Rethink Mental Illness has installed revolutionary suicide safeguarding software to all staff devices.
Read more Read moreNHS Long-Term Workforce Plan: The positives and negatives
A look at the positives and negatives coming out of the government's long-term plan for the NHS workforce and how it will affect people living with mental illness.
Read more Read moreHow the Government’s Health and Disability White Paper Affects People Living with Mental Illness
Julia Aggio, Senior Policy Officer for Rethink Mental Illness, discusses the government’s recent Health and Disability White Paper.
Read more Read moreOur supporters
Learn who our celebrity supporters and ambassadors are, and how they’re helping us improve the lives of everyone severely affected by mental illness.
Meet our supporters Meet our supportersTell your story
Help us to help others
-
Fundraise for us
Because of our incredible supporters, who fundraise on our behalf and give generous gifts, we can support tens of thousands of people every year. Thank you to everyone who makes our vital work possible.
Start fundraising Start fundraising
-
Volunteer with us
Our wonderful volunteers support our work in many different ways – from backing our campaigns, to reviewing our expert information, to shaping our work as a regional committee member.
Start volunteering Start volunteering
-
Work for us
We have a wide range of passionate and talented employees who do their utmost to raise awareness of mental health issues and provide people severely affected by mental illness with the support they need.
Join the team Join the team