- 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
'Restricting social security isn't the answer': Our response to the autumn budget
30/10/2024
The Labour government has announced its first budget since coming into power. Read our response here.
Read more Read moreCharity calls for investment in mental health services following annual CQC report
25/10/2024
The Care Quality Commission has published its annual report on the state of care within health and social care services for 2023/24. Read our response here.
Read more Read more'The themes are painfully familiar' - We respond to report on harm within mental health units
24/10/2024
The Health Services Safety Investigations Body has published a new report on patient safety within mental health units. Read our response here.
Read more Read moreWe respond to news of consultation on NHS 10 Year Health Plan
21/10/2024
A consultation on the future of the NHS has today been announced. Read our response here.
Read more Read moreWe respond to review of the Care Quality Commission
15/10/2024
A review of the Care Quality Commission has found significant failings in how it is monitoring health and social care services. Read our response here.
Read more Read moreCall for better understanding of severe mental illness as new poll shows nearly a third of all UK adults would not be comfortable sharing a diagnosis with a friend
25/09/2024
Rethink Mental Illness launches new campaign, Let's Rethink, encouraging more people to rethink their preconceptions and stigma towards people severely affected by mental illness.
Read more Read moreLatest personal stories
“I have come so far” – Sophie’s story
28/10/2024
Sophie explores her journey with schizophrenia, touching on the value of electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) and Rethink Mental Illness’ Advice and Information Service.
Read more Read moreOur thoughts on the government’s new Ten-Year Health Plan for the NHS
09/10/2024
New government, new ten-year plan for the NHS. Harvey from the Rethink Mental Illness Policy & Practice team outlines what Labour’s view for the NHS means for mental health services and why it remains important to have your voice heard.
Read more Read moreReclaiming Narratives: Black History Month, the Legacy of UK Race Riots
08/10/2024
Peter Alleyne, our Director of Equity, Diversity, Inclusion and Involvement, talks about the theme of 2024's Black History Month, the legacy of this summer's UK Race Riots and their impact on mental health for the Black community.
Read more Read more"It is not shameful or weak to have a mental illness" – Nadia’s story
25/09/2024
Nadia recounts her journey with bipolar disorder type two. She talks about her mixed-race experience, the stigma found in her cultural and religious community, her relationship with her father and her first hypomanic episode.
Read more Read more“She cancelled the job offer” - Desislava’s story
25/09/2024
After moving to England from Bulgaria, Desislava experienced her first episode of schizophrenia. She shares the stigma and discrimination she faced when seeking employment, but has built a meaningful life since.
Read more Read more“My managers at work treat me differently” - Christopher’s story
25/09/2024
Christopher shares his journey with schizophrenia and severe depression, from crisis point to a fulfilling, peaceful life. Though Christopher is a successful Peer Support Coordinator, he sheds light on his experience of stigma at work.
Read more Read more“I felt so belittled” - Els’ story
25/09/2024
Els was recently misdiagnosed with borderline personality disorder (BPD). She sheds light on the ongoing stigma, misunderstanding and stereotyping she has faced from healthcare professionals because of this label.
Read more Read moreLatest news and views
Expert discussion: The challenges in mental health research
Rethink Mental Illness and MQ Mental Health Research recently held a roundtable discussion about the challenges faced the in mental health research sector.
Read about the discussion Read about the discussionThe truth about OCD
This week is Obsessive Compulsive Disorder Awareness Week. We're here to tell the truth about a common, yet misunderstood condition.
Learn the truth about OCD Learn the truth about OCDReclaiming narratives: the legacy of UK race riots
For #BlackHistoryMonth, Peter wrote about the impact of this summer's UK race riots on the mental health of the Black community.
Read Peter's blog Read Peter's blogBBC Garden Rescue presenter, Chris Hull, backs new anti stigma campaign
BBC Garden Rescue presenter, Chris Hull, is backing Let's Rethink, our campaign to encourage more people to rethink their preconceptions and stigma towards people severely affected by mental illness.
Read more Read moreNew poll shows nearly a third of all UK adults would not be comfortable sharing a diagnosis with a friend
Rethink Mental Illness launches new campaign, Let's Rethink, encouraging more people to rethink their preconceptions and stigma towards people severely affected by mental illness.
Read more Read morePatients 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.
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