Mental health conditions

Need Help? Find Help Now

Mental health conditions are health conditions that affect a person’s thoughts, feelings, emotions or behaviour, and can influence how they cope with everyday life. They can vary considerably in their symptoms, severity and impact.

Some mental health conditions are associated with an increased risk of suicidal thoughts and behaviour. However, having a mental health condition does not mean someone will become suicidal. Suicide is complex and rarely has a single cause, with different factors often coming together at a particular point in someone’s life.

Mental health conditions can have a significant impact on how someone experiences and responds to the world around them. They can affect mood, thoughts, behaviour, relationships and a person’s ability to cope with stress or difficult experiences. For some people, this can contribute to feelings of hopelessness, isolation or being unable to see a way forward, which may increase the risk of suicidal thoughts or behaviour.

For men, there can be additional barriers to recognising and responding to mental health difficulties. Some men may be less likely to talk about how they are feeling, seek professional help or ask for support. Expectations around masculinity can sometimes make it harder to acknowledge difficulties or show vulnerability, meaning that struggles may remain hidden from the people around them.

7.5x

higher risk of suicide for people with mental disorders.

1 billion+

people worldwide are living with a mental health condition.

90%

of people who die by suicide are estimated to have a mental health condition at the time of their death.

Types of mental health conditions

There are many different mental health conditions, and they can affect people in different ways. Below are some common conditions and difficulties, along with information about their symptoms and impact on everyday life.

Anxiety disorders

Depression

Stress and stress-related problems

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Eating disorders

Bipolar disorder

Anxiety disorders

Depression

Stress and stress-related problems

Obsessive-Compulsive Disorder (OCD)

Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD)

Eating disorders

Bipolar disorder

Signs that someone may be struggling

Mental health difficulties are not always easy to see. Someone may appear to be coping while experiencing difficulties privately. Changes in behaviour, mood or everyday routines can sometimes be signs that someone is struggling.

Possible signs include:

Noticeable changes in mood or behaviour
Withdrawing from friends, family or usual activities
Losing interest in things they normally enjoy
Difficulty concentrating or making decisions
Changes in eating or sleeping habits
Increased use of alcohol or other substances
Feeling overwhelmed, hopeless or unable to cope

Recognising changes early can create an opportunity to offer support and encourage someone to seek appropriate help.

Real stories

Hearing from others can help us understand what living with mental health difficulties can feel like. These stories share personal experiences of struggling with mental health, suicidal thoughts and difficult periods, as well as the importance of connection and seeking support.

Stephen Fry, actor, comedian and writer

Stephen Fry has spoken openly about living with bipolar disorder, including periods of severe depression and suicidal thoughts. He has also spoken about suicide attempts and the impact his condition has had on his life.

After being diagnosed with bipolar disorder, Fry spent several months seeing a therapist and later received ongoing treatment, including medication. He has spoken about how talking openly about his mental health has been an important part of managing his condition.

Ed Sheeran, singer-songwriter

Ed Sheeran has spoken openly about his experiences with depression, anxiety, grief and disordered eating. Following the deaths of two close friends and his wife’s health difficulties, he described experiencing suicidal thoughts and feeling unable to cope.

His wife encouraged him to seek therapy, which he says helped him talk openly about his feelings and manage his mental health. His story shows how mental health conditions and difficult life experiences can come together, and the importance of seeking support rather than facing things alone.

Zayn Malik, singer

Zayn Malik has spoken openly about experiencing anxiety and difficulties with eating during his time in One Direction. He has described how the pressures of a demanding schedule and feeling a lack of control affected his mental health, and how anxiety became difficult enough to affect his ability to perform.

By talking publicly about his experiences, Zayn has challenged the idea that men should hide their difficulties or deal with them alone. He has also spoken about how returning home and spending time with his family helped him regain a sense of wellbeing and move forward.

Are you struggling?

Mental wellbeing deserves regular attention, just like physical health. Small, sustainable changes to everyday life can support your mental wellbeing and help you manage difficult periods.

Stay connected

Healthy relationships can provide companionship, encouragement and a sense of belonging.

You could:

Make time for friends and family
Take part in social or community activities
Talk to someone you trust when things become difficult

You do not have to deal with difficult experiences alone.

Keep active

Physical activity can have a positive effect on mood and can be a useful way of managing stress. It does not have to involve an intense workout – walking, cycling, swimming, gardening, dancing or simply moving more throughout the day can all help.

Sleep well

Sleep plays an important role in emotional regulation, concentration, energy and overall health.

Helpful habits may include:

Going to bed and getting up at consistent times
Reducing screen use before bedtime
Avoiding large amounts of caffeine later in the day
Keeping your bedroom comfortable and suitable for sleep.

Eat well and stay hydrated

A varied and balanced diet can support both physical health and mental wellbeing.

Try to:

Eat meals at regular times
Include a variety of fruit and vegetables
Drink enough water throughout the day
Limit excessive alcohol consumption and highly processed foods

Find healthy ways to manage stress

Stress cannot always be avoided, but healthy ways of managing it can make difficult periods easier to cope with.

You might find it helpful to:

Try mindfulness or meditation
Practise slow, controlled breathing
Break large tasks into smaller steps
Take regular breaks
Spend time outdoors or in nature

Make time for things you enjoy

Activities that provide enjoyment, creativity or a sense of achievement can support emotional wellbeing. Making time for hobbies, music, sport, cooking, reading, gardening or spending time with people you enjoy can help you relax and recharge.

Know when to ask for help

There may be times when self-care alone is not enough. Speaking to someone early can prevent problems from becoming more difficult to manage. You do not need to wait until you are in crisis to ask for support.

Support might come from:

Friends or family members
A workplace or educational setting
Community and voluntary organisations
Counsellors or therapists
A GP or other healthcare professional

Seeking help is not a sign of failure. Reaching out can be an important step towards feeling better and finding the right support.

The following services can provide practical support, advice, and emotional help if you are struggling with your wellbeing.

Anxiety UK

Information, advice and support for people affected by anxiety and anxiety disorders, including self-help resources, support groups and talking therapies.

NHS Talking Therapies

Free talking therapies for common mental health difficulties such as anxiety and depression in England.

Local mental health services

Community mental health teams and other specialist services may provide support for people experiencing more severe or complex difficulties.

Contact your GP

They will help you get support from the right services and will sometimes take appointments over the phone.

SANEline

Mental health helpline offering specialist emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers.

Mind

Mental health charity with trained advisors to talk about your mental health.

Stay Alive app

Whether you’re struggling with your mental health or suicidal thoughts, or supporting someone else, our NHS-recommended Stay Alive app offers practical tools and access to over 800 resources to help you stay safe.

Grounding techniques

Access breathing exercises and grounding techniques that can help deal with overwhelming anxiety, pain or emotions.

Safety plan

Create a Safety Plan to recognise warning signs early and outline the steps you can take if a suicidal crisis is beginning or escalating.

LifeBox

Upload photos and memories to your LifeBox. These reminders can help ground you, bring comfort and offer a moment of calm when you need it most.

Stay Alive app

All of these tools and more are available on our Stay Alive app, making them easy to access when you or someone you are worried about is struggling.

Did you know? Our free app was the first in the UK, has won multiple awards and is helping a million people all over the world. Please consider a donation (whatever you can afford) to continue to develop the maintenance and development of our app.

Story of hope - Julian

Julian has lived with mental illness and autism throughout his life. At times, his mental health has become overwhelming and he has experienced suicidal thoughts, but through these experiences he has learned the importance of connection, support and reaching out.

“Every time, the common denominator for recovery is human contact. I don’t want or expect people to counsel me or offer words of therapeutic wisdom. Sometimes the simplest things – a smile, making eye contact, a thank you, or simply being acknowledged – can make a real difference.”

My name is Julian. I have a lifetime’s history of both mental illness and autism, and I am passionate about ensuring that people with lived experience – whatever that may be – are empowered to share, to raise awareness, to learn and to enrich the lives of others. My most recent ‘brush’ with suicide came a number of years ago. On the day in question, I didn’t feel too bad at first. I did all the things I wanted to do. I felt comfortable, at ease with myself, even optimistic about what I would do in subsequent days. Things seemed OK.

Then something changed inside me. I don’t really know why or indeed how, but I recognised the onset of the feelings and the tangible bodily signs I had experienced previously when desperation had threatened to overwhelm me in this manner. What I’m talking about is a seismic surge downwards, a heart and a mind that race, threatening to be out of control, a body that is both weak and fragile, a heaviness within me. Before I know it, I am confronted with a sense of darkness that traps me. It becomes genuinely physical, something I can reach out and touch and it doesn’t let go.

I tried to move, to walk it off, to will it away, to distract myself, to use both past experience and therapeutic knowledge. But the grip was too tight. Even though my mind was still racing – it did feel, on reflection, like genuine madness – I was able to communicate. And therein lies the lesson. Talking to someone, recognising other people, making eye contact, smiling and finding pleasure – admittedly brief – in how others around me communicate with each other. Little things such as these all served to bring me out of the darkness. Light once more began to radiate.

In truth, suicidal ideation is relatively common for me in my mental health journey. I’d been there before and had come through it with scars inflicted, but with life intact. Every time the common denominator for recovery is human contact. I didn’t want or expect people to counsel me or offer words of therapeutic wisdom. But the simplest things – in this case, the acknowledgement of a meal well prepared and delivered, and a smile – did and do ‘tick the box’. They make me feel human again – safe, reassured and more certain of myself.

Having faith in people has become my mantra. Just like everyone else, I get frustrated at times, I feel unable to communicate at others, I see the bad things amplified in my head. But when I stop and reflect, I recognise that a simple smile and a bit of encouragement go a long way. There are people around me – my family in particular – that I go to for the more intimate and specific issues, to really outpour what I’m trying so hard to negotiate. There are also wonderful organisations, with fabulous staff and volunteers, that are there at the end of a phone or an email. Sometimes, though, it is the simplest of actions and human behaviour that really do make the difference.

Adjusting to people can mean an adjustment to life itself. Every time the common denominator for recovery is human contact. I didn’t want or expect people to counsel me or offer words of therapeutic wisdom. But the simplest things – in this case, the acknowledgement of a meal well prepared and delivered, and a smile – did and do ‘tick the box’. They make me feel human again – safe, reassured and more certain of myself.

Are you worried about someone?

It can be difficult to know what to say when you’re worried about someone’s mental health, but listening, showing you care and encouraging them to seek support can make a real difference. Here are some ways you can support someone you are worried about:

Listen without judgement. Give them time and space to talk without interrupting or immediately trying to solve the problem. Sometimes simply being there can mean a great deal.
Don’t minimise what they’re experiencing. Avoid telling someone to “cheer up”, “snap out of it” or suggesting that what they’re experiencing isn’t serious. Instead, acknowledge how difficult things may feel for them.
Offer practical support. Mental health difficulties can make everyday tasks feel overwhelming. Offering to help with something practical, go for a walk together or simply keep them company can show that they aren’t alone.
Encourage professional support. If they haven’t sought help, gently encourage them to speak to a GP or another appropriate service. You could offer to help them find information, make an appointment or go with them.
If you are worried they may be having suicidal thoughts, our Ask Now, Save Lives page has guidance on how to start a conversation. Asking someone directly about suicide will not put the idea into their head.
Look after yourself too. Supporting someone who is struggling can be difficult. Make sure you have support yourself and remember that you don’t have to take responsibility for someone else’s mental health.

The following organisations offer information, guidance and support for people who are supporting someone with a mental health condition.

Hub of Hope

A UK-wide directory of mental health support services. You can use it to find local and national services for different mental health needs, including support for carers and families.

Mind

Information and advice on supporting someone with a mental health problem, including guidance on different conditions and how you can help.

Samaritans

Information and guidance on supporting someone who may be struggling with their mental health, including how to start a conversation and listen.

Mental Health Foundation

Information and guidance on mental health conditions and how to support someone experiencing a mental health problem, including advice for friends, family and colleagues.

SANEline

Mental health helpline offering specialist emotional support, guidance and information to anyone affected by mental illness, including family, friends and carers.

Stay Alive app

Our award-winning Stay Alive app provides additional information on how to keep someone safe, including warning signs, practical steps, things to avoid and more.

Learn more about how to approach a conversation about suicide and support someone who may be struggling.

Gain the skills to support men

Our half-day mental health and suicide prevention training is focused on supporting men. It is a practical, discussion-based session that will help you recognise distress, understand myths and key risk factors. It trains you to start conversations, respond safely, and connect someone with appropriate support.

Whether you’re experiencing mental health difficulties yourself or supporting someone who is, remember that help is available and recovery is possible. Mental health conditions are common and can affect anyone, and everyone should feel able to talk about their wellbeing without fear of judgement. A compassionate response, an open conversation, or simply letting someone know you’re there can make a meaningful difference. No one has to face difficult times alone.

Men's Suicide Prevention Hub

Find more advice, sources of support, and explore risk factors for men.

Sources

Boxed statistics

1 billion+ people worldwide are living with a mental health condition. – World Health Organization, Over a billion people living with mental health conditions, services require urgent scale-up, 2025.

7.5x higher risk of suicide for people with mental disorders. – Too et al., The association between mental disorders and suicide: A systematic review and meta-analysis of record linkage studies, 2019.

90% of people who die by suicide have a mental health condition at the time of their death. – Cavanagh et al., Psychological autopsy studies of suicide: a systematic review, 2003. and Nock et al., Suicide and suicidal behaviour, 2006.

Image credits

Ed Sheeran — Harald Krichel, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Ed Sheeran-6886 (cropped 2)

Zayn Malik — First Access Entertainment, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Zayn Wiki (cropped)

Stephen Fry — Elena Ternovaja, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons. Stephen Fry at Berlinale 2024