Mental health awareness week

May 11, 2026

The theme of Mental Health Awareness Week (11-17 May) is ‘action’.

One of the things I knew right from the beginning was that as a coach I want to resource people who are feeling burnt out at work. I know from personal experience how valuable it was to have the support of a coach to set goals and take action when that was feeling really out of reach. Now, as a coach, listening carefully to the people I’ve supported on this topic over the last year I can see a couple of clear themes.

Small self-care goals…

… can make a huge difference. What’s one thing you can do to calm your mind when it’s spinning? To soothe your nervous system when it feels like it’s jangling? For me it’s swimming. For others, walking the dog in the hills or playing the piano or drawing. Something that absorbs you. It sounds straightforward, but it can be hard to set goals that are about self-care. Coaching can support you by helping you give yourself permission to give your mental health and your nervous system some attention. This is where coaching conversations often start, and with gentle support, action can follow.

Getting back or moving forward?

Reaching a point of burn out was frightening. How would I get back to how I used to be? I’ve heard coachees say the same and ask the same question. But looking at it another way, maybe the question is more about ‘what do I want moving forward’? Coaching can resource you to work that out – by exploring what is important to you, where you want to direct your energy and what no longer serves you – and take action to move forward.

For reflection

What has worked for you in the past when you have looked after yourself well?
What one small thing would you like to do over the next few months?
If you did that, what difference would it make to you? And to those around you?
If you are feeling at a fork in the road, what would you like to take with you on the next part of your journey? What do you want to leave behind?

Coaching support from me

I am a qualified transformative coach, and have completed CPD in the area of mental health and coaching. If you’d like to have an informal chat about coaching, book time with me at https://calendly.com/laura-jarque-cockram/30min or email me at hello@laura-cockram.co.uk