World Mental Health Day 2025 - Winter is coming!
Graham Foxwell • 10 October 2025
World Mental Health Day 2025 - Winter is coming!
Today is World Mental Health Day and you can feel the change in the air: the nights are drawing in and many of us start to naturally hunker down.
For some that shift is cosy and replenishing. For others it brings loneliness, low energy and heavier moods.
Over the next couple of minutes I want to share a few simple, ways to check in with yourself, notice when someone else might be struggling, and what to say or do that can actually help.
How the season can affect us
Shorter days and colder weather don’t just mean thicker coats. They nudge our sleep, our energy, our appetite and our motivation out of their usual rhythm. For some people it’s barely noticeable. For others those changes make anxiety, low mood or seasonal shifts difficult.
However, this is all a normal human response. The useful thing is spotting it early so we can be kinder to ourselves and take small, practical steps to look after our mental health at home, with friends and at work.
What to notice in yourself
- Sleep changes: sleeping a lot more or a lot less than usual.
- Loss of interest: things you used to enjoy feel flat or dull.
- Low energy and poor focus: struggling to concentrate or finish tasks.
- Eating changes: big shifts in appetite or weight.
- Irritability or tearfulness: small things tipping you over or feeling numb.
- Pulling away: cancelling plans, avoiding people, staying in more than usual.
- Negative thoughts: feeling like things won’t get better or thinking you can’t cope.
| If a couple of these show up for a few days, do a quick check, in with yourself. If they’re still there after two weeks or feel intense, reach out for support.
What to notice in others
- They go quiet: someone who usually replies quickly stops answering or cancels plans.
- Odd behaviour: more forgetful, distracted or agitated than usual.
- Mood changes: more withdrawn, tearful or easily snappy.
- Self,care slipping: not eating, not showering or letting daily tasks slide.
- Saying they’re a burden or hopeless: take those words seriously.
| Trust your gut, you don’t need to be a Dr to notice a change that matters.
How to reach out
- Start simple: “Hi, I’ve noticed you’ve been quieter lately how are you?”
- Be specific: point to what you’ve noticed, for example “You missed our walk twice this week, are you OK?”
- Listen without fixing: let them talk and reflect back what you hear. “I'm sorry to hear you are going through this , that sounds really tough.”
- Offer practical, small things: a short walk, a coffee, or sitting with them for ten minutes.
- Follow up: check in again. Small, steady contact matters more than a single conversation.
- Respect boundaries: if they’re not ready, say you’ll check in again soon and do it!
| If someone talks about harming themselves or seems in immediate danger, stay with them if you can and get urgent help.
How to ask for help
- Say it out loud: telling one person “I’ve been struggling” takes some weight off.
- Pick someone you trust: a friend, family member, colleague or community group.
- Be clear about what you need: “I need someone to listen” or “Can you help me book an appointment?”
- Take tiny steps: if calling a helpline feels huge, ask someone to do it with you or for you.
|
Most people feel better with the right support and small changes add up.
Three simple actions for this winter
- Notice: do a quick check, in with yourself each week.
- Reach out: name what you see and offer steady company.
- Act: if someone is at risk, get help right away.
World Mental Health Day is a nudge to treat mental health as important, just like physical health. If you liked this, share it with someone who might need to hear it. Take care of yourself and those around you.
Six places of support in the UK:
- NHS urgent mental health support for immediate help via NHS 111 and local mental health services.
- Mind for information, listening services and local support options.
- Samaritans for 24/7 confidential listening support.
- Shout text crisis support available 24/7 by texting SHOUT to 85258.
- Hub of Hope national directory to find local mental health charities and services.
- CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) offering support for anyone struggling, with a helpline and webchat open daily from 5pm to midnight.
Thank you for reading this.
Please feel free to add your comments and share.
Graham
NOTE: Graham is available to give talks and training on this subject and others. Please get in touch here: https://www.cedartree-mhw.co.uk/guestspeaker-gf
#WorldMentalHealthDay #MentalHealth #WinterWellbeing #ReachOut #MentalHealthAwareness #SeasonalAffectiveDisorder #SelfCare #MentalHealthMatters #Cedartreemhw
(c) 2025 Cedar Tree MHW - https://www.cedartree-mhw.co.uk/
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