Mental Health Awareness Week: supporting the Armed Forces community through connection and conversation

Mental Health Awareness Week: why it matters

Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from 11–17 May 2026 and provides an important opportunity to reflect on the importance of mental wellbeing, both within our workplaces and across the wider armed forces community.

For many serving personnel and veterans, resilience is often seen as part of military life. However, while strength and perseverance are rightly valued, Mental Health Awareness Week serves as a reminder that mental health deserves the same care, support and attention as physical health.

Supporting serving personnel and veterans

At Bolt Burdon Kemp’s Military Claims team, we regularly work alongside serving personnel, veterans and their families who have faced significant challenges during and after service. We understand that experiences during military life, transition into civilian life and the long-term impact of injuries can all affect mental wellbeing in different ways.

The mental health impact of physical injury

For injured service personnel and veterans, the impact of a physical injury is often far more than physical alone.

Serious injuries can affect independence, identity, confidence and future plans. For many individuals who have built their lives around service, fitness and resilience, adjusting to life after injury can be incredibly challenging. Some may experience feelings of isolation, frustration or even shame following injury, particularly when they are no longer able to perform the roles or activities that once formed a significant part of their identity.

These challenges can understandably have a significant impact on mental wellbeing. This is why ongoing support, connection and community remain so important for injured service personnel and veterans. Feeling understood, supported and included can make a meaningful difference during recovery and beyond.

Reducing isolation through connection and community

One of the biggest challenges some personnel can face after leaving the armed forces is isolation. The sense of camaraderie, routine and shared purpose that comes with military life can be difficult to replicate in civilian life, and for some individuals this can have a significant impact on mental wellbeing.

Recently, our Military Claims team were proud to support a veterans’ coach holiday, helping bring people together through shared experiences, conversation and companionship. Initiatives like these may appear simple on the surface, but they can play an important role in tackling loneliness and helping veterans feel connected and supported. Sometimes, improving mental wellbeing begins with creating opportunities for people to come together.

The role of sport in mental wellbeing

Sport can also play an important role in supporting mental health. Physical activity, social interaction and shared experiences can all contribute positively to wellbeing, while helping to strengthen relationships and reduce feelings of isolation.

We recently had the pleasure of attending the Army v Navy rugby match alongside guests from the armed forces community. Events like these are about far more than sport alone. They provide opportunities for connection, friendship and support, while reinforcing the sense of community that remains so important for many serving personnel and veterans.

Next month, we are also proud to be supporting the Strength of Spirit Games, an inspiring event which brings together injured service personnel and veterans through adaptive sport and competition. Events like these not only highlight resilience and determination, but also demonstrate the positive impact that community, inclusion and shared experiences can have on both physical and mental wellbeing.

For many people, simply spending time with others who share similar experiences can make a meaningful difference.

Taking action beyond one week

While Mental Health Awareness Week helps shine a spotlight on these conversations, supporting mental wellbeing should not be limited to one week each year. Often, small everyday actions can have the greatest impact. Taking the time to check in with a colleague, encouraging open conversations or simply making space for someone to talk can all help create a more supportive environment.

Within both military and civilian settings, there can still be stigma around discussing mental health struggles. Encouraging honest conversations and reminding people that seeking support is a sign of strength – not weakness – remains incredibly important.

Staying socially connected, maintaining physical activity, accessing support when needed and looking out for one another are all simple but valuable ways we can support mental wellbeing amongst ourselves and within our wider communities. Mental Health Awareness Week encourages all of us to reflect on how we support ourselves and those around us.

At Bolt Burdon Kemp’s Military Claims team, we remain committed to supporting the armed forces community not only through our work, but also by recognising the importance of connection, compassion and community. Whether through shared experiences, sport, conversation or simply checking in with one another, small actions can make a meaningful difference to mental wellbeing.