Every year on 10th October, World Mental Health Day reminds us that opening up about our struggles is the first step towards healing. At Pai, this topic is close to my heart, and over the past five years, we've donated £34,000 to our mental health charity partners: Mind, Black Minds Matter UK, and The Loveland Foundation.
These funds have helped an estimated 700 people take that crucial first step into therapy or professional support. We know that's just the beginning. We want to support many, many more.
This year's theme focuses on mental health in an unequal world. It's something our charity partners work tirelessly to address.
While one in four people will experience a mental health problem each year, these issues hit some communities harder than others. Mental health conditions are more common in Black women than other ethnic groups, according to the NHS. People receiving benefits are twice as likely to report poor mental health. Black people are four times more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act than white people.
The pandemic made everything worse. Requests for anxiety support increased by 703%. More than 75% of people say their mental health deteriorated during lockdown, whether from grief, isolation, or financial stress.
Access to mental health support shouldn't depend on who you are, what you earn, or where you live. But too often, it does. But help is available. There are helplines and services ready to help you take that first step.
This World Mental Health Day, I want to say something simple but important: start the conversation, whether with a friend or a kind stranger.
These resources can help you take that first step:
- Talk to someone you trust. A text, a voice note, a phone call, or an honest conversation on your next walk. Tell someone you're struggling.
- Call Mind's Infoline on 0300 123 3393. Open 9am to 6pm, Monday to Friday (except Bank Holidays).
- Visit Mind's website and use their live chat to speak with a trained advisor.
- Text SHOUT to 85258 for free, confidential support 24/7.
- For Black Minds Matter UK, visit their website to sign up for workshops and resources.
- Call the Samaritans on 116 123. Free support, 24 hours a day, 365 days a year.
- If you're in the US and interested in The Loveland Foundation's therapy fund, apply through their website.
The Skin-Mind Connection
I built Pai from my own skin struggles, so I know firsthand how deeply skin and mental health are connected. Stress triggers inflammation, which shows up as breakouts, sensitivity, and flare-ups. Meanwhile, visible skin conditions can impact confidence and create a cycle of anxiety.
Skincare won't solve systemic mental health inequalities, but the connection between skin and mind is real. When your skin feels calm, you often feel a bit calmer too. It's why every Pai product is formulated to reduce inflammation, not just treat symptoms. And it's why getting enough sleep and managing stress are as important to your skin as what you put on it.
How You Can Help
Beyond looking after yourself, there are ways to support mental health awareness:
- Check in with those around you. A simple "how are you really?" can open doors.
- Share resources. Post helpline numbers on your social channels. Someone might need them.
- Support mental health charities directly through the links above.
- Remember that mental health support is healthcare, not a luxury. Advocate for better access in your community.
During our upcoming sales, we'll continue donating a portion of proceeds to our mental health partners. But the most important thing you can do today doesn't cost anything. Reach out to someone. Listen without judgment. Let them know they're not alone.
In a world where mental health support is still unequal, every conversation we start matters.
Sarah x
Statistics sourced from Rethink Mental Illness and charity partner research. Image credit: Loveland Foundation
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Pai Skincare doing for World Mental Health Day?
Pai has donated £34,000 over five years to three mental health charity partners: Mind, Black Minds Matter UK, and The Loveland Foundation. These funds have helped an estimated 700 people take a crucial first step towards a conversation or therapy session with a professional.
Why does World Mental Health Day focus on inequality?
Mental health issues disproportionately affect certain groups. According to NHS data, mental health issues are more common in Black women than among other ethnic groups, and Mind's 2021 research found that 58% of people receiving benefits said their mental health was poor. Black people are also four times more likely to be detained under the Mental Health Act than white people.
How has the pandemic affected mental health in the UK?
The impact has been significant. There was a 703% increase in people seeking advice and information about anxiety, and more than 75% of people surveyed said their mental health had worsened as a result of the pandemic, according to Rethink Mental Illness.
What mental health helplines and services are available right now?
You can call Mind's Infoline on 0300 123 3393 (weekdays 9am to 6pm), text 'SHOUT' to 85258 for a free 24/7 confidential text service, or call the Samaritans on 116 123 any time, any day. In the US, The Loveland Foundation offers a therapy fund you can apply for through their website.
Which mental health charities does Pai Skincare support?
Pai partners with Mind, Black Minds Matter UK, and The Loveland Foundation. Each organisation works to make mental health support more accessible to those who struggle to find it, with a particular focus on addressing inequality in access to care.
