A personal reflection as Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 ends — and a quiet promise to myself
The campaigns are fading.
The hashtags are slowing.
And life is already picking up pace again.
But not for me.
Not this year.
Because Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 hit differently.
Not because of a stat. Not because of a headline.
Because of a quiet moment that stopped me in my tracks — a moment where I finally heard something I hadn’t in a long time:
“I remember you.”
I remember you…
That voice wasn’t from someone else. It was from within.
It came during one of my lowest points. When I was mentally overloaded. Emotionally numb.
That moment when Mindfrick kicked in and nothing made sense — except one thing:
“You’ve got this, Mike. One step at a time.”
It wasn’t loud.
It wasn’t confident.
But it was enough.
Enough to move.
Enough to stay present.
Enough to remember that the strongest part of me isn’t the one who performs — it’s the one who stays.
This isn’t a recovery. It’s a remembering.
I’m not trying to bounce back.
I’m trying to come home.
To the part of me I buried under expectations.
The one who didn’t always have it all together.
The one who wasn’t just capable — but fully alive.
And I know I’m not the only one who feels this.
What Warrior Gave Me (Without Giving It Away)
Earlier this year, I attended Enlightened Warrior Training Camp in Spain, alongside 260 people worldwide: business owners, entrepreneurs, leaders, and dreamers.
What we shared?
Mental health challenges.
Every single one of us — in different ways, and at different depths.
In public shares and private conversations, the truth came out:
People are hurting. Silently. Professionally. Privately.
But here’s what stood out the most:
Only a small percentage were actually choosing to face it.
To deal with the discomfort.
To take unconditional action — even when the fear was loud.
Most kept moving. Brushing it off.
Because that’s what we’ve learned to do.
We say:
“Your health is your wealth.”
But if we really believed that, we’d stop cutting wellbeing budgets.
We’d stop rowing back on mental health support.
We’d stop waiting until someone breaks before we step in.
Do we actually care? Or are we just ticking boxes once a year?
That’s the question.
Because if we cared — really cared — we’d listen differently.
We’d lead differently.
We’d build communities, not just teams.
Our people are our greatest asset.
And when businesses start pulling back on training, development, and emotional support, what they’re really saying is:
“I don’t care about you.”
Not indirectly.
Directly.
Mental health awareness means nothing if the moment the campaign ends, we go back to tolerating burnout, praising overwork, and ignoring the emotional reality of our people.
So what now?
For me, it’s not about a 10-step plan or another shiny strategy.
It’s about doing things differently — daily.
✔️ Reaching out before I need rescuing
✔️ Resting without guilt
✔️ Saying what’s true, not what’s easy
✔️ Sending more messages that simply say:
“I remember you.”
Because that reminder might be the only thing keeping someone going.
And in my hardest moments, it’s what kept me going too.
“You’ve got this, Mike. One step at a time.”
P.S.
If you’ve been holding it together on the outside but slowly falling apart on the inside — I remember you.
I’ve been you.
And I still am, some days.
You don’t need to fight your way back.
You just need to take one step.
You’ve got this.
Mike Lawrence: Your Guide to Health & Wellbeing
I’m Mike Lawrence, a passionate advocate for mental health and wellbeing. After overcoming significant health challenges, including brain surgery, I’ve dedicated myself to a journey of self-improvement and helping others thrive. From heart-pounding skydives for charity to soul-enriching travels in Thailand, my experiences have shaped my approach to holistic health.
I love sharing the lessons I’ve learned from these adventures and the powerful audiobooks I devour. Let’s explore the paths to better mental and physical health together. Embrace life’s adventures with enthusiasm and resilience, and remember—you’re never alone on this journey!
Feel free to email me at hello@mikelawrence.co.uk or connect with me on LinkedIn. For more in-depth insights and inspiring stories, read my latest blogs here. Together, let’s create a healthier, happier future!
