A Comparative Study of MHA and NHS Public Health Messaging
Abstract
This in-depth analysis examines three primary sources to map how mental health awareness campaigns frame action, public engagement, and wellbeing practices. The analysis cross-examines two Mental Health America (MHA) resources focused on Mental Health Month planning and action (Ref 1, Ref 2) with the NHS guideline “Five Steps to Mental Wellbeing” (Ref 3). The report distills actionable components, identifies structural similarities and gaps between US and UK public health messaging, and offers a critical synthesis for researchers and policymakers seeking to optimize awareness campaigns for measurable wellbeing outcomes. The core finding is that both MHA materials and the NHS framework foreground practical, self-guided steps, organizational involvement, and public visibility (e.g., Be Seen in Green). However, empirical impact evidence remains limited within these sources, underscoring a need for systematic evaluation and standardized metrics to quantify benefits beyond the dissemination of tips and promotional graphics. According to Ref 1, the emphasis on individual boundary setting, utilization of support systems, and self-care leads to periodic and sustainable change. As identified in Ref 2, the historical nature of Mental Health Month (established in 1949) and the scalability of its planning guide facilitate the participation of communities, schools, and businesses. Ref 3 emphasizes the interaction between individual lifestyle changes and social connection through a five-step framework but raises the need to re-evaluate the effectiveness of each campaign.
Introduction
Purpose and Research Questions
Identify the core mechanisms by which public health communication promotes individual behavioral change and social participation by comparing two MHA resources and the NHS five-step framework.
Evaluate the message structure, tools (worksheets, calendars, graphics), feasibility, and limitations of each resource.
Present necessary research design elements to ensure current campaigns translate into measurable and sustainable impact.
Theoretical Framework and Context
Mental Health Month in the United States has functioned as a campaign to promote national interest every May since its inception in 1949, providing organized resources such as planning guides, graphics, handouts, and wellness calendars (Ref 2).
The NHS Five Steps framework suggests that the combination of an individual’s daily habits and social connections has a positive impact on mental health (Ref 3).
Differences between the two contexts appear in the layers of community leadership and policy support, as well as the possibilities and limitations of expanding participation using digital tools.
Methodology
Data Collection: Systematic analysis of three sources. Qualitative comparison of content summaries, tools, execution strategies, validity, and limitations.
Analytical Procedure: (1) Identification of message components, (2) Assessment of the specificity of execution tools, (3) Analysis of participation modes (individual vs. organizational), and (4) Verification of explicit mentions of effectiveness measurement.
Source Analysis
Ref 1: Mental Health Month Action Guide (Mental Health America)
Core Data and Insights
Purpose and Target: Emphasizes strengthening self-care for individual health promotion, promoting action for oneself, and community participation for everyone.
Tools and Resources: May 2025 Wellness Tips Calendar, worksheets (daily planning), PDF resource lists, DIY toolkits, and guidance on setting boundaries, requesting support, and self-care.
Execution Examples: Distinguishes between “Take action for yourself” and “Take action for all,” presenting individual-level practice and community-level campaign expansion. Provides systematic tools such as “Breathing through urges” guided activities and the “Creating lasting change for your mental health” webinar.
Limitations: While the spread and utilization of web-based tools are presented, indicators or evaluation plans to objectively measure the effectiveness of the campaign itself are limited.
Interpretive Implications according to Ref 1
Individual-level behavioral change and resource accessibility are key factors in promoting actual participation. This suggests that a mixed strategy of digital platforms and print media can operate effectively.
Multilayered messaging (self-care vs. community action) balances individual autonomy and social responsibility.
Ref 2: Mental Health Month (Mental Health America)
Core Data and Insights
Historical Context: The founding and continuation of Mental Health Month demonstrates the importance of public responsibility and local-level participation in public health campaigns.
Diversity of Execution Tools: Provides multi-layered communication tools including planning guides, graphics and printables, handouts, social media graphics, the “Be Seen in Green” campaign, and outreach ideas.
Scalability of Participation: Presents ideas for various participants including individuals, organizations, businesses, and schools (public events, awareness activities, fundraising, etc.).
Communication Strategy: Enhances accessibility through visual elements, a combination of online and offline efforts, and linguistic accessibility (downloadable Spanish versions).
Limitations: While the scope and sustainability of public messages are emphasized, quantitative evidence of direct effectiveness data or behavioral change is not provided.
Interpretive Implications according to Ref 2
Historicity is an element that strengthens brand trust and participation motivation. The continuity since 1949 contributes to the credibility of the communication.
Multi-layered tools and categorical participation suggestions allow for customized engagement for institutions, schools, businesses, and individuals.
Ref 3: Five Steps to Mental Wellbeing (NHS)
Core Data and Insights
Framework Composition: Presents five basic principles: Connect, Be Active, Take Notice, Keep Learning, and Give. Each principle shares the goal of strengthening daily habits and social connections.
Evidence and Application: The NHS page provides specific behavioral examples for each step, designed to be easily introduced into an individual’s daily life.
Nature of the Resource: As a public health guide, it focuses on general recommendations for individual behavioral change. It shows commitment to maintaining up-to-date information by providing the last review date (2022) and the next scheduled review (2025).
Limitations: Specific clinical effects or large-scale efficacy studies are limited. While the five principles are universal, differentiated strategies for specific population groups are not presented.
Interpretive Implications according to Ref 3
The five principles act as a universal model for strengthening mental health through individual lifestyle improvements and the expansion of social support networks.
Synthesis and Key Findings
Message Structure: MHA materials balance individual action and community participation, whereas the NHS focuses on specific execution steps for individual habits.
Tools and Execution: Providing practical tools (graphics, handouts, calendars, worksheets) is a common feature of public health communication. Large-scale campaigns like “Be Seen in Green” promote public visual identity and community engagement.
Participation Structure: There is a visible attempt to broaden social scope by designing multi-layered participation pathways including organizations, schools, and businesses.
Evaluation and Evidence: All three sources provide rich execution guidelines and tools, but quantitative evidence of effectiveness and systematic evaluation plans are limited.
Discussion: Implications and Research Proposals
Need for Empirical Research: Randomized controlled trials or experimental designs are needed to evaluate the effectiveness of campaign tools. For example, research is needed to track the impact of using the May 2025 Wellness Calendar on the sustainability of self-care behavior.
Indicator Design: Intermediate indicators (rate of consultation requests, self-care activity time, frequency of social connection) and long-term indicators (mental health scales, changes in medical utilization, academic/work performance) should be applied together.
Optimization of Communication Strategy: The utility of visual accessibility, multilingual support, and community-specific messaging should be comparatively evaluated.
Value of International Comparison: Analyzing the differences between the US and UK helps in understanding the choice of message formats and tools according to cultural contexts.
Conclusion
This in-depth analysis of mental health awareness guides identifies strengths in public health communication in two main areas: the strategy of promoting individual behavioral change and community participation through clear, actionable tools, and the use of multi-layered participation structures and visual promotion. However, these materials do not present systematic research to quantitatively verify effectiveness. Therefore, policy practitioners and researchers must establish indicators and research designs (e.g., behavioral change tracking, cost-benefit analysis) that can prove the value of campaigns and actively utilize academic implications through international comparison.
References
Ref 1: Mental Health Month Action Guide | Mental Health America.
URL: https://mhanational.org/mental-health-month/action-guide/
Ref 2: Mental Health Month | Mental Health America.
URL: https://mhanational.org/mental-health-month/
Ref 3: Five Steps to Mental Wellbeing – NHS.
URL: https://www.nhs.uk/mental-health/self-help/guides-tools-and-activities/five-steps-to-mental-wellbeing/
Summary of Key Data Points
Ref 1: May 2025 Wellness Calendar, DIY tools, emphasis on boundary setting and self-care, and promotion of action at both individual and societal levels.
Ref 2: History since 1949, graphics and printables, “Be Seen in Green” campaign, and various participation pathways.
Ref 3: Specific examples of the five steps, emphasis on the interaction between habit formation and social connection, and explicit next review date (2025).