Mental Health Patient Support Healthcare Packs for HCPs
Mental Health Awareness Week: Supporting Mental Health at Every Touchpoint
This Mental Health Awareness Week (13–19 May), we’re shining a spotlight on the tools that help bridge the gap between patients and the support they need — starting with our healthcare professionals.
Traditionally, physical and mental healthcare have been delivered in silos. But true health equity demands that we treat both as inseparable parts of overall wellbeing.
When services are built around the needs of the whole person — physical and mental — we move closer to a system that is truly fit for purpose. Without this integration, patients risk disjointed care and poorer outcomes, particularly in a time when need is growing.
The ongoing impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, compounded by the Cost of Living Crisis, continues to affect the nation’s mental health. In fact, over a third of UK adults say they never make time to talk about their mental health — a sobering reminder that this is a national issue requiring proactive solutions.
Understanding Mental Health Support Barriers
People living with mental health challenges face a wide range of barriers — some personal, some structural, and many deeply rooted in stigma. These include:
- Long waiting times
- Lack of trained professionals
- Limited access to care in underserved areas
- Cultural, language, or literacy barriers
- Discrimination and fear of hospitalisation
- A lack of awareness or self-stigma
- A healthcare system that’s complex and hard to navigate
The result? People who need help may not get it — or may wait too long to receive appropriate support.
Why Mental and Physical Health Must Be Treated Together
Despite growing awareness, physical and mental healthcare are still often delivered as separate services. But the reality is that true patient safety and wellbeing depend on treating both simultaneously — especially as many people experience both physical and mental health challenges.
When services fail to integrate mental health support, patients may receive inconsistent or incomplete care. This disjointed approach contributes to worsening outcomes and prolongs recovery.
And today, more than ever, the need for mental health support is growing. The long-term effects of the COVID-19 pandemic, combined with the current cost of living crisis, have had a profound impact on national mental wellbeing. Yet, according to recent data, over a third of UK adults don’t make space to talk about their mental health at all. This comes at a time when NHS Providers have said they were ‘deeply disappointed’ that the proportion of spending on mental health was falling at a time of ‘soaring demand’ for services.
The Role of HCPs in Supporting Mental Health
Healthcare professionals (HCPs) — from GPs and nurses to counsellors and therapists — are vital in breaking down these barriers. They provide more than just diagnoses; they educate, support, and advocate for better outcomes.
HCPs help mental health patients through:
- Accurate diagnosis and treatment
- Psychoeducation and coping strategies
- Early intervention and continuity of care
- Reducing stigma through understanding
- Cultural competence and accessible communication
- Advocacy and empowerment
- Crisis response and support network guidance
- Signposting patients to trusted charities and wellness providers — Many HCPs don’t have the time or resources to provide long-term mental health care. That’s where partnerships come in. Charities and NHS-supported services are a critical extension of the support system, and HCPs play a key role in directing patients to these resources.
This is where healthcare packs come into their own.
What Are Mental Health Healthcare Packs?
Healthcare packs are practical, physical resources — often developed by charities, NHS partners or health brands — that help healthcare professionals educate and support patients.
They typically include:
- Patient leaflets or cards with charity helpline numbers
- Symptom trackers, wellness planners or self-help tools
- Links to relevant digital resources
- Branded items to keep the message top of mind (e.g. stress balls)
- Posters and educational materials for waiting rooms
These packs are designed to make important conversations easier — whether that’s starting one with a patient or helping them continue it at home.
Why Healthcare Packs Matter
For HCPs, they enable:
- ⏱️ Save time during consultations
- 🧠 Improve consistency in patient education
- ✅ Support legal and ethical compliance through standardised information
- 🔄 Enhance multidisciplinary collaboration
- 📈 Boost confidence in tackling sensitive topics
For Patients, they offer:
- 📘 Clear, accessible information they can digest in their own time
- Greater understanding and control over their care
- 💬 Encourage independent engagement that leads to increased confidence and trust in their provider
- 💡 Enable informed decision-making
- 👨👩👧 Opportunities for family and carers to support more effectively
- 🧭 Aid navigation of complex care systems
For Mental Health Charities
- 🎯 Reach the right audiences at critical moments of need
- 🤝 Build trusted partnerships with HCPs and NHS organisations
- 📢 Increase awareness of services, campaigns and helplines
- 📬 Provide physical reminders that extend beyond the consultation
- 📊 Gather insights on engagement and local needs through distribution data
For Advertisers and Wellness Brands
- 📍 Be present at key touchpoints in the patient journey
- 🧩 Align your message with trusted NHS environments
- 💚 Demonstrate a genuine commitment to patient wellbeing
- 🗣️ Encourage meaningful engagement, not just awareness
- 📈 Drive uptake of services, campaigns, or interventions through targeted placement
Research from Royal Mail Marketreach and Neuro-Insight has shown that physical media captures nearly twice as much attention as digital-only communication — proving that printed support materials remain an incredibly valuable channel.
Choosing the Right Mental Health Support Packs
Effective support starts with selecting the right tools. To ensure maximum impact, healthcare information packs should be:
- Tailored to the local population (age, language, cultural background)
- Accessible (available in large print, easy-read or digital formats)
- Easy to understand, using plain language and engaging visuals
- Up to date with the latest research and contact details
- Available in multiple languages, where appropriate
- Customisable with healthcare provider branding or local resources
- Designed with feedback in mind, allowing continuous improvement
IDS Media UK works closely with healthcare clients to identify the most relevant support packs for their patient population. We can help map out demographic needs and ensure that information is placed where it’s needed most — from GP surgeries and pharmacies to hospitals and health centres.
Implementing Mental Health Support Packs at Scale
HCPs are under immense pressure. Providing them with curated, evidence-based mental health resources helps them offer better care — even in the face of limited time or training.
Whether you’re a healthcare brand, charity, or wellness provider working alongside the NHS, physical healthcare packs offer a practical and proven way to get mental health support into the hands of those who need it — when they need it.
Ready to Distribute Your Mental Health Packs?
At IDS Media UK, we help our clients distribute tailored healthcare information packs across the UK’s healthcare estate. From high-footfall GP surgeries and hospital departments to local pharmacies, our channels ensure your messaging reaches the right people — in the right place, at the right time.
Want to make a difference this Mental Health Awareness Week?
Let’s talk about how your healthcare packs can empower HCPs and support mental health nationwide.
