Mental Health Awareness Week: Supporting Mind-Body Wellness with Comfort & Community

Mental Health Awareness Week (May 12–18 in the UK) is a gentle reminder for all of us to pause, check in with ourselves, and reach out to others. Because mental health is not solely about crisis or diagnosis. It's about everyday emotions, resilience, and the little things that help us feel whole.

At JulieMay, we believe that feeling good in your body and being supported in your mind go hand in hand. That’s why, throughout May, we’re proud to stand behind mental health awareness efforts and support those who do critical work in this space.

Why the Mind-Body Connection Matters

You’ve probably felt it before: how stress shows up as tension in your shoulders. Your stomach drops in a moment of fear or panic. Or how a joyful moment can leave you buzzing for hours. That’s the mind-body connection in motion. Our thoughts, feelings, and physical sensations are deeply intertwined, each shaping the other in subtle but powerful ways.

In an experiment exploring how words affect water molecules, for example, researchers found that positive, loving words create beautiful, symmetrical crystal patterns, while harsh or hateful words distort them. If language can do that to water, imagine what it does to us. We are made up of about 60% water, after all. 

The way we speak to ourselves matters. A lot. How can we tune into the conversations we’re having with ourselves? What if we treated our thoughts with the same care we’d offer a friend? We must remember that being kind to our bodies starts with being kind to our minds. 

How Skin Conditions and Illnesses Can Impact Mental Wellbeing

But what about external factors? How do skin conditions and illnesses play a role in the mind-body connection? When you’re dealing with something like breast cancer, menopause, or a chronic skin condition, the impact is often far more than physical. It’s emotional. Deeply so.

When your body changes (sometimes suddenly, sometimes slowly), it can feel like the world and people around you don’t always know how to respond. And, sometimes, we don’t know how to respond to ourselves either. That can leave you feeling unseen, anxious, or like you’ve lost a part of yourself. And even the smallest everyday things like getting dressed, looking in the mirror, or stepping out to the shop can become emotionally charged and more challenging than we ever imagined.

Mental health awareness requires us to acknowledge the unique emotional weight that comes with illness, pain, and visible differences. But those differences are part of your story. They shape who you are, how you move through the world, and contribute to the strength you carry within you. 

No matter what you may be up against, please know that you are not alone. Organisations like Breast Cancer Now and the Menopause Experts can offer guidance, resources, and a sense of community when you need it most. 

The Role of Community in Mental Health Awareness and Support

Sometimes, the most healing thing isn’t advice; it’s knowing you’re not alone. When we share our stories, listen without judgement, and simply show up for one another, something powerful happens. Loneliness softens. Confidence grows. And the hard stuff starts to feel a little lighter.

That’s why the theme of this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week celebrates the power of community. 

“Being part of a safe, positive community is vital for our mental health and wellbeing. We thrive when we have strong connections with other people and supportive communities that remind us, we are not alone. Communities can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and give us a sense of purpose,” says the Mental Health Foundation, the organisation leading the UK’s Mental Health Awareness Week since 2001.

We couldn’t agree more. That same belief in the importance of connection is woven into everything we do at JulieMay. What began as a mission to help women with sensitive skin find lingerie that loves their skin back has blossomed into something so much more.

Today, the JulieMay community contains hundreds of compassionate, conscious women (many navigating skin sensitivities, menopause, chronic illness, breast cancer, and more) who finally feel comfortable in their own skin and in their lingerie. Thanks to our partners at Claddagh Creative, we’ve connected with so many of you across the globe who have shared stories that remind us that we are not alone.

Follow us on Instagram and become part of the conversation. This is your space too! Because community is about more than just connection. It’s about care. And care shows up in many forms. Sometimes it’s a kind word. Sometimes it’s a shared story. And sometimes, it’s something as simple as what you choose to wear.

You Deserve Comfortable Support That Respects Your Body

It may be something we tend to overlook, but our wardrobe can impact how we feel, both physically and mentally. Clothes that support rather than restrict (like those with soft fabrics, gentle fits, and thoughtful design) can make a world of difference on days when you just need one thing to feel easy. And, sometimes, wearing something that makes you feel good on the outside can start to have a positive impact on the inside, too. 

If you’re navigating arthritis, post-surgery healing, or limited mobility, our Grace Bra has a front-zip design that delivers accessibility and ease of wear. No twisting, tugging, or struggling to reach for a behind-your-back clasp. Just one gentle zip and you’re in.

In honour of Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re donating 10% of all Grace Bra sales throughout May to Mind, one of the UK’s leading mental health charities. 

For over 70 years, Mind has been a powerful voice for people facing mental health challenges. They offer vital support services like helplines, legal guidance, crisis support, housing, and other local community programmes while campaigning tirelessly to improve mental health policies across England and Wales.

Prioritize Mental Health Throughout Mental Health Awareness Week and Beyond

This mental health awareness week, we invite you to pause. To soften where you can. To speak to yourself with more love and care. And to remember that even small shifts, like choosing lingerie that respects your body (like the Grace Bra’s mobility-friendly design), can make a big difference in how you feel on the inside and out.