Eight small actions to support your mental health with MS

Mental Health Awareness Week takes place from Monday 11 May to Sunday 17 May 2026, and this year’s theme is taking action.

Living with multiple sclerosis can affect your mental health as well as your physical health. MS symptoms, fatigue, pain, changes at work, uncertainty, and the emotional impact of diagnosis can all influence how you feel day to day.

Taking action for your mental health with multiple sclerosis (MS) does not have to mean making big changes. It could mean learning more about MS and mental health, asking for support, making time to rest, joining an online activity, finding a counsellor or speaking to someone who understands.

Everyone’s MS is different, so the action that feels right for one person may not feel right for another. The most important thing is finding information, support and choices that work for you.

Here are eight small actions that may help you support your mental wellbeing when living with MS.

1. Learn more about MS and mental health

MS can affect mental health in many different ways. Some people living with MS experience anxiety, low mood, stress, grief, uncertainty or changes in confidence. These feelings can be linked to symptoms, fatigue, pain, changes in daily life or the emotional impact of living with a long-term condition.

Learning more about the connection between MS and mental health can be a helpful first step. It may help you understand what you are feeling and feel more confident asking for support.

MS-UK’s MS and mental health Choices booklet shares information on mental health and MS, including anxiety, depression, stress and where to find support.

Read the MS and mental health Choices booklet

2. Speak to someone who understands MS

You do not have to manage difficult feelings alone.

The MS-UK Helpline offers information and emotional support to anyone affected by MS. Whether you have a question about multiple sclerosis, need time to talk things through or feel unsure where to turn next, the Helpline team is here to listen.

Speaking to someone who understands MS can help you feel heard and supported. It can also help you explore what information, services or next steps may be right for you.

You can call the MS-UK Helpline on 0800 783 0518, email info@ms-uk.org or visit the Helpline page to find out more.

Visit the MS-UK Helpline page

3. Find a counsellor who understands multiple sclerosis

Finding the right counsellor can feel overwhelming, especially if you are worried about spending your first session explaining MS.

MS-UK has created a counselling directory of fully qualified, registered counsellors who have completed our MS Awareness and Counselling People with Multiple Sclerosis eLearning courses. This means the counsellors listed already have an understanding of MS.

Counselling can give you space to talk about how you are feeling, explore difficult emotions and think about what support may help you. Counsellors offer telephone or online sessions, and some also offer face-to-face appointments depending on where you live.

Each counsellor has shared their experience and costs within the directory. Please mention MS-UK when contacting a counsellor, as some may offer a discounted rate.

Explore the MS-UK counselling directory

4. Take action at work if MS affects your mental health

Mental health and MS can be closely linked in the workplace.

You may be physically able to do your job, but still need support with the emotional impact of living with MS. This could include anxiety, stress, fatigue, confidence or the pressure of managing symptoms while working.

Taking action at work might mean writing down how MS affects you, speaking to your manager, asking for reasonable adjustments or requesting a referral to occupational health.

Our blog Mental health at work and MS shares advice on looking after your mental health in the workplace and asking for the support you may need.

Read Mental health at work and MS

5. Make space for rest and recovery

Taking action does not always mean doing more.

Sometimes, one of the most supportive things you can do is allow yourself time to pause, rest or do nothing. This can be especially important when living with MS, as fatigue, symptoms and emotional stress can all affect energy levels.

Making space for rest might mean blocking out time in your week, saying no when you need to, asking for help or noticing when things are starting to feel too much.

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week, MS-UK is hosting a free online session called Mental health and wellbeing, practical strategies for everyday life on Monday 11 May at 11am.

The session will explore emotional wellbeing, anxiety, depression, rest, support, diet, physical activity and resources available through MS-UK and wider support services.

Book your free place

6. Try an activity that supports MS mental wellbeing

For some people, movement, relaxation or mindfulness can help support emotional wellbeing.

MS-UK’s online activities include sessions such as chair yoga, seated qigong, guided meditation, exercise and mindfulness. These sessions are designed to support people affected by MS and can be joined live or watched on demand.

You may want to try one session and see how it feels. There is no pressure to do everything at once. The right activity for you may depend on your energy, symptoms, mood and personal preferences.

Explore MS-UK online activities

7. Support your body and mind together

Your physical and mental wellbeing are connected.

Things like sleep, nutrition, movement, relaxation and managing fatigue can all play a role in how you feel day to day. This does not mean there is one right way to manage MS. It is about having access to clear information so you can make choices that feel right for you.

MS-UK has a range of Choices booklets and online resources that may help, including information on exercise, diet and supplements, fatigue, mental health and wellbeing.

Explore MS-UK Choices booklets

8. Connect with others affected by MS

Feeling understood can make a big difference.

Connecting with other people affected by MS can offer reassurance, shared understanding and a sense of community. You may want to talk to someone who has similar experiences, join an online group or read stories from other people living with MS.

MS-UK’s Peer Pods are online groups where people living with MS can connect with others who share a common interest, in a positive and supportive space.

Find out more about Peer Pods

When things feel too much

If you feel unable to cope or keep yourself safe, please seek urgent support straight away.

You can call 999 in an emergency, contact NHS 111, or call Samaritans free on 116 123.

You can also visit MS-UK’s mental health support page for further information, resources and useful information.

Visit our mental health support page

Final thought

Taking action for your mental health with MS does not have to be big, perfect or immediate.

It might be reading one article, booking one session, calling the Helpline, joining a Peer Pod, finding a counsellor or giving yourself permission to rest.

Whatever action feels right for you, MS-UK is here to help you find information, support and choices that work for your life with MS.