Mental health awareness week starts every year on the second Monday in May – in 2019 from 13 – 19 May .

In a world that is increasingly opening up to – and understanding those with – mental health issues, it’s no surprise that Mental Health Awareness Week is now a firmer fixture on calendars around the UK and beyond. It’s organised by the Mental Health Foundation (MHF), and focuses on a major issue each and every year. Last year's focus was on stress.

The theme for 2019 is Body Image – how we think and feel about our bodies.

Body image issues can affect all of us at any age. During the week we will be publishing new research, considering some of the reasons why our body image can impact the way that we feel, campaigning for change and publishing practical tools.

Since the first Mental Health Awareness Week in 2001, MHF has raised awareness of topics like stress, relationships, loneliness, altruism, sleep, alcohol and friendship. This year, they want to reach more people than ever.

When the lay person thinks about body image they might look at ‘overly thin’ people like ballerinas, gymnasts, divers, wrestlers, cat walk models. But it can equally be about people who might be over-weight or look in the mirror and think they are fat. Indeed, after the winter holiday indulgences, the adverts bombarded us with weight loss plans.

On a personal note, I was extremely sporty. Award winning sprinter, long jumper, swimmer, and later whilst at university I played women’s amateur football and even tried my hand at rowing in a mixed crew. But it was gymnastics which was my great love. I had aspirations to go to the Olympics and qualified for US nationals three years in a row. I never had a body image problem; I was slim hipped, broad shouldered and could eat for America. Indeed, they called me the ‘bottomless pit’ thanks to a high metabolism.

Imagine my shock at university when we would be weighed every week. Without naming names, this was overseen by an obese coach. A few of my fellow gymnasts were hardly big. Rather than pressurising with weekly weigh-ins, providing diet and nutrition advice would have been more useful.

Apropos, the UK news today carried a story about sport coaches being given funding to help for mental health awareness training for sport and physical activity.

Soar high during Mental Health Awareness Week focused on body image.

PS That's me!