The Anna Freud Centre has produced a timetable of activities and resources linked to themes and events happening each term

September

9th September 2025

Foetal Alcohol Syndrome Disorder Awareness day

The 9^th day of the 9^th month is International  FASD Day. This is to draw attention to the importance of going alcohol-free for the 9 months of  pregnancy. In the UK we celebrate September FASD Awareness Month.

10th September 2025

World Suicide Prevention Day 

"Changing the Narrative on Suicide" is the triennial theme for the World Suicide Prevention Day from 2024 - 2026. The aim of the theme is to raise awareness about the importance of changing the narrative surrounding suicide and transforming how we perceive this complex issue. Changing the narrative requires systemic change. It’s about shifting from a culture of silence and stigma to one of openness, understanding, and support.

19th September 2025

Youth Mental Health Day

Youth Mental Health Day encourages understanding and discussion of mental health in young people, enabling them to live happy and healthy lives all year round.

October

ADHD Awareness Month

Observed in October each year.  The month serves as a time to celebrate the difference found in neurodiversity while also advocating for new perspectives and better support systems.

Sensory Awareness Month

October is Sensory Awareness Month. Research has estimated that 1 in 6 children in the classroom display sensory processing differences, making it difficult for them to engage and learn. The rate is much higher in children with special needs with 32% showing sensory differences.

6th - 12th October 2025

Dyslexia Awareness Week 

An annual event to raise awareness of dyslexia. The theme this year is 'Raise the Volume' focusing on amplifying the voices, stories, challenges and successes of young people with Dyslexia to drive change in education and beyond, advocating for greater inclusion and understanding.

Every year we produce resources and share information with teachers, employers and the general public to highlight a different dyslexia-related theme. World Dyslexia Awareness Day falls on Thursday 9th October 2025. 

10th October 2025

World Mental Health Day

The official theme of this year's World Mental Health Day is 'access to services- mental health in catastrophes and emergencies'. It's a reminder of the importance of good mental health and the need to prioritise and invest in good mental health. 

6th-12th October 2025

Dyspraxia Awareness Week

The aim of the Dyspraxia Foundation’s event is to raise awareness of dyspraxia and educate children, parents, carers and teachers alike about this disorder, how to manage and treat it and how to tailor certain activities and teaching methods to help people with dyspraxia.

13-19th October 2025

National Braille Week

Aims to raise awareness of the importance of Braille and other alternative formats that open up the written world to people with visual impairments.  It runs in the second week of October, coinciding with World Sight Day which is on October 14th.

17th October 2025

Developmental Language Disorder Awareness Day

DLD is a neurodevelopmental condition impacting spoken language, affecting learning, socialising and mental health. It is often a hidden but common disability that affects 1 in 14 people causing difficulties understanding and using language for no known reason. The day encourages schools, families and communities to wear purple and yellow to make DLD visible and support those affected. 

November

10th - 14th November 2025

Anti-bullying Week

Anti-Bullying Week is an annual UK event held in November which aims to raise awareness of bullying of children and young people, in schools and elsewhere, and to highlight ways of preventing and responding to it.  This year's theme is 'Power for Good'.   Odd Socks Day is taking place on Monday 10th November, with adults and children being encouraged to wear odd socks to celebrate what makes us all unique.

17th - 21st November 2025

Just Talk Week

Just Talk Week highlights the importance of mental health and shines a light on the wellbeing services available in Hertfordshire, whilst promoting the year-round Just Talk campaign. During Just Talk week 2025 we are exploring how music supports your mental health and wellbeing. 

December

3rd December 2025

International Day of Persons with Disabilities

Focusing on challenges faced by people living with disabilities. The day doesn’t discriminate between mental and physical disabilities, and the spirit of the day is to ensure that all people in the world have equal opportunities for work, play, health, and success. People with disabilities can be and very often are contributing and valued members of society, and today is all about appreciating them. The theme for 2025 is Fostering disability inclusive societies for advancing social progress. 

January

4th January 2026

World Braille Day

The theme for World Braille Day is 'Celebrating Accessibility and Inclusion for the Visually Impaired' emphasizing Braille as a vital tool for independence, education and full societal participation for blind and partially sighted individuals, highlighting efforts to build more inclusive, accessible societies. 

21st January 2026

National Hug day - the day is dedicated to celebrating the power of hugs and their ability to bring joy and comfort to both the giver and the receiver. It was first created in 1986 and serves as a reminder of the positve connections that hugs can foster. 

30th January 2026

Parent Mental Health day - Parent’s Mental Health Day is an annual awareness day created to highlight the close connection between parent and child mental wellbeing. It recognises a simple truth: when parents struggle, children feel it too. Not because parents are doing something wrong, but because stress is contagious. 

February

23rd February - 1st March 2026.

Eating Disorders Awareness Week

1.25 million people in the UK are living with an eating disorder right now - but behind every one is a network of loved ones struggling too. Eating Disorders Awareness Week (EDAW) is hosted by BEAT. The theme for 2026 will be raising awareness about the importance of COMMUNITY. Eating disorders can be isolating, making people feel alone whether someone has an eating disorder themselves or whether they are supporting someone. 

9th-15th February 2026

Children's Mental Health Week

A mental health awareness week was launched by Place2Be. The week empowers, equips and gives a voice to all children and young people in the UK. The theme for Children's Mental Health Week 2026 is 'This is My Place', and our aim is to support the systems around children and young people to help them feel they belong.

Children's Mental Health Week takes place every February. It was started in 2015 to give a voice to all children and young people and to raise awareness of children and young people's mental health. Join them in making a difference to children and young people's mental health by taking part in Children’s Mental Health Week.

March

Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month

During the month of March, individuals living with cerebral palsy as well as family members and activists come together by advocating for the cerebral palsy community.  The goal of National Cerebral Palsy Awareness Month is to push for positive change in education programs, the health care system, and the job market to give opportunities to those living with cerebral palsy.  Cerebral Palsy Day is on March 25th.

3rd March 2026

Dyscalculia Awareness day

Dyscalculia is a maths learning difficulty which affects around 6% of the UK population.  Studies into the causes of dyscalculia are about 30 years behind research into dyslexia.  Dyscalculia Day is a unique opportunity to raise awareness of this often overlooked but prevalent learning difficulty, as well as a chance to talk about maths difficulties and anxieties more broadly.   

21st March 2026

World Down Syndrome Day

This global awareness day has been officially observed by the United Nations since 2012.  The date for WDSD - the 21st day of the 3rd month, was selected to signify the uniqueness of the triplication (trisomy) of the 21st chromosome which causes Down syndrome.

The theme is what we are asking supporters to talk about on and around World Down Syndrome Day. This year we are calling on everyone around the world to stand 

'Together Against Loneliness'

Neurodiversity Celebration Week

A worldwide initiative that challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. It aims to transform how neurodivergent individuals are perceived and supported by providing schools, universities, and organisations with the opportunity to recognise the many talents and advantages of being neurodivergent, while creating more inclusive and equitable cultures that celebrate differences and empower every individual.

April

2nd April 2026

World Autism Awareness day/month

Autism Awareness Month starts with with the United Nations-sanctioned World Autism Awareness Day on April 2. It is an international opportunity to increase understanding and acceptance of autism.  There are many ways you can get involved - from wearing blue to having a conversation about autism, every little helps on our journey to awareness. The theme this year is 'Light It Up Blue' wearing blue clothing or accessories, or by lighting up buildings and landmarks in blue. This symbol of solidarity shows support for individuals with autism.

4th April 2026

Auditory Processing Awareness Day

The Hearing Health Foundation mark auditory processing disorder awareness day each year to highlight the effects and challenges for those whose brains struggle to interpret sounds, despite normal hearing, impacting listening and social skills.  Auditory processing disorder affects about 5% of school children. 

Stress Awareness Month 

Has been held every April since 1992 to raise awareness of the causes and cures for our modern-day stress epidemic. It is the time when we have an opportunity for an open conversation on the impact of stress. Dedicated time to removing the guilt, shame, and stigma around mental health. To talk about stress, and its effects and open up about our mental and emotional state with friends, families, colleagues, and professionals.

May

4th-10th May 2026

Deaf Awareness Week

The purpose of Deaf Awareness week is to increase public awareness of Deaf issues, people, and culture. The week focuses on promoting the positive aspects of deafness, encouraging social inclusion, and raising awareness of the organizations locally, nationally and globally that support those who are deaf.

14th May 2026

Apraxia Awareness Day

This event raises awareness of childhood apraxia of speech (CAS), a rare motor speech disorder that affects less than 1% of children. Apraxia is a neurological disorder characterized by the inability to perform familiar movements on command without any physical paralysis. While the desire and the capacity to move are there, the person can't execute the action. So, children struggle to speak clearly as their brains can't coordinate the movements of their lips, tongue, and jaw. The condition is caused by brain damage in the areas that control speaking ability. 

(resources for this day are mostly Australian).

11th-16th May 2026

Mental Health Awareness Week

Each year a different mental health theme is focused on to increase people's awareness and understanding of having good mental health.

June

7th June 2026

Tourette's Awareness Day

The day aims to raise awareness about Tourette Syndrome and bring together those living with the condition. Tourette Syndrome is a neurological condition that is more common in boys than girls and affects approximately one school-aged child in a hundred. The aim is to increase public understanding, challenge myths and foster social acceptance for people with Tourette Syndrome. Campaigns like #ItsWhatMakesMeTic to help destigmatise and encourage empathy for those with TS and tic disorders. 

15th-21st June 2026

Learning Disability Week

Every year we have Learning Disability Week. It is all about making sure the world hears what life is like if you have a learning disability.  Each year, we want Learning Disability Week to smash stigmas and end discrimination and to educate and raise awareness about learning disabilities. 

22nd - 28th June 2026

Deafblind Awareness Week

We aim to inspire those living with deafblindness and to raise awareness of dual sensory loss. Deafblind Awareness Week is always at the end of June to commemorate Helen Kellar’s birthday, 27th June. Helen Keller’s work made a huge difference to the field of sight and hearing loss. Without her efforts, the world today may be very different for deafblind people.