Half of people in the East Midlands use harmful habits to manage mental health, charity warns
The charity said these behaviours can worsen people’s mental health over time
More than half of people (50%) in the East Midlands are using potentially harmful habits to cope with stress, anxiety and low mood, according to new research released for Mental Health Awareness Week.
Polling commissioned by The Mental Health Foundation found 50% of people in the region had taken harmful actions to cope with poor mental health within the last month.
The most common behaviours included spending more time scrolling social media or online content as a distraction, reported by 19% of respondents, and spending more time alone and avoiding people, reported by 24%.
The charity said there is growing evidence these behaviours can worsen mental health over time despite offering short-term comfort.
The research, carried out by polling company Opinium, surveyed more than 4,000 adults across the UK ahead of Mental Health Awareness Week, which runs from today (May 11th 2026) to May 17 2026.
Other harmful coping mechanisms identified in the East Midlands included overeating or comfort eating, also reported by 19% of people, and 15% reported drinking alcohol.
What the results mean and the impact on mental health
Chief Executive at the Mental Health Foundation, Mark Rowland, said the findings showed awareness around mental health had not always translated into positive action.
He said: “To address the East Midlands’ mental health crisis, people must be equipped with the skills and understanding of which actions improve our mental health, and to know which actions may feel good in the short term but worsen our mental health over time.
“Instead, our data shows a concerning number of people, especially young people, are taking actions to cope with poor mental health that could be making their situation worse.”
Rowland warned behaviours such as “doomscrolling”, self-isolation and excessive time spent alone could cut people off from healthier forms of support and connection.
He said: “Behaviours like self-isolation and doomscrolling, are not only potentially harmful in themselves, but they can also cut us off from the positive influences on our mental health, like community and connection to nature.”
Positive actions for mental health
Despite the concerns, the charity said many people were also taking positive steps to support their mental wellbeing.
The polling found 68% of people in the East Midlands had taken at least one positive action for their mental health during the previous month.
The most common included spending time outdoors or in nature, and taking part in physical activity.
However, researchers found nearly half of respondents, 43% were combining positive wellbeing activities with harmful coping behaviours at the same time.
Only 25% said they were exclusively using actions known to support mental health.
Rowland said: “While harmful coping mechanisms are far too widespread, the good news is that many people in the East Midlands are also taking actions that can improve their mental health.
‘’Connecting with nature, spending time with others, doing things we love, and getting moving are all great ways to keep our mood positive and address anxieties and stress.’’
The Mental Health Foundation is also calling on the Government to take further action to address what it described as a growing mental health crisis linked to financial pressures, uncertainty and increasing isolation.
For mental health support, you can contact Samaritans free on 116 123. If you or someone else is in immediate danger, call 999.