Parkinson’s Awareness Month 2026
Mind over Matter
April marks Parkinson’s Awareness Month, a global initiative designed to raise awareness of Parkinson’s.
The 2026 theme is Mind Over Matter; raising awareness of the importance of prioritising a healthy mind whilst living with Parkinson’s. We are encouraging everyone to do something to improve your mental health with Parkinson’s or to fundraise or donate to support the Parkinson’s Mental Health Support Hub.
Prioritising mental health when living with Parkinson’s matters because it directly shapes how well you can manage the condition day‑to‑day, how your physical symptoms behave, and how you experience your own quality of life. Mental and physical health in Parkinson’s are tightly connected, and difficulties in one area almost always affect the other.
How Parkinson’s affects mental health
Parkinson’s isn’t only a movement disorder. It also affects the brain circuits involved in mood, motivation, stress response and thinking. This means symptoms such as anxiety, depression, low motivation, hallucinations, and cognitive changes are common. Nearly 50% of people with Parkinson’s experience anxiety or depression at some point. What many people do not know is that these symptoms aren’t “just emotional reactions” — they can be part of the condition itself, caused by changes in brain chemistry and the stress of adapting to a long‑term illness.
Why Mind Over Matter?
It all starts with the mind. It is impossible to live your best life with Parkinson’s without having good mental health. Not only does a good mental state enable you to feel good within, but a poor mental state can also actually worsen physical symptoms. Experts note that emotions and motor symptoms are intertwined — improving emotional health can reduce the severity of physical symptoms and help people feel more in control.
What are some examples of how you can support your mental health?
- Daily meditation
- Journal
- Do something creative such as colouring, drawing, writing
- For those with anxiety or depression using Parkinson’s CBT (Cognitive Behavioural Therapy) can be extremely helpful. Parkinson’s Care and Support UK developed the first Parkinson’s CBT protocol in 2022 alongside Specialist Neuropsychologists.
- ACT (Acceptance and Commitment Therapy) has also been proven to reduce low mood and anxiety amongst those with Parkinson’s. Parkinson’s Care and Support UK developed the first Parkinson’s ACT protocol in 2022 alongside Specialist Neuropsychologists.
- Engage in Talking Therapies such as counselling. Parkinson’s Care and Support UK launched the newest addition to the Parkinson’s Mental Health Support Hub- Lean on Me- a talk service available for those with Parkinson’s, carers and couples where one or more persons have Parkinson’s.
Get Involved this week
We are appealing for support to fund the world’s only Parkinson’s Mental Health Support Hub, run by Parkinson’s Care and Support UK. The Hub, founded in 2022 was set up to support the mental wellbeing of people affected by Parkinson’s.
Fundraise for Us
Hold your own fundraiser this World Parkinson’s Day in just a few simple steps:
- Decide on what you would like to do e.g a family cycle event, sponsored Nordic walk , Skydive etc
- Download the following to help you with your fundraising:
Email: fundraising@parkinsonscare.org.uk for collection cans, balloons, leaflets and other materials.
- Set up your Justgiving fundraising page.
- Email fundraising@parkinsonscare.org.uk to let us know about your event and to order collection cans, balloons, leaflets and other materials.
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Spread the word by sharing your event and our Parkinson’s Awareness Month Poster
- Fancy a month long challenge? Why not sign up to our Run for Parkinson’s Challenge which is taking place throughout April’ For more information visit Run 100km
