The Athena Programme

Mental health is not separate from safeguarding, it is central to it.

This Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re highlighting the important links between mental health, the Mental Capacity Act (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS), and why understanding them is essential for safe, person-centred practice.

Safeguarding is about more than compliance. It’s about protecting rights, dignity and wellbeing.

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Read our blog: https://lnkd.in/ec4UFEK2

As we approach Mental Health Awareness Week 2026, it’s an important reminder that mental health and safeguarding are deeply connected.

Across health, social care and community settings, we continue to see how mental health can directly impact vulnerability, decision-making and a person’s ability to access support. That’s why understanding the link between mental wellbeing, the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA) and Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards (DoLS) is essential for safe, person-centred practice.
Safeguarding is not just about responding to risk, it’s about recognising it early, understanding it fully, and acting in a way that protects dignity, rights and independence.

At The Athena Programme, we support professionals and organisations to build confidence in exactly these areas through practical, applied training and consultancy.

To support Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re also offering 10% off all MCA & DoLS training bookings made this week.

If you’re looking to strengthen practice, refresh knowledge or invest in your team’s confidence, now is the right time.

You could be a Safeguarding Champion in 4 days.

This time next week, you could be confidently supporting safeguarding across your organisation and helping to create a safer culture.

Our next remote Safeguarding Champions training is nearly here 👇

📅 5th May

If you're looking to strengthen safeguarding practice, support your DSL, and take a more proactive role, this course is for you.

Limited places remaining.

This week marks National Stalking Awareness Week.

Stalking is often minimised or explained away, but it is a serious safeguarding concern.

This week is an opportunity to reflect on how we recognise stalking in practice, and the importance of identifying patterns of behaviour, not just isolated incidents.

The signs are not always obvious, but the impact is real.

Because safeguarding is not just about policy —
it is about protecting people.