Mental health is in crisis. The number of children with severe mental health problems has reached record levels in England.¹ One in eight American adults is now taking antidepressantsMedications that can be used to treat depression and anxiety disorders, although they are not the only treatment option. .² One in three women in the UK report daily feelings of sadness - exceeding the rate of most European neighbours.³

Doctors disagree over the cause of this crisis. However, there is plenty of agreement about the best ways to improve wellbeing. Here are seven top tips:

Spend time in nature. Surveys show that time in gardens, parks and the countryside makes people calmer, less anxious and more hopeful about the future.

Exercise often. Movement - whether dancing, sports, or taking a walk - releases "feel good" hormonesChemicals created inside living creatures. They are used to send messages from one part of the body to another.. "Exercise can be the best antidepressant," argues psychologistSomeone who studies the mind, emotions and behaviour. Susan Pinker.⁵ The theme of this year's MHAW is movement.

Socialise offline. Spending time with friends reduces loneliness and unhappiness. By contrast, people who spend lots of time on social media report worse mental health.⁵

Prioritise sleep. People with good sleep hygiene have a better overall mood. "Sleep is your superpower," says respected HarvardA top US university, founded in 1636. doctor Matt Walker.

Find time to meditate. Reduced stress, increased attention, better sleep, less anxietyA feeling of unease or worry. It can be mild or very severe., less depressionLow mood that affects someone's daily life, and can last for weeks or months.... daily meditation can transform your wellbeing.⁶

Make plans for the future. Having something to look forward to can increase motivation and create optimism. Plans give purpose to people's lives.

Acts of kindness. Generosity towards friends, family and strangers can improve your sense of competence and connection. "Kindness in an antidoteA cure for something. It originally meant a medicine against poison. to isolationBeing alone or apart from other people. ," according to the Mental Health Foundation.⁷

Unhappiness is impossible to escape. Rather than people avoiding experiences that might make them unhappy, it is better to learn ways of coping in tough times.

Can we learn resilience?

Yes: The mind is a muscle. If people perform the right exercises, they will find themselves stronger when things go wrong. Resilience is a skill that anyone can learn.

No: The more people talk about wellbeing, the worse their outcomes. Feeling sad or lonely or lost is part of everyday life. It's a mistake to treat these feelings as mental health problems.

Or... Not everyone has the chance to exercise, or sleep well, or spend time with friends. We also need to create a society without sickness, povertyThe state of being very poor. and isolation.

Antidepressants - Medications that can be used to treat depression and anxiety disorders, although they are not the only treatment option.

Hormones - Chemicals created inside living creatures. They are used to send messages from one part of the body to another.

Psychologist - Someone who studies the mind, emotions and behaviour.

Harvard - A top US university, founded in 1636.

Anxiety - A feeling of unease or worry. It can be mild or very severe.

Depression - Low mood that affects someone's daily life, and can last for weeks or months.

Antidote - A cure for something. It originally meant a medicine against poison.

Isolation - Being alone or apart from other people.

Poverty - The state of being very poor.