A good mental health poster has one clear message, a headline readable from two to three metres, plain and compassionate copy, and accurate signposting such as Samaritans on 116 123 and NHS 111. Use A3 for noticeboards and waiting rooms and A4 where space is tight, keep body text large, avoid distressing imagery, and give people one simple next step.
What makes a good mental health poster?
The best posters in this space share a few things. They have one message, not five. They are readable from where people actually stand. They use compassionate, plain language. They avoid imagery that could distress or stigmatise. And they leave the reader with something specific they can do, whether that is booking a place on a workshop, visiting a website or calling a support line.
Posters differ from leaflets and flyers in one important way: nobody takes them home. A poster has to land in the few seconds someone spends looking at a noticeboard, which means far less text and far more hierarchy.
The three kinds of therapy poster
1. Waiting-room and practice posters
These live on the walls of your practice, a shared clinic or a GP surgery. Their audience is already seeking help, so their job is reassurance and information: what to expect, confidentiality, your cancellation policy, accessibility information, or where to find support between sessions. They should feel calm and part of the room, not like an advert.
2. Workshop and event posters
These promote something specific, such as a stress management workshop, a bereavement group, a parenting course or a CPD event for other practitioners. They need the practical details (what, who, when, where, how much, how to book) set out so someone can decide quickly whether it is for them.
3. Awareness-day posters
These mark dates such as Mental Health Awareness Week, World Mental Health Day or Stress Awareness Month, often in community spaces, workplaces or universities. They are usually educational rather than promotional, and the signposting matters most here, because they reach people who are not yet seeking help.
Planning awareness-day posters for next year? Our free calendar lists the UK mental health awareness days for 2027 with content ideas for each. See the mental health awareness days 2027 calendar →
A3 or A4: which poster size should you use?
| Size | Finished dimensions | With 3mm bleed | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| A4 portrait | 210 x 297 mm | 216 x 303 mm | Small noticeboards, consulting room doors, frames on a desk |
| A3 portrait | 297 x 420 mm | 303 x 426 mm | Waiting rooms, community noticeboards, workshop promotion |
| A2 portrait | 420 x 594 mm | 426 x 600 mm | Corridors, receptions, event entrances, university foyers |
A3 is the workhorse. It is large enough to be read from a few metres away and small enough to fit on most noticeboards without dominating them. A4 works for doors and small boards but needs even fewer words. If you are producing posters for an event venue, ask what size their frames or boards take before you design anything.
All these sizes, plus leaflets, roller banners and business cards, are in our free print reference with bleed and safe-zone guidance. See the UK print design sizes cheat sheet →
How to lay out an A3 or A4 therapy poster
We use a simple four-zone layout for most posters. It works because it matches the order in which people read: headline first, then a glance at the picture, then details only if they are interested.
- —Zone 1, the headline (top 25 to 30%): the single message, in large type. On an A3 poster, around 60 to 100pt; on A4, 48 to 72pt.
- —Zone 2, the visual (middle): one image, illustration or graphic shape. Optional, but it gives the eye somewhere to rest.
- —Zone 3, the detail (lower middle): two to four short lines of supporting text, or for workshops, the date, time, place and price. Around 20 to 28pt on A3, 16 to 22pt on A4.
- —Zone 4, the action and signposting (bottom): website, QR code, your logo and, where relevant, support line numbers.
Leave generous margins, at least 15 to 20mm on A3, so the poster does not look cramped when pinned between others. White space is not wasted space on a crowded noticeboard; it is what makes your poster readable.
Readability at distance
A rough rule of thumb for signage is about 25mm of letter height for every three metres of viewing distance. Waiting-room posters are usually read from one to three metres, which is why an A3 headline of 60pt or more, and body text no smaller than 18 to 20pt, tends to work. Test it: print a draft, pin it up, and read it from the chair where clients sit.
Design principles for mental health posters
- —One message per poster. If you have three things to say, make three posters, or a leaflet.
- —Calm, considered colour. Deep blues, greens and warm neutrals tend to suit therapy brands; keep text contrast at or above 4.5:1, for example #24343B on #F4F1EA.
- —Avoid distressing or stigmatising images: head-in-hands photographs, dark rain-soaked windows, cracked heads or broken figures. They reinforce stereotypes and can be upsetting for people who are struggling.
- —Prefer warm, real or abstract imagery. A photograph of your actual space, natural textures, or a simple illustration often works better than stock photography.
- —Use your brand fonts and colours consistently so every poster is recognisably yours.
- —Choose matt or silk paper rather than gloss, especially under bright surgery lighting.
Need a calm palette that passes contrast checks? Our free resource has twelve therapy colour palettes with hex codes and contrast ratios. Browse therapist colour palettes →
How to write accessible copy for a mental health poster
Copy for mental health posters needs to be short, plain and kind. Imagine it being read by someone who is exhausted, anxious, or reading in a second language.
- —Use short sentences and everyday words. “Feeling overwhelmed?” rather than “Experiencing symptoms of psychological distress?”
- —Speak to the reader, not about them. “You don't have to have it all worked out” rather than “People with anxiety often…”
- —Avoid stigmatising language. Say “someone experiencing depression” or “living with”, not “suffering from” or “a depressive”.
- —Avoid promises. “Find out about support” is honest; “Feel better in six weeks” is a claim you cannot guarantee and may breach the CAP Code.
- —Avoid fear and urgency. No “before it's too late”, no countdowns, no scarcity.
- —Use sentence case, not all capitals, for anything longer than two or three words; it is easier to read.
- —If the poster discusses suicide, self-harm or other sensitive topics, follow established safe messaging guidance (Samaritans publishes widely used guidelines) and always include support information.
| Poster type | Example headline | Example supporting line |
|---|---|---|
| Waiting room | This is a confidential space | What you share here stays here, except in the rare situations we'll talk about in your first session. |
| Workshop | Managing stress at work: a two-hour workshop | Practical, gentle and small group. Saturday 14 March, 10am to 12pm, [venue]. £25. |
| Awareness day | It's okay to talk about how you're feeling | Talking to someone you trust can help. If you need support now, the numbers below are free. |
| Practice promotion | Counselling for adults in [town] | Online or in person. Free 15-minute introductory call at [website]. |
How should a mental health poster signpost to support?
Any poster that talks about mental health in a public space, and especially awareness-day posters, should signpost to free, immediate support. Make sure the numbers are correct and current before printing. At the time of writing (October 2026), these are the core UK options:
| Service | How to reach it | What it is for |
|---|---|---|
| Samaritans | Call 116 123 (free, 24 hours a day, every day) | Anyone who wants to talk, whatever they are going through |
| Shout | Text SHOUT to 85258 (free, 24/7) | Text-based support for anyone struggling to cope |
| NHS 111 | Call 111 (in England, choose the mental health option) | Urgent mental health help that is not an emergency |
| Emergency services | Call 999, or go to A&E | If someone's life is at risk or they cannot keep themselves safe |
Set signposting text at a readable size, not hidden in tiny print at the bottom. On an A3 poster, 18pt or larger is a sensible minimum for phone numbers. If you work in Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland, check the local routes for urgent mental health support, as they differ from England.
Your own practice poster should also make clear that you are not a crisis service. A calm line such as “I'm not able to offer emergency support. If you need help now, please contact the services below” is honest and protective for both you and the reader.
A mental health poster is often read by someone who isn't ready to ask for help yet. Write it so that they feel understood, not targeted.
Adam Watters, Founder, Psyche Creative
Print specs for therapy posters
- —PDF, CMYK, fonts embedded, 300dpi at final size.
- —3mm bleed on every edge; keep text at least 10mm inside the trim on A3.
- —Paper: 170gsm silk or matt for indoor posters; 200 to 250gsm if they will be handled or reused.
- —Lamination only if needed for durability, and choose matt lamination to avoid glare.
- —For digital screens in waiting areas, export an RGB version (for example 1920 x 1080 px landscape) separately from the print file.
A quick checklist before you print
- —One message, readable from two to three metres.
- —Headline 60pt or more on A3, body text 18 to 20pt or more.
- —Contrast at or above 4.5:1; no text over busy images.
- —No distressing or stigmatising imagery.
- —No promises, fear or urgency in the copy.
- —Accurate, current signposting, set large enough to read.
- —A clear next step: website, QR code, or booking details.
- —Permission from the venue before you pin it up.
If your poster is promoting a talk or workshop, a matching leaflet lets people take the details home. Read our counselling leaflet design guide →
We design waiting-room, workshop and awareness-day posters for therapy practices and training providers, matched to your brand and ready to print. See our Graphic Design service →
Frequently asked questions
What size should a mental health poster be?
A3 (297 x 420 mm) is the most useful size for waiting rooms and noticeboards. Use A4 for doors and small boards, and A2 for corridors or event entrances.
What should a mental health awareness poster include?
One clear, compassionate message, a short supporting line, and accurate signposting to free support such as Samaritans on 116 123, Shout on 85258, NHS 111 and 999 in an emergency.
What images should I avoid on a mental health poster?
Avoid head-in-hands photographs and other imagery that stigmatises or could distress, such as broken or cracked figures. Calm, real or abstract imagery usually works better.
What font size should a poster headline be?
On an A3 poster, a headline of around 60 to 100pt is readable from a few metres away, with body text at 18 to 20pt or more. On A4, scale down slightly and use even fewer words.
Can I put a therapy poster up in a GP surgery?
Only with permission, usually from the practice manager. Many surgeries have a policy on displaying information about private services, so ask first and respect their answer.
Adam works with UK therapy practices, EMDR trainers and mental health organisations on websites, social media and digital campaigns. He started Psyche Creative to give clinicians a marketing partner who understands the sector — and won't compromise on professional standards to get results.
