Now an innovative new campaign is aiming to break the stigma this World Mental Health Day – using a seemingly filthy white van to raise awareness.
Mental health conditions affect everyone of all ages and backgrounds… men, women, children, the elderly, rich, poor – it doesn't discriminate.
That's why it's so important that we are all aware of the signs something could be wrong.
Leading mental health charity, Time To Change has launched a new campaign urging people to #asktwice if you think something is up with a loved one.
And now, the car company Ford, are taking that message to the roads of Britain – in the form of a new art project.
It comes as research, conducted by Ford, found men who work in construction and the trades are at greatest risk of depression.
It inspired artist Ruddy Muddy to take the #asktwice message and plaster it on a white van – to get it in front of those vulnerable men.
His work of art features an image of an elephant stuck inside a transit van, and features the slogan: "Don't let mental health be the elephant in the room.
Another message adds: "If your mate's acting differently, ACT! #asktwice."
Ruddy explained: "When the mental health campaign was first mentioned I knew I wanted to be on board.
"Poor mental health has touched both friends and family and I have seen first hand what a profound impact it can have.
"A chance to do something that increases the awareness of talking and understanding mental health was an extremely interesting idea.
"If it can help just one person then it is a very important muddy van."
The message is urging people to keep a close eye on their loved ones, after more research from Ford found more than one in three people would prefer to open up to friends about their feelings than strangers.
The stats also showed more than half of Brits have had an emotional conversation while in the car, and 60 per cent believed the car is the best place because it's an enclosed space.
One of Ford's mental health champions, Matt Loynes, has battled depression for a decade – but he didn't know how to help himself until a friend started noticing something was wrong.
"A decade ago, I was depressed, I stopped seeing friends and going out," he told The Sun Online.
"You just step back from the world and don’t take part – you don’t notice it happening, it just happens over time.
"One of my friends asked me if I was OK and didn’t stop – maybe pestered is the wrong word but he asked how I was 2, 3, 4 times.
"He was engaged and interested in my wellbeing and interested that I was OK and that I knew there was something there for me, whether that was talking on the way to work or having a drink in the pub after work.
"A decade ago I didn't think I would ever get married or have kids and here I am now, having been married for five years with two kids.
"Don’t get me wrong – everyday there are new challenges and difficulties and I still have panic attacks and moments of 'what the hell is going on here?', but now I have coping mechanisms and support networks.
"I’m in a much better place and being open about it is very cathartic for me – it’s understanding where your head’s at. If you don’t know where your head is how is anyone else supposed to know where it is.
"We need to get people to understand mental health – everyone has it, but we need to get it on the agenda so it becomes part of everyday life."
World Mental Health Day is today and aims to end the taboo around mental health conditions.
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