Britons say ‘I’m fine’ 14 times a week on average, but just 19 per cent really mean it, according to a new survey by the Mental Health Foundation. 

Of the 2,000 adults surveyed, almost a third said they often lie about how they are feeling to other people, while one in 10 never tell the truth about their emotions. Furthermore, over half of us (59 per cent) expect the answer to be untrue when we ask others ‘how are you feeling?’

Following the survey, the Foundation has launched an ‘I’m Fine’ campaign to encourage people to be more open about their mental health and to bring back meaning to daily conversations.

Jenny Edwards, chief executive of the Mental Health Foundation, said: “Next time someone asks ‘how are you?’ try going off the standard script and say the truth instead of ‘I’m fine’ and see how a more meaningful conversation unfolds.”