Self-management is largely written about in the context of physical health, and is a key component in the effective care of those with long-term conditions. While this approach is much less widely used in relation to mental health, self-management techniques can also be used to control conditions such as bipolar disorder and schizophrenia. This article provides an overview of current opinion, research and policy on self-management in the context of mental health, and discusses how self-management may be used in the effective treatment of attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.