This year, the theme of Mental Health Awareness Week is Community, the relationships, groups, and spaces that help us feel connected and supported in everyday life.

Being part of a community is vital for our mental health and wellbeing. We thrive when we feel we belong, when we know we are supported by the people and places around us. A healthy community offers safety, care, and connection, especially in times of stress, illness, or loss.

There are many forms of community: your neighbourhood, your workplace, a sports club, a faith group, your gaming friends, or even an online support network. You can belong to many communities, each offering different forms of support.

But not all communities are positive. Sometimes, a space can feel unsafe or reinforce behaviours that harm your self-worth. If a group damages your wellbeing, it may not be the right place for you.

At the heart of every strong community is connection, the invisible thread that binds us to each other and to ourselves.

Connection turns a group of people into something meaningful. When we feel truly connected, we feel seen, heard, and valued. Communities give us opportunities to strengthen these bonds through shared experiences, mutual care, and a sense of purpose.


We can nurture connection in three important ways:

  • Connection with yourself: Tuning into your own needs, listening to your inner voice, and caring for your mental and physical health.
  • Connection with others: Building supportive relationships with the people who add care and meaning to your life.
  • Connection with nature: Noticing the seasons, taking mindful walks, caring for the environment. These simple acts ground us and soothe the nervous system.

When we build these connections, we become more emotionally secure and resilient. We are better able to regulate stress, process difficult feelings, and show up for ourselves and for those around us.

This Mental Health Awareness Week, let us honour the communities that support us and the connections that make them meaningful. Whether you are reaching out to a friend, joining a group, or simply being gentle with yourself, every act of connection counts.

Written by Jina Khoushnaw, Senior Assistant Psychologist at The Fitzrovia Psychology Clinic