This week celebrates Mental Health Awareness Week (May 12-18, 2025)
The theme this year celebrates the power and importance of community.
Being part of a safe, positive community is vital for our mental health and wellbeing. We thrive when we have strong connections with other people and supportive communities that remind us, we are not alone.
Communities can provide a sense of belonging, safety, support in hard times, and give us a sense of purpose.
Many of us find online communities, such as, gaming chat rooms, a safe space to vent or debate things, to meet others who share your interests and experiences and feel connected. But be aware that not all communities are good for our mental health – for example, an online group should not make you feel uncomfortable, unsafe, or think badly about yourself.
“A positive community should make you feel comfortable, safe, inclusive and good about yourself.”
Download good vs bad online communities feel like poster
See our stay safe online page
Top Tips for Staying Safe Navigating Online Communities
Finding an online community to help my mental health – Mental health forums can be a more helpful space to talk about how you feel online. Below are some you can try:
Finding an online community group to share interests – Connecting with others where you have shared interests or joining a group to learn something new can help us feel better and stay active. You could look at:
- Joining a running club or try doing a Park Run
- Look at youth group activities provided by – 4YP (Ipswich) The Mix (Stowmarket) Level Two (Felixstowe) The Junction (Lowestoft) and Abbeycroft (Brandon & Newmarket)
- See our Clubs and Activities page
Other Ways to Boost Your Mental Health
There are other ways to boost our mental health, such as regular movement, mindfulness and spending time in nature.
- Try our 30 Day What’s Up Challenge
- Find out why moving more can help our mental health
- Get creative – drawing and crafts are really good for our mental health
- Pets and nature are great and calming us down when we feel stressed out.
Download our Mental Health Awareness Week Poster to raise awareness of where young people in Suffolk can go to find mental health support.
Resources
10 Ways to get involved with your community poster
What are the benefits of online communities poster
Top tips for safely using online communities poster
For more about Mental Health Awareness Week at: mentalhealth.org.uk