Mental Health Awareness Week 2025
How does community benefit your mental health?
Being part of a community can make life feel more meaningful and enjoyable, help us feel happier and safer, and improve our mental health. Yet sometimes, although we’re all part of communities, we don’t always realise the benefits for our mental health. Luckily, there are lots of ways for us to get more involved in our communities and boost our mental health and wellbeing.
By making the most of the communities around us, we can strengthen our connections, find new opportunities, and even make new friends along the way. The NHS '5 Steps to Wellbeing' shows how connecting with people is good for our mental health.
Online Communities
Many of us find our communities online. From gaming chat rooms to knitting tips, a safe space to vent to a place for debate – online communities have a lot to offer. A positive community should make you feel safe and good about yourself. But not all communities are good for our mental health. It’s important to recognise when a community is doing more harm than good, for example, if it makes you feel uncomfortable, unsafe, or think badly about yourself.
Find information and resources to keep you connected and safe online.
Support is available for your mental health:
- Samaritans: Offer free emotional support 24/7. Call 116 123.
- Shout 85258: Text SHOUT to 85258 for free, confidential support, 24/7.
- CALM Helpline and webchat: Call the CALM Helpline on 0800 58 58 58 or use their webchat. Open 5 pm to midnight each day.
- The Mind Infoline: Call 0300 123 3393 to seek answers about mental health problems, where to get help and alternative treatments. Open 9 am to 6 pm Monday-Friday (Closed bank holidays).
- Side by Side: is an online community where you can listen, share, be heard and connect with others who understand what you're going through Join Side by Side
- Step Change: can help you find a way to deal with your debt and will support you along the way. Their free and flexible debt advice service is available online, whenever you need it, backed by expert advisors.
- Halton Mental Health Information Hub
