Mental Health Awareness Week 2025
This year’s theme for Mental Health Awareness Week is connection. A simple word that carries incredible weight when it comes to our wellbeing.
We’re hyper-connected-but-often-disconnected, and when mental health takes a dip, the instinct can be to retreat further into ourselves. But what if one of the most powerful tools for supporting our mental health wasn’t something we do alone, but something we do together?
The Story of Derek
There’s a story I often share from Johann Hari’s book Lost Connections. In it, Hari tells the story of Derek, a man living with severe depression. Medication wasn’t helping much. He was spiralling deeper into isolation.
But then, something shifted. A community project invited Derek to join a local gardening group. At first, he resisted. But eventually, he showed up.
That one decision sparked real change.
Over time, Derek started to feel better. He attributed this to being outside, digging in the soil, connecting with people, and working toward a shared goal. He began to feel a sense of purpose and belonging again. His symptoms didn’t disappear overnight, but they eased, and his outlook changed.
What Connection Does for Us
Connection is a protective factor against loneliness, depression, and even physical illness. It builds resilience, gives us purpose, and reminds us we’re not alone, and science also backs this up.
In Japan, there’s a beautiful concept called the Moai. A Moai is a lifelong social group that supports one another emotionally, physically and sometimes financially, but that’s not the purpose of it. Members of a Moai are assigned, usually in childhood, and commit to looking out for one another for life. This isn’t family but rather chosen family. Imagine growing up knowing that no matter what happens, you have a team that has your back.
We might not have the same Moai concept here in the UK, but that doesn’t mean we can’t build something similar.
Who’s In Your Power Team?
Think about your own circle. Who do you lean on when things get tough? Who lifts you up, grounds you, or helps you see things differently?
Your power team doesn’t have to be large. It could be one person. It could be five. They might be friends, colleagues, family, or people who simply “get” you and are part of your tribe. What matters is that you feel seen, supported, and safe with them. And you’re in their power team, making them feel a deep sense of belonging, safety and purpose too.
A Simple Message for This Week
Hopefully, this simple message has shown you the benefit of community and connection for mental health. For Mental Health Awareness Week, here’s my invitation to you:
- Reach out to someone in your power team.
- Ask, “How are you—really?”
- Offer a moment of presence. A walk, a coffee, a message, a hug.
You never know the difference it could make.
Connection is our emotional immune system. Let’s nurture it, not just this week, but always.
Sustainable people drive sustainable businesses
This message on connection is just one part of Sustain, Leanne’s keynote on personal sustainability and resilient performance. It’s designed to help your leaders and teams build lasting habits around values, identity, community and resources, the real drivers of energy, mood and motivation.
If you’re looking to create a culture that supports wellbeing and high performance, let’s talk.
Book a free, no-obligation chat, or you can find out more about all of Leanne’s wellbeing keynotes.
