Community groups becoming mental health allies
05/01/2025
The theme for this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week (12-18 May) is “community”. The Mental Health Foundation hopes to use the week to spread awareness about the role that community plays in supporting good mental health.
Often, community takes the form of a group of people with a shared interest in something – for example, a faith, sport or hobby. Some groups, such as the UK Men’s Sheds Association, are explicit that part of their mission is to help address causes of poor mental health, such as loneliness and social isolation.
But by providing a safe and supportive environment where people feel able to express themselves and open up about their feelings, any community group can play a role in enabling better mental health, regardless of whether or not this is a core part of their purpose.
In this article, Marianne Cowie, Strategic Lead, Zurich Municipal, and a trained mental health first aider through Mental Health First Aid (MHFA) England, discusses some of the ways that members and volunteers of community groups can support better mental health – from spotting the signs that someone might be struggling, to becoming a more effective mental health ally.
Spotting the signs of poor mental health
Often, one of the signs that someone may be struggling with their mental health is a change in their behaviour, or even their physical appearance.
Some common indicators of poor mental health can include:
- Becoming withdrawn, isolated or forgetful
- Being unusually curt or abrupt
- Experiencing physical ailments, such as regular headaches or poor sleep habits
In more serious cases, you might also notice signs of poor personal hygiene, or substance abuse.
Marianne says what’s important to look out for is whether someone is exhibiting behaviour that’s unusual for them.
She says: “It could be that someone seems withdrawn, but equally, it might be that they’ve suddenly become much louder than normal. It’s about recognising if that person doesn’t quite seem themselves.”
Marianne says one of the things she has learned through mental health first aid training is the importance of being proactive.
She says: “If somebody is struggling, they might find it hard to seek help, so don’t be afraid to approach them and ask ‘are you ok?’ And be prepared to ask that question twice – as often our instinctive response when someone asks us this is to say we’re fine, when perhaps we’re not.”
Having conversations around mental health
While everyone’s circumstances are unique, there are a few things to bear in mind whenever someone is opening up to you about their challenges or about their mental health. It’s important to:
- Show empathy
- Not be judgmental
- Give the other person your full attention
"Be present and don’t get distracted, for example, by your phone, or anything else going on in the background,” says Marianne. “If someone does open up, they’re sharing their vulnerability, so it’s really important you actively listen to what they have to say.
"Avoid the temptation to chip in with unsolicited advice, or say things like ‘you’ll be alright’. Your job isn’t to solve their problems – it's to be empathetic, make sure they feel heard, and where necessary, direct them to appropriate sources of help.”
Taking time to prepare in advance for these kinds of conversations can make a big difference.
Marianne says: “Think ahead about how you might react if someone told you they were in a really difficult situation – for example, if they had experienced a break-up, a bereavement, or were dealing with addiction. Be prepared and practise for these types of conversation.
“If you are able to access it, MHFA England’s mental health first aid training can be really valuable in helping you prepare for conversations around mental health, for example, through role-play scenarios.
“Also, think about sources of help and support you could signpost someone to if their needs are more urgent or complex.”
The Hub of Hope is a useful directory of mental health support resources, including emergency support for urgent or crisis situations.
Being an effective mental health ally
Being an effective ally is in part about empathy, but it’s also about visibility – in other words, being proactive about your role as an ally – for example, by wearing your MHFA England lanyard (if you have received mental health first aid training) to show that you are someone others can talk to.
But even if you haven’t had any training, there are lots of things you can do to be an effective mental health ally.
Marianne says: “Take care with the language you use. Avoid words or phrases that might perpetuate mental health stereotypes, for example, referring to someone’s behaviour as “insane”, or casually throwing around labels associated with genuine mental health conditions, such as obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD).
“Be prepared to challenge others if you feel their behaviour or language may be having a negative effect on others or could discourage them from opening up about their mental health.
“Also, remember that supporting someone who is struggling with their mental health can be incredibly hard and emotionally draining, so make time and space for yourself.”
While aimed primarily at people with formal caring responsibilities, the Mind website has some useful self-care tips for anyone who finds themselves supporting others with their mental health.
