This Mental Health Awareness Week, we’re focusing on the theme and power of Taking Action. Because while raising awareness matters, real change happens when people come together to take action for each other’s mental health and wellbeing, whether that’s by supporting local projects through donations or delivering vital work in the community.
As part of this series, we caught up with Emma at Room Counselling CIC, which provides early, accessible and stigma-free mental health support for children and young people within their own communities. This project was recently funded by an Islington Council‘s Community Chest fund, administered by Cripplegate Foundation.
What happens when a community stops waiting for change and starts taking action for each other’s mental health?
Emma and Lindsay started Room Counselling as they could see a gap in the provision of mental health provision for children within the community. Both experienced therapists working within schools, they wanted to make counselling even more accessible for children and young people.
We have seen the difference it makes when support is offered in familiar, trusted spaces. Children and young people often feel more comfortable opening up, parents feel less alone, and conversations around emotional wellbeing become more natural and less stigmatised.
We’ve also seen how support spreads outwards. When one child feels safer or more understood, it can positively affect family relationships, school life, friendships, and confidence and begin to have a real impact across a community.
2. What actions can support your own or someone else’s mental health and wellbeing?
For children and young people especially, trusted relationships are incredibly important. Having space to talk, play, reflect, or simply be alongside a consistent adult can help them feel more settled, understood, and emotionally supported.
We also know how important these relationships are to us as adults too. Simple actions like checking in with each other, making time to listen without judgement, and just being there for each other can help us to feel connected and supported.
3. What role can all of us play in making Islington feel more connected, supported and hopeful?
In Islington, there is already a strong sense of community in many local spaces and organisations, such as within Elizabeth House where Room Counselling is based. We think there is real value in building on that — creating opportunities for connection and making support feel visible, local, and part of everyday life.
We can all help to make our community feel connected through our relationships: helping each other to know someone will listen, that support exists close to home, and that people care.
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