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Breaking Down Barriers: Why Community and Investment Are Key to Mental Health Progress in 2025
- Schoen Clinic UK
- 22 hours ago
- 4 min read
By Dr James Woolley, Consultant Psychiatrist, Schoen Clinic Chelsea
As Mental Health Awareness Week (13–19 May) and European Mental Health Week (20–26 May) bring mental wellbeing into the spotlight this May, a growing movement is calling for change, not just in how we treat mental illness, but in how we prevent it.
Two clear themes have emerged from the headlines, policy reports and public conversations this month: the transformative power of community connection and the urgent need for systemic investment in mental health services. These developments point to a pivotal moment for the future of mental health care in the UK and across Europe.
1. Community care as the cornerstone of mental health recovery
The Mental Health Foundation’s 2025 theme, “Community”, reflects a growing body of research showing that strong social bonds protect against loneliness, anxiety and burnout. Whether it’s a local support group, a workplace wellbeing programme, or an online peer network, connection is increasingly recognised as a powerful protective factor in mental health.
Organisations like the Electrical Industries Charity are paving the way with peer-to-peer mental health networks designed to reduce stress and isolation in high-pressure sectors.
Meanwhile, the BBC’s Wellbeing Week (10–16 May) has helped normalise conversations around recovery, therapy and resilience, with stories from public figures including Matt and Emma Willis.
“We often underestimate how powerful a sense of belonging can be in recovery,” says Dr James Woolley. “Community doesn’t just support mental health—it can transform it.”
2. Strategic investment: NHS Confederation’s six priorities
Alongside the community focus, the NHS Confederation has released a landmark report outlining six key investment areas to improve outcomes and reduce demand across mental health services:
Support for perinatal mental health: Around one in four new mothers experience a mental health problem during or after pregnancy, with many hiding their struggles. The NHS recommends better funding for health visitors and midwives to identify and support women early. Evidence suggests this could save £490m over ten years by reducing long-term health and social costs.
Access to evidence-based parenting programmes: Conduct disorders affect nearly 1 in 20 young people and are linked to lifelong risks including poor mental health, school exclusion and crime. Universal access to parenting interventions like Triple P and Incredible Years can improve outcomes and deliver significant public savings, between £1,000 and £8,400 per child.
Expanding early support hubs for young people: Half of all mental health issues begin before the age of 14. Early support hubs offer young people drop-in access to care without referrals or thresholds. Scaling these hubs, alongside mental health teams in schools, will create a more complete system of preventative support for young people.
Widening access to NHS talking therapies: Although NHS Talking Therapies have expanded, access gaps remain, particularly for racialised communities, older adults and people with complex needs. The NHS proposes launching a parallel service to support those with more complex difficulties, alongside digital therapies and to help manage demand without replacing human care.
Individual Placement and Support (IPS) employment services: Unemployment is both a cause and consequence of poor mental health. IPS services help people with severe mental illness gain and keep employment. Expanding access to IPS could reduce suicide risk and improve quality of life for thousands of people shut out of the workforce.
Tackling social determinants of mental health: From poverty and housing insecurity to discrimination and marginalisation, the NHS recognises the urgent need to address the social conditions that fuel poor mental health. This call aligns with the European Mental Health Week 2025 theme: “Care for mental health, invest in social rights.”
These evidence-based priorities reflect a shift toward proactive, integrated care, moving away from crisis-driven models to long-term, socially informed mental health planning.
3. The role of media in changing the conversation
This May, the UK media has played a key role in amplifying mental health stories. The BBC’s new documentary series Change Your Mind, Change Your Life offers candid insights into the therapy process, while celebrities like Bionic (of Gladiators fame) have publicly discussed their mental health struggles, encouraging open dialogue and challenging stigma.
At the same time, The Guardian has sparked debate around the evolving role of emotional support animals in the workplace and examined the hidden mental health costs of the cost-of-living crisis, issues that continue to impact marginalised groups disproportionately.
4. Aligning mental health policy with social justice
The theme of European Mental Health Week 2025—“Care for mental health, invest in social rights”—echoes the NHS’s call to action: that mental health cannot be separated from the social environment.
Key policy discussions this month have highlighted the need to tackle structural inequalities, from housing instability and poverty to access to care for older adults, people with disabilities and ethnic minority communities.
5. What you can do: practical steps to support mental health progress
Whether you’re a health professional, policy advocate, employer or member of the public, here are three ways to help break down barriers this May:
Join or support community-led initiatives during Mental Health Awareness Week and beyond.
Speak up for funding and reform, by writing to local MPs or supporting NHS campaigns.
Share your story - talking openly about your mental health can help reduce stigma and encourage others to seek support.
Closing thoughts
2025 could be a turning point for mental health in the UK - if we commit to the changes we know work. By investing in both community resilience and systemic reform, we can build a more inclusive, compassionate and effective mental health system for future generations.
If you or someone you know needs support, Schoen Clinic Chelsea offers expert-led psychiatric and psychological care tailored to individual needs.
Contact us today or visit our homepage to find out more about how we support individuals with mental health concerns.