Mental Health Awareness Week 2026: Danny's story

For Mental Health Awareness Week 2026, the Mental Health Foundation is asking people to take action to support good mental health.

Even small actions can help people feel hopeful and less powerless. And while individual actions matter, when people come together we are all even more powerful.

Romsey Mill engages with many young people who are experiencing poor mental health.

Here is one story that illustrates some of the actions that the Romsey Mill team takes to support good mental health.

Danny's story

Adopting a relational, community-based approach to engaging with, and supporting, young people through whatever situation they might be facing is a fundamental aspect of Romsey Mill's work - and something that has been proven to be very effective over many years.

Danny* (not his real name) is one the young people who attends a Romsey Mill youth group to support home-educated young people, experiencing one or more of a number of disadvantages.

Danny struggles to attend school due to anxiety and poor mental health.

His mum reached out to the local Romsey Mill youth workers to ask whether he could access the group to help with his socialisation and to help him to venture out of the house.

Since joining the group, earlier this year, Danny has attended every week.

However, it has not been straight forward for him.

When he first started attending the group, Danny was very quiet and withdrawn. He would often sit by himself and did not engage with other young people or take part in activities.

He initially struggled to make eye contact with youth workers and would mumble his responses to any conversation.

Over time, the youth workers have seen Danny become much more comfortable within the group.

Each week, Danny has grown in confidence and he now joins in with new activities and interacts with other young people and the youth workers.

Danny especially enjoys cooking and looks forward to preparing something each week, alongside other young people.

Danny's youth worker said:

"It has been wonderful to see his progress, and we look forward to continuing to watch Danny grow in confidence and participation."

Speaking of how he has benefitted from being part of the group, Danny said:

“I enjoy my time at the youth centre. Being part of the group has really helped me to get out the house and meet new people."

"I have noticed a change in my mood and that my confidence has grown”

*The name of this young person has been changed

For more information about Mental Health Awareness Week 2026 check out the Mental Health Foundation website

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