Mental Health Awareness Week: Why Community is Everything

As a nutritionist and wellness speaker, I spend a lot of time talking about what we put into our bodies. But let’s talk about something just as vital: who we surround ourselves with. Because if there’s one thing I’ve learned, it’s that wellbeing doesn’t happen in isolation.

This year’s Mental Health Awareness Week theme is community, and honestly, it feels like a reflection of my entire journey.

Humans are wired for connection. We come alive when we feel seen, heard, and valued. We’re not meant to carry life’s highs or lows alone and I’ve experienced both.

My First Community: My Family

When I lost my mother and brother, I felt like the ground had been pulled from under me. It was grief like nothing I’d ever known. But I wasn’t alone.

My beautiful daughters, and their mother became my first community. They gave me something to hold on to. A reason to stay grounded. A reason to keep showing up. They reminded me, through their presence and love, that life still had light and meaning ahead of the darkness.

In those moments, I learned a powerful truth: you don’t heal alone. You heal in connection.

How Volunteering Sparked Purpose

Later, when I found myself out of work, I hit a different kind of low. Self-doubt crept in. My confidence dipped. I started questioning what I had to offer.

That’s when I began volunteering as a feeding buddy at Southend Hospital, helping mostly elderly patients during mealtimes. I expected it to be a way to stay mentally active. But it ended up being something much deeper.

I had incredible conversations with people who’d lived long, full lives many of whom shared stories, lessons, and wisdom that changed my perspective. I started to understand the inner workings of the hospital and paid close attention to the dietetics team a department I dreamed of joining once I qualified.

What started as giving my time turned into rebuilding my confidence, gaining relevant experience, and feeling like I belonged again. That volunteer role directly helped me get my first job in a hospital as dietetic assistant.

The lesson? Giving gives back, often more than you expect.

Giving Back Is My Love Language

That energy of contributing, connecting, and helping others win, that is now a core part of who I am.

I’ve supported multiple charities, volunteered across different causes, and organized wellness events and community meetups. Whether it’s feeding people, sharing health knowledge, or bringing people together under one roof, it all comes from the same place: a deep desire to connect and uplift.

I genuinely love networking, not just to grow, but to help others grow. There’s something powerful about seeing people win and knowing you played a small part in it. It’s why I say, tap in.

Friends dining

Giving, to me, is a form of gratitude. It’s a reminder that no matter how low life can get, we always have something to offer. And if you're ever feeling stuck or low? Try giving. Even a small act can shift your vibe and bring you back to life.

7 Ways Community Fuels Mental Health

The Mental Health Foundation outlines seven ways that community supports our wellbeing:

1. Belonging – You remember you’re not alone.

2. Support – Someone’s there when you need help—emotionally or practically.

3. Purpose – Giving creates meaning.

4. Identity – Community helps shape who you are and what you stand for.

5. Connection – Real human interaction boosts mood and reduces stress.

6. Resilience – We bounce back better together.

7. Empowerment – In safe communities, we feel seen, heard, and stronger.

I’ve lived all seven of these and I still lean on them daily.

Real-World Ways to Plug In

Building community isn’t about grand gestures. It’s about showi ng up and staying open.

Here are some ways to get involved:

• Send a message. Reach out to someone just to say, "I’m thinking of you."

• Volunteer. Hospitals, food banks, youth centres, elderly homes—they always need people.

• Host or attend events. Walks, talks, healthy meals it all helps connect over common interests.

• Offer your skills. Whether you cook, coach, design, or listen. You would be surprised someone out there needs that.

• Start small. Join a club, a class, a WhatsApp group. Take the first step and put yourself where people are. Closed mouths don’t get feed.

• Speak up. Share your journey. You never know who it will help.

• Help without expecting. Do it for the joy of giving, not the return.

  
  

Final Word: Community is the Cure

If you’re struggling right now, I want you to know this: you’re not broken, you’re human. And humans need other humans. That’s not weakness, rather it’s wisdom.

Whether you’re looking to give or in need of something yourself, the power of community is there for you to tap into.

At The Nutri Guy, we deliver Wellness Talks and Workshops that empower people with tools to build mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing together. Topics include:

• Mental Resilience and Workplace Wellbeing

• Nutrition for Mood and Energy

• Building Healthy Habits That Stick

• Stress Management and Burnout Prevention

• Eating for Immune Strength

These sessions are practical, inclusive, and always community-driven.

If you’re looking to spark real change—start with your people. I’d love to help.

📩 Let’s work together to build stronger, healthier, more connected teams and communities.