Why would I be writing this, or quite frankly be doing anything at all if the tiniest part of me didn’t have some hope it could make a difference?

But I also know that there have been days in my personal and professional life where it felt like hope was gone, lost, MIA, evaporated, vanished, snatched away. There have been plenty of times I’ve needed to borrow heavily from other people’s hope when my reserves were running low. Other times hope has hit me like a wave of inspiration, out of the blue, often when I’ve needed it most. I’ve personally found the most hope in the stories of people’s triumph over adversity, stories of transformation and change. I’m continuously blown away by how people transform their pain into powerful action. I’ve noticed hope seems to be at its strongest when it’s shared, in the community with others, especially when it’s being used as a combined force for good. And what a relief it is to me that hope and healing isn’t a DIY project!

In a world that often frames mental health as an isolated, individual struggle, it’s time to shift the narrative. Healing isn’t just about therapy sessions or medication; it’s about addressing the whole person and recognising the systemic barriers that shape their experiences. Mental health is deeply intertwined with social justice, and the path to healing is not only personal but collective.

Hope is not a passive feeling. It’s an active force – one that’s grounded in the belief that change is possible. For individuals facing mental health challenges, hope can be the light that guides them toward healing. But true healing requires more than just personal resolve; it requires a holistic approach that considers all aspects of life – physical, emotional, social, and environmental.

At Platfform we describe mental health in its simplest form as nervous system regulation and connection to self, others and the world around us. I’ve always liked this description as it’s a helpful reminder that we all have a nervous system, and we are all impacted by each other and the world around us. It reminds me that vulnerability is part of the human experience, and we need to keep doing more to create compassionate workplace cultures where we recognise and welcome vulnerability and difference. 

Healing begins when we see people as more than a diagnosis. A holistic approach to mental health means recognising the importance of body, mind, and spirit in the healing process. It incorporates self-care, nutrition, physical activity, and emotional support as integral components of wellbeing. However, it’s also essential to understand how external factors – such as housing, access to education, and economic equality – can profoundly impact mental health. Adversity disrupts attachments and relationships which are the determining factors in our current state of wellbeing.

When we address the whole person, we acknowledge that mental health doesn’t exist in a vacuum. Social, cultural, and environmental influences play a significant role in the way we experience and cope with mental health challenges. From trauma to social isolation, these factors need to be part of the healing process. We need an approach that is routed in the social determinants of mental health and, as such, prioritises relational health.

Mental health is not just an individual issue – it’s a social justice issue. Marginalised communities often face compounded stressors such as discrimination, poverty, and lack of access to adequate healthcare. These factors contribute to higher rates of mental health challenges and make it more difficult to find resources for support. Healing, then, must be framed within a larger context of societal change.

When we approach mental health through a social justice lens, we advocate for policies that promote equality, inclusivity, and access to care. We recognise that mental health disparities are a direct result of historical and systemic inequities, and addressing these disparities is essential for true healing.

You can read more about this in our Manifesto here.

Healing is a communal experience, not just an individual one. By fostering supportive networks and creating safe spaces for open conversation, we can reduce the stigma surrounding mental health and challenge the narrative. Everyone deserves access to compassionate care, regardless of their background or circumstances. Hope grows when we act together – not just for individual healing, but for the collective wellbeing of our communities. Communities need to be at the heart of this work and actively involved in shaping meaningful change.

This is why Platfform is partnering with Save the Children Wales, Groundswell and Homeless Network Scotland to build on existing work to develop communities of hope, a hope academy for professionals and activists and translating the learning into national campaigns for hope across the UK.

We are excited to announce we have been awarded £2.8 million pounds from the National Lottery UK Community Fund to develop our work and partnership and hope make a huge impact on how mental health is viewed and responded to across the levels of community, systems and policy.

As you can see from our attempt at visualising this in the diagram, it is ambitious – but I love this as it helps to see how input is needed across all layers of the system to have the greatest impact for sustainable change.

True healing begins when we recognise that hope is not just something we hold onto, but something we build together, with compassion, understanding, and a commitment to change. So today I am signing off with quite a bit of hope and am truly grateful for Platfform’s vision, partners commitment and funds from the National Lottery UK Community Fund which will make this work possible.

My next mission is to find the right person to lead this ambitious project. If you would like to work with me at Platfform, and alongside our brilliant partners, then please check out this exciting vacancy:

>> Click here to view the opportunity