East Kent – a look back at Mental Health Awareness Week 2025

Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 was a huge success in East Kent. With this year’s national theme centred on “Community,” local people responded in great numbers to help raise awareness and support East Kent Mind.

From cafes, bakers, galleries, hotels, pubs and high street shops to sports groups, students and computer firms, local people came together to support our #WearItBlue campaign – an initiative designed to spark conversations about mental health and wellbeing.

Dani Georgieva from the Lilford Gallery holding up a Pink Bear print by the artist Paul Robinson AKA LUAP

Dani Georgieva Lilford Gallery

Hannah Swann inside @garageroasted coffee shop holding a bag of coffee and an East Kent Mind collection pot

Hannah Swann. @garageroasted

ADM Computing

The Cornish Bakery

East Kent Mind also organised an Art Exhibition in Ramsgate, which saw a large number of visitors attend our offices in King Street.

Jacqui Wheeler (stood) talking to five members of the Creative Art group who are seated painting at an easel
Six pieces of art inspired by Van Gogh
A series of six pieces of artwork from the group that was inspired by Austrian painter Gustav Klimt

Throughout the week, shades of blue could be seen across East Kent. Staff at local businesses dressed in blue to raise awareness and encourage dialogue. Community groups organised a wide-range of events to help raise awareness and fundraise, all proudly wearing blue.

Sarah Linney, Canterbury Courier

Two staff members from Embassy London in Canterbury wearing blue East Kent Mind T-shirts and holding collection pots

Embassy London, in Canterbury

Tasha and Tina from Castle Fine Art

The Cow Shed, Birchington

Simon Dolby (Development Lead for East Kent), said: “Once again our community in East Kent came together to support Mental Health Awareness Week and our #WearItBlue campaign.

“It was so heartening to receive such fantastic support from businesses, sports clubs, students and supporters from across East Kent. We would like to encourage people to keep that energy up, as supporting mental health shouldn’t just be a one-week event. We need to ensure that people know there is help and support available in East Kent all year round.”

A large group of around 60 plus people cheering behind a banner that says East Kent Mind, proudly supported by Canterbury Golf Club

Canterbury Golf Club Members

Lauren and Ice Cream the cat

Abode hotel Canterbury

A group of seven female students from the University of Kent Psychology Society smiling at the camera

University of Kent Psychology Society

Lady members at Canterbury Golf Club

A man wearing a blue East Kent Mind T-shirt and holding a ginger cat at the Canterbury Tails Cat Cafe

Canterbury Tails Cat Cafe

If you would like to raise funds for East Kent and support mental health and wellbeing in our community, please visit: eastkentmind.org.uk/fundraising

To see more of the photos from Mental Health Awareness Week, please follow our social media accounts, Facebook here and Instagram here