Mental Health Awareness Week 2025 – Building a Stronger, Healthier Community

At South Ribble Scouts, supporting young people’s mental health is as important as helping them gain new skills or tackle their next adventure. This Mental Health Awareness Week (12–18 May 2025), we’re joining Scouts across the UK to shine a light on how we can all help build a happier, more supportive community.

This year’s national theme is “Community” – something Scouts know all about. From campfires to litter picks, game nights to badgework, we’re all about creating spaces where everyone feels welcome, supported and connected. And when young people feel like they belong, their mental health improves, too.

Why Mental Health Matters in Scouting

We know that young people today face all sorts of pressures. As adult volunteers, we play an important role in helping them navigate challenges and build resilience.

At Scouts, we:

• Promote the importance of mental well-being all year round
• Provide guidance and resources to help volunteers support young people
• Work with partners like Mind, SAMH, and Inspire to offer expert advice
• Encourage open conversations to reduce stigma and increase understanding

Find out how Scouts promotes good mental health

Programme Ideas to Explore with Every Section

Here are some simple, positive, and age-appropriate activities to try with your section during Mental Health Awareness Week (or anytime!):

Squirrels

• Try some animal yoga – Calm, fun, and perfect for helping little ones explore balance and mindfulness.

Beavers

• We don’t talk about Bruno – we do talk about you – Open up a conversation about feelings through storytelling and music.
• Run a craft event to promote good mental health – Creative, calming, and a chance to connect while making something together.

Cubs

• Mental Health Bingo – A playful way to talk about well-being.
• Wheel of Well-being – Colourful, visual tool to explore what feels good.

Scouts

• What’s on your mind? – A safe space to share feelings and self-care tips.
• Stress buckets – Learn how to manage and release stress in healthy ways.

Explorers

• Social Strengths – Explore how a strong community and peer support can help us thrive.
• Head, Heart, Hands – Reflect on your values, goals and ways to stay grounded.

Adult Volunteers

• Use the Volunteer Mental Health toolkit to support your own well-being and your team’s
• Try the Wellbeing Champions training.
• Build check-ins and small well-being activities into your next team night.

Volunteering: Good for You, Too

Volunteering with Scouts isn’t just about giving back—it’s also a great way to boost your mental health. Research shows that volunteering can reduce stress, improve mood, and increase life satisfaction. Discover more in our blog:

👉 9 Ways That Volunteering Helps Your Mental Health

Looking for flexible ways to get involved? Check out:

👉 Flexible Volunteering with Scouts – Give a Little, Gain a Lot

A Time to Talk and Support

Mental Health Awareness Week is a chance to:

• Focus on well-being
• Reduce stigma
• Encourage open conversations
• Support young people in building resilience and practising self-care

Small steps—like sharing how your day went, playing a game together, or taking five minutes to breathe—can all make a big difference.

👉 Check out this Scouts blog on Mental Health Awareness Week for more inspiration.

Together, We’re Stronger

Scouting is all about community—and together, we’re creating safe, inclusive spaces where young people and adults can grow, connect, and be themselves.

This week, let’s talk about mental health, share kindness, and keep looking out for one another.