The theme for this year’s World Mental Health Day, which was marked on Monday 10th October was: ‘Make mental health and wellbeing for all a global priority.’

It was the end of 2017 and I had just finished running a Circle of Security Parenting Group in Trumpington. A group of parents attending the group asked if I could help them set up a stay-and-play group in the community. They wanted a place where they could continue supporting one another in their parenting, and a space to reach out and support other local families. And so HonC! was born!

“Helen, what makes being-with so difficult?”

What a brilliant question and one I hope we can reflect on in this and future blogs.

I wrote this while I was recovering at home from Covid. A cruel illness, I think made so much harder because of the sense of enforced isolation and aloneness. The guidance is ‘isolate for ten days’; ‘stay away from others’; ‘wear a mask.’ So counterintuitive to me; I enjoy being with people, making connections, looking at people’s faces…….

I turned on the radio a few weeks ago and I was delighted to hear the voice of Shlomo (@SKShlomo) …… here is the story of a person who has faced childhood adversity and now as an adult is processing this, as these experiences continue to shape him and those around him.

Recently I was sat in my kitchen with the doors open, enjoying the hot weather we have been having, when suddenly the sky darkened and the atmosphere changed. It felt like rain was on the way…..I had acted early enough to stop the rain - which was torrential when it came – pour in to the house. This reminded me of how it can be helpful to step in early with our own children, to ward off the emotional downpour that might follow if we miss the early warning signs.

The past week has been a time of highs and lows. For many, there was a growing anticipation and excitement as the England football team progressed through to the final of the Euro 2020 on Sunday 11th July 2021. This was swiftly followed by the disappointment of loss, and more profoundly, dismay and anger at the racial abuse levelled at the young England players who had failed to successfully to take their penalty.

I remember when I was expecting my first child people would say to me, “life will never be the same again”. I didn’t quite understand what they meant by this. It was said almost as a threat, like I had made a mistake. That I needed to make the most of things now, before the arrival of this little person. Strangers and friends alike would advise me to make the most of my evenings, to spend time with my friends, to pursue my hobbies, “whilst I still can”.

You don't need me to tell you that the last 18 months have been generally unsettling and at times downright awful for many of us. As the school term draws to a close all of our children are facing transitions. For some it's the relatively straightforward Year 4 to Year 5 or Year 10 to Year 11. For others the transitions are more significant and maybe more tricky to handle.

“I feel safe with you” “You’re awesome”

These are comments two young children said to their parents after they had attended a Circle of Security-Parenting Group. What wonderful comments! What an amazing testament to all the hard work these families have put into making a change in their relationships with their children.

Change is not just a possibility for these families, but is possible for ALL of us, even amidst the daily grind of parenthood.

7th June marked the start of Infant Mental Health Week 2021. As a charity set up to support babies and toddlers in their early years, we know all about the importance of getting the right levels of help and support at the crucial time.

These six words form part of ’parenting in 25 words or less’ in the Circle of Security Parenting programme. They sound simple enough, but I was reminded of them again recently in a very powerful way.

This week is Mental Health Awareness Week. Our mental health is so important and deserves all the focus that this week should bring to it. But if we really want to begin to change the worrying statistics around mental health we need to do more than just be aware, we need to start taking action. Here are three areas where I think we should focus our attention………

“It’s important to stop and do nothing sometimes.”

How many of us have heard this? How many of us manage to ‘do nothing’? This certainly isn’t something that comes easily to me. I wonder what unexpected things might open up for us when we are able to ‘be’, rather than to ‘do’?

As we pass one year since the start of the first National Lockdown, I am reminded of a blog I wrote this time last year. Much of the struggles and learnings I discovered then are still relevant now, so I wish to share it here...

It is week three of lockdown and I’ve been finding it tough. Yes, it’s difficult not being able to go out freely, to meet friends, to greet someone with a handshake or a hug. These were things I enjoyed pre-Covid 19; things I took for granted.