Yesterday, the trust marked World Mental Health Day 2026, with a special event at Harplands Hospital.
This year’s theme, ‘Lived Experiences Heard: Real Voices, Real Change’, centres on the impact of lived experience. The campaign highlights the importance of ensuring people with lived experience of mental health challenges are not only heard but actively involved in shaping the services, policies and decisions that affect their lives.
The event celebrated the voice of lived experience across our services, and the difference lived experience makes in improving care and driving positive change. A film was showcased at the event, exploring these themes, and spotlighting the difference that considerations around lived experience can make in shaping care.
A range of stalls were also available for attendees to explore, from a bake sale in aid of Combined Charity, to stalls focused on men’s mental health and staff mental health support from the peer support team. Attendees at the event were also able to learn about a new Book Stop that will be coming to Harplands Hospital, thanks to the great work of Combined Charity. The Book Stop will allow patients to grab a book while in the trust’s care at Harpands.
Special thanks also go out to Apetito and SERCO, for organising a tasting event and distributing cakes to mark the day for patients and staff.
Watch a short message about the event from Jayne Simner, the trust’s Recovery and Experience Lead, by clicking here.
World Mental Health Day takes place on Saturday 10 October, read more about the day and this year’s theme by clicking here.
At Combined, we recognise lived experience as a valuable form of expertise. The insight, knowledge and understanding gained through personal experience helps us design more compassionate, person-centred and effective services. We know how powerful the accounts of people who have experienced our services can be. Patient stories provide an honest take on the experience of living with mental health conditions, learning disabilities or substance misuse. Find our playlist of patient stories by clicking here.
