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The inaugural Mental Health Celebration event was held yesterday, Wednesday 13 May, and created in partnership with the Mental Health Forum to honour individuals whose courage, dedication, and compassion have been shown in overcoming challenges they faced, or made a profound difference to mental health support across the Borough.

Held under this year’s national theme of “Action”, the event was a powerful demonstration of the Council’s commitment to doing more than raising awareness - taking meaningful, sustained steps to improve mental health outcomes and equity for all residents in partnership with voluntary sector groups like the Mental Health Forum. Mental health remains one of the most pressing public health challenges of our time, with growing recognition that early intervention, community connection, and lived-experience leadership are essential to building a fairer, healthier society.

The celebration was an opportunity to spotlight the vital, often unseen work being carried out every day by individuals across Telford and Wrekin - from volunteers giving their time freely, to people who have turned their own lived experience into a source of strength and inspiration for others. The Council firmly believes that recognising this work is itself an act of action: it validates those who support others, encourages more people to seek and offer help, and breaks down the stigma that can still prevent people from accessing the support they need.

Cllr Kelly Middleton, Cabinet Member for Public Health, Healthier Communities and Unlocking Opportunities commented: “Mental health matters to every single person in our Borough, and this celebration is about making that real.

“Mental Health Awareness Week is the perfect moment to pause and recognise the incredible people in our community who show up, day after day, to support those around them.

“Whether they have overcome their own challenges with extraordinary courage, given their time as volunteers, or quietly led by example, each of our award recipients embodies what it means to take action for better mental health.

“Telford & Wrekin Council is proud to stand alongside them, and we are committed to continuing this work to ensure that mental health support is accessible, equitable, and compassionate for every resident.”

Thirteen awards were presented across a range of categories, each recognising a different but equally vital dimension of mental health support. The Lyn Stepanian Award - Going the Extra Mile - was named in honour of the beloved figure in the Borough’s mental health and recovery community, who sadly passed away October 2025. The award was presented this year to Sam O’Neill in recognition of her exceptional and tireless dedication to supporting others.

Sam said: “Receiving the Lyn Stepanian Award means the world to me.

“I never do what I do for recognition; I do it because I genuinely believe that no one should have to face their mental health struggles alone.

“To have that work acknowledged in Lyn's name makes it even more special. She was someone who truly understood what it meant to go the extra mile, and I can only hope to honour that legacy every day.

“To anyone out there thinking about reaching out or getting involved in mental health support, please do. The difference you can make is greater than you'll ever know."

Taking action on mental health is not only the responsibility of professionals; it begins in our communities, with the people who live and work alongside us. That is why Telford & Wrekin Council and partners are championing the Orange Button scheme, a free training programme open to all residents that equips people with the confidence and skills to have meaningful conversations about mental health and offer support to those around them.

Those who complete the training receive an Orange Button to wear, signalling to others that they are a safe and knowledgeable point of contact. The more people who wear the button, the more visible and accessible mental health support becomes across the whole Borough - a truly community-led act of action.

Find out more and sign up for Orange Button training at: www.telford.gov.uk/orangebutton