"A Place Where Nobody Is Turned Away" : Ron’s story shows why mental health support should be part of everyday life
When Ron walks through the doors at Darlington Mind, he knows he won’t be judged. There’s no need to pretend everything is fine. No pressure to explain why he’s struggling. Just a warm welcome, a familiar face, and a cup of tea - and for Ron, that makes all the difference.
“At Darlington Mind, nobody is ever turned away,” he says. “And just because someone suffers from mental health, they should not be excluded from society.”
Ron attends Darlington Mind one morning and two afternoons each week. Like many others, he finds comfort not only in the support offered, but in the sense of belonging.
“We do not call the people who look after us day in, day out, staff,” he explains. “They are our true friends.”
In a world where many people still feel ashamed or afraid to talk about their mental health, that kind of connection can be life-changing.
Mental Health Affects Us All
From anxiety and depression to loneliness, stress and grief, mental health is something that touches all of us, in one way or another. But despite increasing awareness, many people still struggle in silence, fearing judgement or feeling that they’re alone in their experiences.
“When I struggled with anxiety,” Ron shares, “the hardest part wasn’t the symptoms; it was feeling like I had to hide it. I thought I’d be seen as weak or unreliable if I spoke up.”
That’s why support services like Darlington Mind are so vital, because they offer a safe, stigma-free space for people to be honest, to feel understood and to start healing.
More Than Just Support; A Community
At Darlington Mind, mental health support isn’t just about appointments or programmes, it’s about people. Whether someone comes in for counselling, joins a creative wellbeing group, or just needs a chat and a cuppa, the atmosphere is rooted in kindness and respect.
“As a client who attends Darlington Mind regularly, we appreciate the effort and understanding that the staff and volunteers give to us in many ways,” says Ron.
The charity offers a wide range of services to support people through difficult times, including:
• Therapeutic counselling
• Support groups and drop-in spaces
• Creative activities like art, music, cooking, creative writing, walking and gardening
• Practical courses in digital skills and emotional resilience
• Specialist outreach support groups
Each service is designed not only to offer practical help, but to remind people that they are not alone and never a burden.
Kindness, Not Stigma
The stigma around mental health can often be an issue. Many people still feel they have to “get on with it” or keep their struggles hidden. But every time someone speaks out, or walks through the door of a place like Darlington Mind, that stigma weakens.
And it’s not just about those receiving support. The volunteers and staff - or “true friends” as Ron calls them - are a vital part of that change. By showing up with empathy and consistency, they’re helping to reshape how society sees mental health: not as a weakness, but as something human.
A Message That Lasts Beyond One Day
Awareness days like World Mental Health Day play an important role in sparking conversation, but the work doesn’t stop when the day ends.
Real mental health support happens quietly and constantly in weekly sessions, friendly check-ins, group activities, and shared moments of understanding. It happens in places like Darlington Mind, where everyone is welcome, no matter what they’re going through.
“Here, we’re not pushed away,” says Ron. “We’re welcomed.”
Need Support? You’re Not Alone.
If you or someone you care about is struggling with mental health, you’re not alone and you don’t have to face it without support.
Call: 01325 283169
Email: [email protected]
Visit: Our services page
Follow: On Facebook / Instagram
Image – Ron and Darlington Mind tutor, Mark.
