16/10/2026
🌿 Mental Health, Wellbeing, and the Power of Gratitude 🌿
Recently, the CRMC Integration Project invited our Therapy Department to deliver a workshop on mental health and wellbeing for a wonderfully diverse group of participants from Afghanistan, Eritrea, Ethiopia, several Arab countries, and Ukraine.
It was encouraging to see how receptive people were to learning about mental health and wellbeing. Participants recognised the importance of looking after both mind and body and showed a genuine interest in learning more about self-help strategies, emotional resilience, and personal wellbeing.
As part of the workshop, we introduced a practical gratitude exercise called the Gratitude Tree. Participants reflected on the positive things in their lives that help them stay strong and supported during difficult times. Practising gratitude does not mean ignoring challenges or pretending difficulties do not exist. Instead, it helps us recognise our strengths, appreciate the support around us, and develop a more hopeful and balanced outlook on life.
What was truly amazing was seeing how different, yet similar, our ideas were. Across cultures, languages, and life experiences, many of us identified family, friends, and children as the roots that keep us grounded and supported. Our talents, knowledge, experiences, and personal strengths formed the strong trunk at our core. And, regardless of where we come from, we all carry aspirations, hopes, and dreams that motivate us to keep moving forward.
One of the most beautiful reflections from the session was this: when it rains, we do not only see the dark sky. We enjoy the fresh air, knowing that eventually the rainbow will appear.
Thank you to everyone who attended and contributed so openly. It was a powerful reminder that while our journeys may be different, our resilience, hopes, and capacity for growth connect us all.