SOUTHAMPTON residents, businesses and organisations are being encouraged to embrace the ‘Power of Hello’ as the city gets closer to its first ever designated Southampton Mental Health Friendly Day in July (release issue date June 1, 2026).
This call to action coincides with a key milestone next Monday, June 8, which marks 30 days until the city celebrates the importance of connection, community and positive mental wellbeing.
The event is being coordinated by Southampton Mental Health Network and the charity’s Board of Trustees’ Chair, Sue Hayward, who is also a Mental Health Educator and Trainer, explains: “Following the launch of our Power of Hello countdown campaign at the end of last year, when there were 200 days to go until Southampton Mental Health Friendly Day, we’re now entering our exciting last phase of that journey and we’re inviting everyone across the city to take part in the final run-up weeks to July 8.
“We’d like people to embrace a simple but powerful message: say hello as often as you can, when it’s safe to do so. Small, everyday interactions can make a huge difference to how we all feel – there’s lots of back-up research that shows the person saying hello benefits as much as the person who is being greeted.”
The charity’s citywide Power of Hello campaign promotes the importance of social connection in improving mental health and wellbeing.
By encouraging residents and those who work in Southampton to acknowledge one another – whether through a smile, eye contact or a friendly greeting – the campaign aims to reduce isolation, boost social connectedness and strengthen community ties, which all help promote positive mental health.
Sue adds: “This final stretch of our countdown to July 8 is all about turning intention into action. Whether it’s greeting a neighbour, chatting to someone at a bus stop, or welcoming customers with extra warmth, every ‘hello’ helps build a more connected and supportive city.
“All we ask is that people think about the environment they are in before they make that connection and we understand not everyone will feel comfortable in every situation, so just greet someone when you are happy to do so.
“We’d love to see the whole city get behind this in the lead-up to July 8 – making saying ‘hello’ part of everyday life. You could even set yourself a challenge from June 8 to say hello to someone new every day for the next 30 days.”
Southampton Mental Health Friendly Day, which is as a citywide initiative that’s backed by Southampton City Council and Hampshire and Isle of Wight NHS Healthcare Trust, aims to bring together communities from across the city on July 8 with grassroots events, social gatherings and opportunities for people to connect and access support promoted for free on Southampton Mental Health Network’s website.
Charities, businesses, educational establishments and community groups are also all being encouraged to take part in the final month of the campaign by: promoting the Power of Hello message; encouraging staff, customers, students and service users to engage, hosting or supporting small, welcoming social activities and sharing awareness raising messages on social media in the lead-up to July 8.
Sue continues: “If you have an event you’re hosting on the day or during the week around it, whether it’s specifically linked to Southampton Mental Health Friendly Day or is something that’s been happening for a while, but represents an opportunity for people to do something together, then we’d like to include it in our free Social Connectedness Guide. Please fill all the details in on our website here: Add to the SMHN Website – Fill out form or email smhn@communicareinsouthampton.org.uk.”
A wide variety of citywide organisations are already involved with Southampton Mental Health Friendly Day and the Power of Hello campaign. They include The Probation Service, Solent Mind, a charity that provides services supporting individuals to develop positive mental wellbeing, Southampton Voluntary Service (SVS), which has been supporting volunteering and voluntary organisations in Southampton since 1968, KvLS Mental Health Support, which offers counselling, and Communicare in Southampton, which works with all generations, but predominantly older residents, to help boost social connectedness.
Resources, including campaign toolkits and downloadable materials, are also available to help organisations and individuals get involved.
Sue concludes: “Our simple message is that we’re better together. By keeping the Power of Hello going every day between now and July 8, and beyond, we can show how a city united by kindness and connection can support everyone’s mental wellbeing.”
For further details or to join Southampton Mental Health Network, please visit www.smhn.org.uk.
