A COMMUNITY activist says seeing young people with mental health issues learn about support they did not know existed makes her feel “proud” of her staff.

Joni Cunningham, principal of the Redbridge Institute, hailed the beneficial impact of the organisation’s third Mental Health Festival.

Staff at The Redbridge Institute worked with public and charity sector organisations to put on the informative event on Friday for people looking for support with their mental health.

Ms Cunningham said: “When you see the hall packed, smiles on their faces and finding out things they didn’t know were available, it makes me feel proud of staff.

“You feel you’ve made a difference in people’s lives. Individuals tell us they didn’t know there was this wealth of support and they don’t have to struggle alone. 

“You really feel they have made a difference with these big events and there’s an opportunity for a follow up. 

“We do a lot of planning and organising and they take a lot of effort. To see it’s working and others gaining a lot shows how much makes you feel it’s all worthwhile.”

Organisations like the North East London Foundation Trust (NELFT) and Job Centre Plus were on hand to advise attendees.

Visitors enjoyed a poppy making workshop where they made poppies out of felt for Remembrance Sunday.

Despite featuring more and more in the news, Ms Cunningham feels there is still a social stigma attached to mental health discussion.

She said: “It’s still got quite a social stigma – people won’t disclose their mental health. We call it a festival to overcome the stigma so they can get the help they need.

“One in four adults suffers from mental ill health. 

“Pressure to do well in school, social media and ideas around ideal body images mean young people and their families need support to make them more resilient.”

The Redbridge Institute is an adult education service providing learning opportunities for unemployed people.