29/10/2026
Mental Health Awareness Plaques in Swanley
Swanley Town Council is installing ten mental health awareness plaques across eight locations in Swanley, offering residents a simple reminder that support is available, conversations matter, and nobody should feel they have to face difficult times alone.
The plaques, which will be positioned on benches and buildings across the town, carry the Samaritans message “You talk, we listen – because mental health matters.” They encourage anyone who may be feeling low or struggling to cope to reach out for support, signposting them to Samaritans, emergency assistance and the Council's online mental health resources.
The plaques will be installed at Swanley Park, The Olympic, Swanley Station, Swanley Village, Swanley Recreation Ground, Elephant Park, The Oaks and along London Road.
Mental health difficulties can affect anyone, regardless of age, background or circumstances. In England, around one in four people experience a mental health problem each year, while approximately one in five people experience a common mental health problem, such as anxiety or depression, in any given week. Around one in five children and young people aged 8 to 25 are also estimated to have a probable mental health problem.
Su***de prevention is a particularly important part of raising awareness. Men account for approximately three-quarters of registered su***de deaths, with men working in certain sectors, including construction, facing disproportionately high risks. These figures show the importance of breaking down stigma and encouraging people to speak openly about how they are feeling, rather than suffering in silence.
The Council hopes that placing these messages in everyday public spaces will help residents recognise when they or someone they know might need support. Sometimes, a simple message encountered during a walk, a moment of reflection on a park bench or a journey through the town can be a reminder that it is okay to talk.
Mayor of Swanley, Councillor Michael Horwood, said:
“We may not always know what someone is going through, and people who appear happy and confident can sometimes be struggling behind closed doors. These plaques are a small but meaningful way of reminding people that they are not alone and that there is support available when they need it, especially in crisis.
We want Swanley to be a place where people feel comfortable talking about their mental health, where asking for help is encouraged and where kindness and understanding come first. I hope these messages will prompt conversations, encourage people to check in on one another and, perhaps, give someone the signposting they need at a difficult moment.”
Ryan Hayman, Chief Executive Officer of Swanley Town Council, added:
“This campaign means a great deal to me personally. Mental health is something we should all take seriously, and I believe we need to do much more to make it normal to talk about how we are feeling, particularly when life becomes difficult. There can still be a real pressure, especially on men, to keep going, put on a brave face and deal with problems themselves. In some workplaces and industries, that pressure can be even greater. But nobody should feel that asking for help makes them weak, or that they have to wait until they reach breaking point before speaking to someone. As a Council, we look after parks, public spaces, buildings and facilities, but as humans our responsibility extends beyond that environment. The words on these plaques are deliberately simple: ‘You talk, we listen.’ Sometimes, people do not need someone to have all the answers. They need someone willing to listen without judgement, take them seriously and help them find the right support.
I hope that someone sitting on a bench in Swanley Park, passing through the station or visiting one of our other public spaces might see one of these messages at exactly the right time. Perhaps it will encourage them to make a call, scan the QR code, talk to a friend or simply realise that they do not have to face things alone. We cannot underestimate the difference that a conversation, a moment of kindness or knowing where to turn for help can make. If these plaques encourage even one person to reach out when they otherwise might not have done, then this campaign will have been worthwhile. Mental health matters. Every person matters. And no one should feel they have to struggle in silence.”
The plaques provide clear signposting for anyone who needs support:
Samaritans: Call 116 123, free, day or night, to talk to someone who will listen.
Swanley Town Council mental health resources: Visit www.swanleytowncouncil.gov.uk/help/ or scan the QR code on the plaque to find resources and support services.
Emergency assistance: If someone's life is in danger, call 999.
The plaques are intended to help make conversations about mental health more visible across Swanley and to remind residents that support is available, whatever they may be facing.
