On June 4th, 2025, the Cooley Connect Well community welcomed campaigners from the New Script for Mental Health to share their vision for a rights-based approach to mental well-being. The presentation and conversation, delivered during the group's Coffee Morning, sparked important conversations about power, connection, and change.

Led by New Script activists, the talk introduced the “Give 5 Steps to a Wellbeing Rights Framework” — a bold and compassionate alternative to the dominant medicalised models of mental health care. At its core, the New Script reframes mental health as a crisis of social, political, and economic inequality rather than one of individual disorder. It calls for addressing the power imbalance that so often shapes people’s experiences, rather than merely focusing on supposed “chemical imbalances.”

Referencing international advocates like UN Rapporteur Professor Dainius Puras, the campaign stressed the need for community, compassion, connection, and choice in all aspects of mental health response and recovery. The New Script’s call to action was clear: it’s time to stop treating mental health as an individual issue and instead view it as a collective challenge that requires structural change.

The presentation deeply resonated with the audience. Feedback gathered afterwards reflected a wide range of responses — from hope to a renewed sense of purpose and empowerment.

One participant wrote: “It was illuminating — it opened people’s eyes and made us question the experts. We don’t have to be fobbed off anymore.” Others commented on the power of hearing real stories and honest perspectives, describing the talk as “honest,” “inspiring,” and “transformational.” The phrase “hope” came up multiple times, with some saying this conversation gave them belief in a better future for the next generation.

Words like “unity,” “solidarity,” and “power” were repeated throughout the feedback. Many appreciated the campaign’s emphasis on challenging authority and speaking out. One attendee reflected: “I’ve learned the skills to challenge systems that aren’t working — that’s community empowerment in action.”

The warm welcome and interactive atmosphere fostered openness and two-way communication. People felt encouraged to share their stories and listen to one another. The sense of collective strength in the Cooley Connect community was really evident, reinforcing the value of community hubs and local action in addressing mental health struggles.

Nature, creativity, and shared humanity were also recurring themes in the feedback, with several attendees linking the presentation’s message to their own lived experiences of healing through connection and place.

The New Script session was about more than sharing information and stories— it sparked connections. As one participant put it: “This talk gave us more than information. It gave us hope. It gave us power.”