For Mental Health Awareness Week 2025

“If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together.” — African Proverb.

There’s something quietly powerful about the moment a group of strangers becomes a team. If you’ve ever joined a challenge, you've seen it: day one is full of slightly awkward introductions, nervous smiles, and last-minute kit checks. By the time you hit the halfway point, you're swapping snacks, sharing life stories (and toilet anecdotes!) and waiting for each other at the top of every climb.

This Mental Health Awareness Week, with its theme of community, we’re reflecting on those moments and how adventure has a habit of bringing people together when they need it most.

The connection between community and mental health

The Mental Health Foundation has often highlighted how vital social connection is for good mental health. Having a strong support network, a sense of belonging, and shared purpose are all associated with lower levels of stress, anxiety and depression. Their research shows that people who feel more connected to others report higher well-being and life satisfaction levels. And in the UK, nearly 1 in 5 adults say they feel lonely often or always – something that strong communities can help protect against. Community offers us safety, strength, and space to be ourselves.

And it turns out, so does the outdoors.

Numerous studies show the benefits of spending time in nature, from reducing cortisol levels to improving sleep, creativity, and emotional regulation. One study, published in 2019, found that spending just two hours per week in natural spaces is strongly associated with better overall health and well-being. That could be a walk in the park... or a trek through the mountains.

Put that in the context of a multi-day challenge where you’re walking through wild landscapes with others who are sharing the same highs and lows? That’s where the real magic happens.

Solo doesn’t mean alone

A huge number of our participants come to us as solo travellers. Sometimes it’s by choice; a long-held dream or a personal milestone. Sometimes it’s because they’re craving something new and aren’t quite sure where to find it.

Whatever the reason, the result is often the same: they find their people.

And they’re not alone! Solo travel is on the rise globally, with nearly half of solo travellers seeking personal growth, and over a third saying they do it to meet new people. That fits perfectly with what we see in our challenges every year.

It might be bonding over a packet of jelly babies on the Great Wall of China. Or sharing stories under the stars in the Jordanian desert en route to Petra. It might be a quiet word of encouragement on the Lost City trail in Colombia, or simply knowing someone is walking behind you in the Albanian Alps, pacing your breath with theirs.

These aren’t fleeting connections. We hear time and time again from our adventurers that the friendships made on the trail are among the most meaningful of their lives.

Why shared challenge builds strong bonds

There’s a reason military units, sports teams, and expedition crews develop deep camaraderie: they’ve been through something hard together.

Adventure travel taps into the same principle. When you’re hiking tough terrain, adjusting to a new culture, or pushing through physical fatigue, vulnerability comes naturally. And with it comes empathy, encouragement, and the kind of teamwork that doesn’t need to be forced.

“Alone we can do so little; together we can do so much.” — Helen Keller

It’s not just about reaching the summit or completing the trek. It’s the moments in between — the laughter when your legs are burning, the cheers when someone hits a milestone, the shared silence looking out at a sunset you’ll never forget.

Adventure isn’t just an escape – it’s a return to something real

At a time when many of us feel increasingly disconnected in our day-to-day lives, stepping into an experience where phones take a backseat (a digital detox, in many cases) and real human connection takes centre stage can feel radical.

Whether it’s a historical challenge like the Pyrenees Freedom Trail or a beginner-friendly Snowdon by Night Trek, these adventures give us a rare chance to reset.

In our own way, we get to start again. To build confidence. To make new friends. To remind ourselves that we’re stronger — and more connected — than we thought.

This Mental Health Awareness Week...

…we want to celebrate the communities that form every time a group sets off on a Discover Adventure challenge - our Discover Adventure Family. The ones that encourage each other up steep climbs, share their snacks at rest stops, and often stay in touch long after the final farewell.

Because you might arrive at the start on your own, but you won’t finish that way. And maybe, just knowing that is enough to take the first step.

If you or someone you know is struggling with their mental health, you’re not alone — help is available. Visit the Mental Health Foundation for support, resources, and advice.