Recovery Devon

We’re supporting Neurodiversity Celebration Week 2025! 🌟

This global initiative challenges stereotypes and misconceptions about neurological differences. There are plenty of events happening throughout the week online, including inspiring panel discussions hosted by , all free and open to everyone.

For full event line up visit: https://www.neurodiversityweek.com

Join in, sign up, and celebrate neurodiversity! 🌈

This 𝗖𝗵𝗶𝗹𝗱𝗿𝗲𝗻’𝘀 𝗠𝗲𝗻𝘁𝗮𝗹 𝗛𝗲𝗮𝗹𝘁𝗵 𝗪𝗲𝗲𝗸, we’re sharing a powerful film called '𝘔𝘺 𝘔𝘶𝘮'𝘴 𝘨𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘋𝘰𝘥𝘨𝘺 𝘉𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯', which highlights young voices and lived experiences.

Jody, our community development worker, shares:

"I discovered this video during a really challenging time for me, and while it’s not the easiest watch, as a parent to two children who have faced similar struggles, it really hit home. Hearing these young voices speak so honestly about what it’s like to grow up with a parent struggling with their mental health was both eye-opening and deeply moving.

What stood out most was how they process their experiences—how they view their parent’s illness, the ways it has affected them, and what helps them cope. I want to use this video as to remind my children that they are not alone, that there are other kids out there who understand, and that there is always help and hope for better days. It’s a message that can lighten the load, reassuring children that they don’t have to carry shame or embarrassment—something many of us parents worry about for them.”

‘𝘔𝘺 𝘔𝘶𝘮’𝘴 g𝘰𝘵 𝘢 𝘋𝘰𝘥𝘨𝘺 𝘉𝘳𝘢𝘪𝘯’ was commissioned by Devon Partnership NHS Trust to open up conversations between children and adults about the realities of living with a parent who has mental ill health. We hope it helps others as much as it helped Jody.

Link to watch 🔗 https://youtu.be/z_rHzI_lGBI?feature=shared

My Mum's got a Dodgy Brain (childrens experiences + advice) Three children living with a parent with mental ill health share their story and their ways to cope.This film was commissioned by Devon Partnership Trust to ...

𝑾𝒆𝒔𝒕 𝑫𝒆𝒗𝒐𝒏: The River of Hope - What a wonderful project by Tamar Valley National Landscape with students from five Devon schools. A lovely video put together by Fotonow (CIC). 👏

River of Hope - Devon Young people from five secondary schools in Devon took part in River of Hope, they worked alongside a poet, Emmie Readman and a visual artist, Shona Watt to ...

One of our thoughtful community members asked: “𝗪𝗵𝘆 𝗱𝗼 𝘄𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝗲 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘄𝗼𝗿𝗱 𝗯𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝘁𝗼 𝗱𝗲𝘀𝗰𝗿𝗶𝗯𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗱𝗻𝗲𝘀𝘀, 𝘄𝗵𝗲𝗻 𝗯𝗹𝘂𝗲 𝘀𝗸𝗶𝗲𝘀 𝗮𝗿𝗲 𝘂𝘀𝘂𝗮𝗹𝗹𝘆 𝘀𝗲𝗲𝗻 𝗮𝘀 𝘀𝗼𝗺𝗲𝘁𝗵𝗶𝗻𝗴 𝗽𝗼𝘀𝗶𝘁𝗶𝘃𝗲?” 💙

What a great question! The connection between blue and sadness is fascinating when we take a closer look at history and symbolism. While blue skies often evoke feelings of joy and peace, the colour blue also has a long-standing association with introspection and deeper emotions:

🔹 𝗔𝗻𝗰𝗶𝗲𝗻𝘁 𝗧𝗶𝗺𝗲𝘀: In ancient Greek and Roman cultures, blue was linked to mourning and reflection. The calm but melancholic hues of the natural world were often symbolic of the complexity of human emotions, and the Greeks viewed blue as a colour representing the soul’s inner workings.

🔹 𝗦𝗮𝗶𝗹𝗼𝗿 𝗧𝗿𝗮𝗱𝗶𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻𝘀: Blue flags were flown on ships to honour those lost at sea, making the colour a symbol of remembrance and tribute to those no longer with us. It became associated with loss and the emotional depth of saying goodbye.

🔹 𝗣𝗵𝘆𝘀𝗶𝗰𝗮𝗹 𝗔𝗽𝗽𝗲𝗮𝗿𝗮𝗻𝗰𝗲: We’ve all heard someone say they’re feeling “blue” or seen someone’s skin take on a bluish tint when they’re ill, cold, or struggling to breathe. This physical appearance of blueness, linked to frailty or lack of oxygen, was historically connected to sadness or feeling unwell.

🔹 𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗕𝗹𝘂𝗲𝘀: The music genre, "The Blues," emerged as an emotional outlet for the struggles of life. It gave voice to pain, heartache, and the complexities of human experience. But it also carried messages of hope, resilience, and personal strength through its soulful melodies.

🔹 𝗣𝘀𝘆𝗰𝗵𝗼𝗹𝗼𝗴𝘆: Blue is often associated with calmness and reflection in psychology. Just like the tranquil blue sky after a storm, sadness can sometimes offer us the space to pause, reflect, and heal. It’s a reminder that sometimes, emotions like sadness can lead to personal growth and transformation.

What does the colour blue mean to you? Does it symbolise something different for you? We’d love to hear your thoughts and reflections below! ⬇️