Reflecting on the wonderfully diverse subjects explored at this year’s Henley Literary Festival, two talks in particular got me thinking about how we navigate an increasingly complex world: Mental Health Matters, with Dr Sian Williams and Sir Norman Lamb, and Ben Rawlence’s discussion about his book, Think Like a Forest.

On World Mental Health Day, Dr Sian Williams, BBC broadcaster and qualified counselling psychologist, joined Sir Norman Lamb, former Care and Support Minister turned mental health campaigner, to discuss anxiety, access to care and how we might build a more human approach to mental wellbeing.

Sir Norman’s campaigning is deeply personal. He spoke about his teenage son, who was placed on a six-month waiting list when his OCD took a serious turn, and about his sister, who sadly took her own life after struggling with depression, despite having received treatment. He wrote Be More Human in her memory.

Through his work as an MP, he heard from more and more constituents struggling to access mental health support, and became increasingly aware of how many people were being failed by the system. Some were self-harming or even taking their own lives before help became available. Sian reinforced his concerns with examples of waiting times in Kent reportedly stretching to three years!

Their discussion highlighted a system that too often responds when someone reaches crisis point, rather than intervening earlier to address the underlying causes of distress. We need to do more to help young people and their families navigate the emotional pressures of modern life, from the pursuit of perfection to the relentless social comparison encouraged by social media, phones and AI. But their conversation wasn’t simply about what is going wrong. It was also about what we could do differently.

Sian and Sir Norman spoke about how little we are taught about self-care and emotional resilience, and how we could learn from more progressive approaches in countries such as Finland and Norway, where greater emphasis is placed on wellbeing, happiness and connection with nature.

Education is a big part of this. Finland’s curriculum includes music and visual arts, alongside media literacy from an early age, helping children develop the skills to navigate the increasingly complex world around them. Sian echoed the sentiment expressed by Michael and Clare Morpurgo at another festival event: “Happy children learn better.” Perhaps we need to place as much value on children’s emotional wellbeing, creativity and connection with the natural world as we do on academic achievement.

They also talked about Finland’s Open Dialogue approach, where people are encouraged to talk openly about their mental health, with family and friends involved where appropriate. The emphasis is on building trust and removing the fear and stigma that can stop people asking for help. Sian and Sir Norman felt there was a lot we could learn from this more open approach, which is also being explored here in the UK.

Sian’s message was that we need to recognise the signs of anxiety and equip ourselves with practical tools to cope, while making it easier to talk openly about our experiences. Shame and fear have no place in the conversation. Sir Norman urged us to agitate for change at a local level, pointing out that preventative approaches can be far less costly – both financially and emotionally – than dealing with the consequences of crisis.

Sian ended with three simple but powerful words: “Curiosity, Connection, Compassion” — and, most importantly, talk. Sensitivity is not a weakness; sensitive people can be creative, intuitive and deeply attuned to others. We should be nurturing those qualities, not teaching people to hide them.

The conversation left me thinking about how we equip ourselves and the next generation to face the challenges ahead. This theme continued at The Relais, where Ben Rawlence discussed his book, Think Like a Forest.

A human rights war correspondent, Ben had witnessed the devastating consequences of climate-driven conflict, which has left thousands of people homeless and displaced. So when he discovered he was going to become a father, he was ecstatic, but also fearful about bringing a child into a world where he had seen so much suffering.

His book began as a series of letters to his unborn and young children about what they might expect from a world facing climate change. But as his daughters grew, Ben found himself learning from them, too – accepting this changing world and thinking about how we can all find our place in it, living as sustainably as possible.

Once again, it brought home how important it is to talk honestly, educate ourselves and learn from one another, rather than being overwhelmed by the challenges ahead. We may not be able to change everything, but understanding what is happening can help us work out where we can make a difference.

Ben has founded Black Mountains College in Wales, with a mission to help young and old alike understand the world we are living in and how we can move forward more sustainably.

Although the subjects were different, I came away from both talks with a similar message: we need to stay curious, keep talking and find ways to take positive action, rather than allowing anxiety to turn into apathy. Whether we’re talking about our own mental wellbeing or the future of the planet, connection, compassion and education all have a part to play.

If you’d like to find out more about the climate challenges ahead and what we can do about them, why not support Greener Henley and go along to The People’s Emergency Briefing at Henley Rugby Club on 11 November.  An opportunity to learn more, ask questions and explore how we can all play a part in shaping a more sustainable future.

And on a lighter note, ☕📚- a little reminder that Experience Henley members can enjoy 15% off at Café Luxe at The Relais — another good reason to support our lovely local businesses.

Next up, I’ll be reviewing two amazing historical authors, Elif Shafak and Victoria Hislop, whose extensive research into historical events helps them put things into perspective and find hope for the future.

Words & Pictures: Emma Tallent