Exeter’s BIGGEST Community Mental Health Day this June

On Monday 1st June 2026, Exeter will host its biggest community-focused mental health event at Exeter Corn Exchange, aptly named ‘Exeter’s Biggest Community Mental Health Day’. Organised by CoLab, one of the five partners within the Devon Mental Health Alliance (DMHA), the event invites people across the city to explore what matters most to them right now. The event offers a safe, supportive, non-medical space for people to connect with local services, groups and activities that relate to everyday pressures affecting mental wellbeing — including housing, relationships, work and training, health and money. With two open sessions (10am–1pm and 3pm–6pm), people can drop in at a time that suits them.

Matt Merriam, the DMHA’s Community Mental Health Development Lead for Eastern Devon shared the importance of this event for Exeter:

"I am really excited about the upcoming ‘Exeter's Biggest Community Mental Health Day’ event organised by Matt Young at CoLab. It will be an incredible opportunity for people across Exeter to come and find the services and activities that will support them with what they really need and want.”

Following a successful pilot in November, the Open Day has been shaped by important learning. The trial highlighted that having a Community Mental Health Day was just as valuable for organisations as it was for individuals, leading to the creation of dedicated space for organisations to connect, collaborate and innovate together during the event.

Matt Merriam, reflected on the journey CoLab have been on to achieve this June event, he said:

“CoLab ran a trial run in November which gave insight that it wasn't just individuals that needed the event, it was also the organisations. Matt has cleverly created space in the middle of the event for organisations to connect, collaborate, and innovate together. So not only does this promise to be an event that helps people get the right support, but it may also help transform the shape of health and wellbeing across the city through these new connections."

Part of a wider Devon-wide commitment to community-led mental health support, Exeter’s Biggest Community Mental Health Day reflects the power of collaboration — bringing people and organisations together to build a healthier city.

“No diagnosis. No judgement. No pressure. Just people ready to help.”