Want to make a difference? Support your local Mind this World Mental Health Day
People keen to make a difference this World Mental Health Day (October 10th) are encouraged to show their support by raising funds, donating goods or volunteering for their local Mind in Wales.
The theme for this year’s event is about listening to people’s lived experiences of their mental health and turning ‘Real Voices’ into ‘Real Change’. This is because there’s no one-size-fits-all approach to mental health.
And it’s why, in Wales, there are 15 local Minds delivering services designed around the needs of the communities they exist to serve. They understand that no two lives are the same, and neither is the support that we need for our mental health.
Tom Boyce, Head of Networks (Wales) at Mind Cymru, says: “Every local Mind in Wales is different, located within the heart of their community, and exists to provide support that people locally need. They know first-hand that people’s mental health needs can be complex and that finding the right support can change lives and stop people from reaching crisis point.
“The message this World Mental Health Day, however, is simple – if you’re in a position to help, local Minds need your support. Every fundraiser organised, volunteer hour given and every donation made helps ensure local people get to continue accessing life-changing mental health support in their local area across Wales.”
As independent charities each local Mind has its own board of trustees, is responsible for raising their own funds, and is part of a network of 100 local Mind organisations supporting people across England and Wales.
In the year 2024-25, local Minds in Wales:
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Delivered more than 160 different services to communities nationwide.
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Supported 32,246 people with their mental health.
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Generated £670,815 worth of time in volunteer hours.
The services they provide include:
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Rural Outreach – For practical support, form-filling and counselling support specifically tailored for farmers and rural workers.
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Drop In Services – Based at livestock markets, job centres, Citizens Advice and more.
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Support groups focused on in work support, mums and parenting, housing and tenancy, children and young People, family wellbeing, migrant support and more.
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Community groups based around gardening, arts and crafts, literature, swimming, walking and more.
Tom added: “Many local Minds provide therapy and counselling services, while some provide crisis support or information and advice on benefits, housing, legal rights and other issues. They’re the embodiment in many ways of what this year’s World Mental Health Day stands for, and in terms of being there to hear what the lived experiences of people with mental health problems in Wales have to say.”
“We also need to remember that local Minds are there to provide support all year round, and that to continue helping people with their mental health in local communities – and in a way that meets their needs – they need our support to do so.”
Ideas for fundraising in aid of your local Mind can be found on Mind’s website here and information on the local Mind in your area can be found here.
If you’re concerned about your own mental health or someone you know, you can also seek support by:
- Calling one of Mind’s Helplines or accessing information on the Mind website at www.mind.org.uk
- Reaching out to Mind’s online community Side by Side, available 7 days a week and 24 hours a day at https://sidebyside.mind.org.uk/
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Texting SHOUT to 85258, a free 24/7 crisis text service.
