The Mental Health Foundation is a UK-based

charity Charity may refer to: Common meanings * Charitable organization or charity, a non-profit organization whose primary objectives are philanthropy and social well-being of persons * Charity (practice), the practice of being benevolent, giving and sha ...

dedicated to promoting good mental health and addressing mental health issues. Founded in 1949, the foundation aims to help people understand, protect, and sustain their mental health through prevention, research, community programs, and advocacy. The organisation is known for its annual Mental Health Awareness Week, which raises awareness and promotes action on mental health issues across the UK. By focusing on the root causes of mental health problems and advocating for policy changes, the Mental Health Foundation plays a significant role in improving mental wellbeing and reducing the stigma associated with mental health issues.

History

The Mental Health Foundation was founded in 1949, as the Mental Health Research Fund, by Derek Richter, a neurochemist and director of research at Whitchurch Hospital. Richter enlisted the help of

stockbroker A stockbroker is an individual or company that buys and sells stocks and other investments for a financial market participant in return for a commission, markup, or fee. In most countries they are regulated as a broker or broker-dealer and ...

Ian Henderson, who became the

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, while

Victoria Cross The Victoria Cross (VC) is the highest and most prestigious decoration of the Orders, decorations, and medals of the United Kingdom, British decorations system. It is awarded for valour "in the presence of the enemy" to members of the British ...

recipient Geoffrey Vickers became chair of the research committee. In 1972, the Mental Health Foundation took its current name, shifting its "focus away from laboratory research and towards working directly with—and learning from—people hoexperience mental health problems."

Mental Health Awareness Week

Each year, for a week in May, the Mental Health Foundation leads Mental Health Awareness Week. Mental Health Awareness Week was first held in 2001, and became one of the biggest mental health awareness events in the world.

Themes

Green ribbon

The

green ribbon The green ribbon can have a variety of symbolic meanings. Mitochondrial disease Mitochondrial disease awareness is represented by a green ribbon. Mitochondrial disease (mito) is a debilitating genetic disorder that robs the body's cells of e ...

is the "international symbol for

mental health Mental health is often mistakenly equated with the absence of mental illness. However, mental health refers to a person's overall emotional, psychological, and social well-being. It influences how individuals think, feel, and behave, and how t ...

awareness." The Foundation's green ribbon ambassadors, include:

Olly Alexander Oliver Alexander Thornton (born 15 July 1990) is an English singer, actor and List of LGBTQ rights activists, LGBTQ activist who rose to prominence as the lead singer of the English pop band Years & Years, who achieved two No. 1 albums on the U ...

Aisling Bea Aisling Clíodhnadh O'Sullivan (born 16 March 1984), known professionally as Aisling Bea ( ), is an Irish comedian, actress and screenwriter. She created, wrote and starred in the comedy series '' This Way Up'' on Channel 4. As a stand-up comedi ...

Olivia Colman Sarah Caroline Sinclair ( Colman; born 30 January 1974), known professionally as Olivia Colman, is an English actress. She has received various accolades, including an Academy Award, four BAFTA Awards, two Emmy Awards, three Golden Globe Award ...

Matt Haig Matt Haig (born 3 July 1975) is an English author and journalist. He has written both fiction and non-fiction books for children and adults, often in the speculative fiction genre. Early life Haig was born on 3 July 1975 in Sheffield. He grew ...

David Harewood David Michael Harewood (born 8 December 1965) is a British actor, presenter and the current president of the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art. He is best known for his roles as CIA Counterterrorism Director David Estes in ''Homeland'' (2011–2012 ...

, Nadiya Hussain, Grant Hutchison, Alex Lawther, and

Graham Norton Graham William Walker (born 4 April 1963), known professionally as Graham Norton, is an Irish comedian, broadcaster, actor, and writer. He is a five-time BAFTA TV Award winner for the comedy chat show ''The Graham Norton Show'' (2007–present) ...

. The movement uses the hashtag #PinItForMentalHealth.

Funding

The Foundation's total income for the financial year ending 31 March 2024 was £7.7m. The majority of this income comes from donations, legacies, and charitable activities.

Organization

The Foundation is an incorporated UK charity headed by a board of 12 trustees. Aisha Sheikh-Anene was appointed chair of the board of trustees in 2020. The president of the Foundation is Dr Jacqui Dyer MBE and the patron is Princess Alexandra.

References

{{Authority control Health charities in the United Kingdom Health in the London Borough of Southwark Medical and health organisations based in London Mental health organisations in the United Kingdom 1949 establishments in the United Kingdom Organisations based in the London Borough of Southwark Organizations established in 1949