Five Charities Supporting Mental Health
From helping make people feel less isolated to removing the stigma of suicide, these charities are working to improve the lives of people struggling with poor mental health
This is a feature from Issue 20 of Charitable Traveller. Click to read more from this issue.
1. The Wolfpack Project
Dedicated to reducing loneliness and isolation in young adults, The Wolfpack Project works to identify the loneliest in society and help support them to engage in activities/hobbies, pursue their interests, and access the one-to-one support of its Buddy Scheme. The charity recognises that each and every one of us will have experienced loneliness and social isolation at some point, and so is here to promote socialising and forging deeper connections with the community around us.
2. State of Mind Sport
A charity that harnesses the power of sport to promote positive mental health, State of Mind Sport doesn’t just support sportsmen and women, but also the fans and wider communities, to ultimately prevent suicide. Established in 2011, State of Mind Sport raises awareness of the issues surrounding mental health and well-being and delivers education on the subject to all levels of sport, business, education and community groups.
3. Papyrus
Founded by a group of parents in 1997 who had all tragically lost a child to suicide, Papyrus exists to reduce the number of young people who take their own lives. It does this by supporting and equipping young people and their communities with the skills to recognise and respond appropriately to suicidal behaviour, through its helpline (that offers confidential support and advice), and by delivering training and awareness-raising programmes to individuals and community groups.
4. MenTalkHealth
With the simple aim of working to get men talking about mental health, for the benefit of everyone, MenTalkHealth does this by sharing lived experiences and conversations from a range of people who have a story to share. By promoting conversations, the charity hopes they can tackle the stigma that prevents men from finding help before it’s too late, and it does this by creating content, providing training and hosting events that are open to all.
5. Ben Uri Arts And Health Institute
Inspired by the Ben Uri Collection of art works created by late 19th, 20th and 21st century immigrant artists in the UK, the charity aims to bring meaningful creative engagements to older adults who are experiencing social isolation or dementia. Through researched and evaluated art interventions, the Institute helps improve the mental health, independence and quality of life of people both living in care settings and the wider community using local day care centres.
by net effect