Mental Health Foundation

Mental Health Foundation

Founded	1949[1]
Legal status	Charity
Headquarters	Studio 2 197 Long Lane London SE1 4PD[2]
Region served	United Kingdom
Chief Executive	Mark Rowland[3]
Website	www.mentalhealth.org.uk

The Mental Health Foundation is a UK-based charity 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.[4]

History

The Mental Health Foundation was founded in 1949, as the Mental Health Research Fund, by Derek Richter,[1] a neurochemist and director of research at Whitchurch Hospital. Richter enlisted the help of stockbroker Ian Henderson, who became the chair, while Victoria Cross 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 [who] experience 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.[5]

Themes

Year	Themes
2013[6]	Physical activity and wellbeing
2014[7]	Anxiety
2015[8]	Mindfulness
2016[9]	Relationships
2017[10]	Surviving or thriving?
2018[11]	Stress: are we coping?
2019[12]	Body image: how we think and feel about our bodies
2020[13]	Kindness
2021[14]	Nature and the environment
2022[15]	Loneliness
2023[16]	Anxiety
2024[17]	Movement
2025[18]	TBC

Green ribbon

A Mental Health Foundation donation box with green ribbons

The green ribbon is the "international symbol for mental health awareness."

The Foundation's green ribbon ambassadors, include: Olly Alexander, Aisling Bea, Olivia Colman, Matt Haig, David Harewood, Nadiya Hussain, Grant Hutchison, Alex Lawther, and Graham Norton.

The movement uses the hashtag #PinItForMentalHealth.[19][20]

Funding

The Foundation's total income for the financial year ending 31 March 2018 was £5.8m.[21]

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.[22]

The president of the Foundation is Dr Jacqui Dyer MBE[23] and the patron is Princess Alexandra.

See also

• Foundation for People with Learning Disabilities
• Mental health in the United Kingdom

References

1. "Our history". Mental Health Foundation. Retrieved 6 February 2023.
2. "Contact us". 30 September 2022.
3. "Mark Rowland, Chief Executive". mentalhealth.org.uk. 12 January 2016. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
4. "Who We Are and What We Do". 30 November 2015.
5. "Mental Health Awareness Week 2019". fabukmagazine.com. 20 December 2018. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
6. "Let's Get Physical Report". 2 May 2013.
7. "Are You Anxiety Aware?". 2 April 2014.
8. "Mental Health Awareness Week 2015 Supporter Kit". 2 March 2015.
9. "Relationships".
10. "Mental Health Awareness Week 2017 preview". 5 May 2017.
11. "Stress: are we coping?". 21 March 2018.
12. "Mental Health Awareness Week Instagram graphics". 14 March 2019.
13. "Kindness".
14. "Nature and the environment".
15. "Loneliness".
16. "Anxiety".
17. "Movement".
18. "Movement".
19. "Green Ribbon Ambassadors". mentalhealth.org.uk. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
20. "Green Ribbon FAQs". 14 February 2019.
21. "Annual reports and key documents". mentalhealth.org.uk. 12 November 2015. Retrieved 9 March 2019.
22. "Mental Health Foundation appoints Aisha Sheikh-Anene as Chair of the Board of Trustees". mentalhealth.org.uk. 15 June 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.
23. "Mental Health Foundation announces new prevention strategy and new President". mentalhealth.org.uk. 21 November 2019. Retrieved 30 September 2022.