Blogs
Read contributions of experiences and perspectives on the VCSE mental health sector, service delivery, mental health policy and other pertinent topics.
Reflections on My First Month as Interim Chief Executive
Dania Hanif
Published: July 8, 2025
As I complete my first month as Interim Chief Executive, I find myself reflecting not just on the past few weeks, but on a much longer journey. I’ve been part of the Association of Mental Health Providers for over nine years. During that time, I’ve worked across the breadth of our mission – supporting members,…
Read moreThe Cost of Being Unseen: A Journey from Crisis to Connection
Association of Mental Health Providers
Published: June 19, 2025
By Kerri Moore I have lived with mental health challenges from my early teenage years into adulthood. These challenges have ranged in severity and complexity, shaped in part by Adverse Childhood Experiences (ACEs), my time in the care system, and a late-in-life neurodivergent diagnosis that finally gave context to my decades-long search for understanding. At…
Read moreLiving With Mental Distress: My Journey of Recovery, Identity, and Hope
Association of Mental Health Providers
Published: June 19, 2025
By Isaac Samuels, Think Local Act Personal For over 25 years now, I’ve been on a journey living with mental distress, a path full of ups, downs, struggles and, thankfully, moments of real breakthrough. Mental health for me has never just been about symptoms or diagnosis. It’s been about understanding myself as a whole person,…
Read moreShaping the Future of Community Mental Health Services
Ella Dunthorne
Published: May 22, 2025
On 17 December, the House of Commons Health and Social Care Select Committee launched an inquiry into community mental health services. This marked a crucial opportunity to highlight the crucial role that voluntary, community, and social enterprise (VCSE) organisations play in delivering compassionate, person-centred mental health care and support services, particularly for people with complex…
Read morePrioritising Student Mental Health
Ella Dunthorne
Published: March 13, 2025
“1 in 4 students would not know where to go to get mental health support at university if they needed it.” (Student Minds, 2023) The same proportion of students also have a diagnosed mental health condition. Navigating university life can be exciting and nerve-wracking. With social events, academic deadlines, and meeting new people, it is…
Read moreThe Right to Health: People with eating disorders being failed
Ella Dunthorne
Published: February 24, 2025
Written by Hope Virgo Founder of #DumpTheScales and Secretariat for the APPG for Eating Disorders. As I sit here and reflect in the build-up to Eating Disorder Awareness Week 2025, I can’t help but feel a huge level of sadness for those people affected by eating disorders, for wider society and for future generations. A…
Read moreAnyone can have an eating disorder.
Ella Dunthorne
Published: February 24, 2025
Written by colleagues from our member Eating Distress North East. The theme of Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2025 is anyone can have an eating disorder. Beat estimate that at least 1 in 50 people in the UK have an eating disorder, but the true figure will be much higher and in 2023/24 NHS admissions for…
Read moreThe Value of Culturally Competent Peer Support
Ella Dunthorne
Published: November 8, 2024
– Taimour Ahmed, Project Lead for Taraki’s Cha in the City Programme November is a special month for me because it marks half a decade of my journey with Taraki. In the space of 5 years, I have transitioned and grown from an attendee of Taraki’s peer support spaces to someone who now leads…
Read moreThe Importance of Black Maternal Mental Health
Ella Dunthorne
Published: September 24, 2024
Black women are more likely to experience perinatal mental health issues but less likely to receive support. Black Maternal Mental Health Week UK is the annual awareness week The Motherhood Group coordinates. It is a crucial initiative which focuses on the wellbeing of Black mothers and children and starts on the 23rd of September. The…
Read moreMaternal Mental Health
Ella Dunthorne
Published: May 1, 2024
Maternal Mental Health Awareness Week is a seven-day campaign, organised by Perinatal Mental Health Partnership UK, focused on discussing mental health concerns before, during, and after pregnancy. This year the theme is “rediscovering you”. The Association of Mental Health Providers will highlight several of our members as part of our activities for the week to…
Read moreSupport for an Eating Disorder
Ella Dunthorne
Published: February 25, 2024
Eating Disorders Awareness Week 2024 is an annual awareness campaign, led by Beat, which takes place from 26 February to 3 March. It is a chance to share the realities of eating disorders to provide hope, support, and awareness for individuals and loved ones affected by eating disorders. An eating disorder is defined as a…
Read moreActs of Kindness
Ella Dunthorne
Published: February 16, 2024
Random Acts of Kindness Day is a vital opportunity to celebrate annually which encourages small moments of compassion towards ourselves and others. We know that practising kindness towards others can benefit our mental health and some studies have even shown that it can help prevent future mental ill-health too. Our partner, the Mental Health Foundation…
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