Blogs
Read contributions of experiences and perspectives on the VCSE mental health sector, service delivery, mental health policy and other pertinent topics.
You Don't Have to Do It Alone - Utilising Support Systems
Association of Mental Health Providers
Published: October 30, 2025
Anonymised Guest Blog Many people, especially carers or those dealing with mental health challenges, fall into the belief that they must carry the weight alone. Whether it’s pride, fear of judgment, or simply not knowing what help exists, the idea of reaching out can feel overwhelming. But here’s the truth: we are not designed to…
Read moreThe Climate Crisis and Mental Health
Ella Dunthorne
Published: October 10, 2025
This World Mental Health Day, the World Health Organization is focusing on “Access to Services – Mental Health in Catastrophes and Emergencies.” For us, that means asking a vital question: How do we ensure that mental health is not left behind in the face of the climate crisis? Floods, heatwaves, and wildfires are no longer…
Read moreReimagining Suicide Prevention for Autistic People
Ella Dunthorne
Published: September 10, 2025
Today, on World Suicide Prevention Day, it is vital not to overlook neurodiverse communities, particularly autistic people, who face alarmingly high suicide rates. “Whilst 1 in 37 non-autistic people ever attempt suicide, approximately 1 in 4 autistic people do so,” said Dr Rachel Moseley, Principal Academic in Psychology at Bournemouth University. A recent study led…
Read moreThe Unseen Role - Being a Carer
Association of Mental Health Providers
Published: August 21, 2025
Anonymised Guest Blog Being a carer is one of the most selfless roles a person can take on, but it often comes with an immense emotional, physical, and mental load that goes unseen by society. Whether caring for a parent, child, partner, or friend, the role quietly reshapes every part of life. Many carers don’t…
Read moreCPTSD - Living with a Nervous System Wired for Survival
Association of Mental Health Providers
Published: July 29, 2025
Anonymised Guest Blog Complex Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (CPTSD) isn’t something most people learn about in school, yet it silently affects many. Unlike PTSD, which often stems from a single traumatic event, CPTSD results from prolonged exposure to trauma, typically in childhood, relationships, or environments where escape wasn’t possible. Living with CPTSD can feel like navigating…
Read moreReflections 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…
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