Blogs
Read contributions of experiences and perspectives on the VCSE mental health sector, service delivery, mental health policy and other pertinent topics.
Prioritising 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…
Read moreCaring for Your Mental Health During the Festive Season
Ella Dunthorne
Published: December 19, 2023
The festive season is often considered a time of joy, togetherness, and celebration. However, for many, the pressures and expectations which accompany the Christmas period can take a toll on mental wellbeing. Balancing the demands of festive preparations, social activities, and family expectations can be overwhelming. In this blog post, we will explore a range…
Read moreThe Mental Health Act Review: Reflecting on 5 Years of Advocacy and Calls to Reform
Association of Mental Health Providers
Published: December 13, 2023
December 2023 marks 5 years since Sir Professor Simon Wessley’s Independent Review of the Mental Health Act. The initial aims of this Independent Review were to confront racial inequalities faced by Black and Ethnic minority communities detained under the Mental Health Act, address the sharp rates in detention and modernise mental health-related processes, with the…
Read moreCoping with Stress: Stigma and Solutions
Ella Dunthorne
Published: November 2, 2023
Stress can help alert us to danger or ensure we are kept safe. However, too much stress can harm our mental and physical health. It is Stress Awareness Week, and this year’s theme is “Beyond Stress Management: From Stigma to Solutions”. In this blog post, we want to give you a clear overview of what…
Read moreGuest Blog: Youth Mental Health Day
Ella Dunthorne
Published: September 19, 2023
Today is Youth Mental Health Day, an opportunity to recognise the unique challenges that young people face and the positive impact support can bring. We are pleased to have a guest blog post written by our members No5 Young People who help young people to be brave, manage anxiety, and improve their mental health through…
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