Community projects nationwide are set to receive a share of £5million of government investment to expand mental health support.
Existing services will be better able to respond to the global pandemic with the cash boost from the government.
The funding is being delivered by the mental health charity Mind and was announced by Mental Health Minister Nadine Dorries on the 29th May.
Other voluntary organisations from around the country will also receive a financial boost – local Mind organisations, Ambitious about Autism, Support after Rape and Sexual Violence, LGBT Foundation and the Campaign Against Living Miserably.
The fund is administered by Mind as part of the Mental Health Consortia, made up of Mind, the Association of Mental Health Providers, Centre for Mental Health, Mental Health Foundation, the National Survivor User Network and Rethink Mental Illness.
Mental Health Minister Nadine Dorries said:
“This epidemic has had huge consequences for us all, but for some it has been especially difficult, leading to loneliness, anxiety and other mental health challenges.
“I believe we must pull together as a nation during these trying times and I am absolutely determined that no one should have to cope with mental illness alone.
“While our NHS remains open for business and has adapted its care to continue to provide vital mental health care throughout the crisis, this investment will only strengthen what’s on offer and ensure emotional support sits at the heart of the community.”
This cash boost package follows on from Matt Hancock’s announcement of £4.2millon investment for mental health charities – Samaritans, YoungMinds, and Bipolar UK.
Chief Executive of Mind Paul Farmer said:
“It’s important that Mind, working closely with our colleagues in the Mental Health Consortia, have been able to quickly promote, assess and award much-needed funds to charities providing frontline mental health support in the midst of the coronavirus crisis.
“We were inundated with applications for the fund, showing just how much the support is needed.
“The coronavirus pandemic is impacting all of us, but is especially hard on those of us living with a mental health problem.
“The recipients of this much-needed fund are doing incredible work to support those who need them most, both on a national scale and in the community, and the money granted will help them continue to work in innovative ways.
“There’s still far more to be done, and we look forward to continuing to work together to help combat the mental health emergency we find ourselves in as we fund more organisations across England.”
