Mental illness affects people from every walk of life – 1in 4 people experience mental distress at some time in their lives and a third of all GP visits relate to mental health.

Depression and anxiety, two of the most common forms of mental distress, can severely affect people’s everyday lives and careers, and place a strain on close relationships.

Mind give direct support and advice to people with experience of mental distress and campaign to influence Government policy and legislation.

In the UK we find ourselves at a crossroads in mental healthcare. The progress of the last few years has been threatened by resource cuts in the NHS. New policies around welfare reform and the revised mental health legislation may lead to further decline in services.

Despite this, the opportunities for real change remain significant. Interest in mental health is shifting from the old negative stereotypes towards the effect of mental distress on real people’s lives. The fight for mental health to be seen as a part of everyday life is ongoing.

Mind rely on the support of the public to continue their important work.

How Mind Funds are spent

· £8 provides a lifeline. It enables us to answer a call to the MindinfoLine from someone in desperate need of support.

· £15 could help someone experiencing mental health problems to take part in a group therapy session where they are encouraged to discuss their feelings

· £150 could help to establish a vital support group at one of the local Mind associations assisting people with mental health problems in regaining confidence and self-esteem

· £108 would help to keep Mind infoLine open for one hour, answering on average the concerns of 14 people in need of support and information.

· £500 would help the legal line to be open for one day giving important information about their rights and practical legal advice to people with mental health problems.

· £1000 could help support a local Mind association befriending scheme. Trained workers make regular phone calls to isolated people who are at risk of developing depression and other mental health related problems.

· £2000 would help support a local Mind association in providing training programmes and work experience for people recovering from mental illness, increasing their confidence and giving them real employment opportunities.

· £10 could help 30 people in need to receive practical advice though essential information booklets on important issues like depression or bereavement.

· £250 could help purchase equipment such as brushes and paper for an art therapy group, helping people with mental health problems express their feelings through art.

· £20 could help the Diverse Minds team challenge ethnic and cultural discrimination in the provision of mental health services.

· £40 could help Mind promote green exercise and outdoor activities as alternative option to drug therapy, helping people with anxiety and depression.

· £30 could help us to challenge Government policy, promote awareness of mental health issues and reduce stigma and discrimination for years to come.

· £700 would pay for one of the information booklets to be translated into another language to reach out to even more people in need in diverse communities

· For every £1 spent Mind raise another £3 to help fund vital services such as MindinfoLine and local Mind association projects

Mind works for a better life for people with experience of mental distress by providing help and information, and campaigning for change. They do not rely on the Government for money or accept donations from pharmaceutical companies, so that they can remain objective and independent. This means that they rely on donations to continue their important work. With your help we can make a difference.

Watch This is Mind to learn how they making a real difference to real people : www.mind.org.uk/ThisisMind