Guernsey Mind is a mental health charity whose main aim is to support the people of the Bailiwick, encouraging a positive attitude towards mental health and supporting mental wellbeing.
This is achieved in three main ways; through the provision of one-to-one services; an extensive workplace wellbeing programme of training and support; and work in the community, which includes the provision of support groups, awareness raising events and proactive community awareness campaigning.
Mind received a total of £350,000 in funding to help it deliver its core services over a two-year period. The Foundation awarded £50,000, the Social Investment Fund awarded £200,000 and Guernsey Community Foundation awarded a further £100,000.
In 2022, Guernsey Mind provided 431 individuals with one-to-one support, while 1,216 people attended one of the charity’s training sessions, with 152 becoming Mental Health First Aiders.
In addition to helping people on an individual level, one of the charity’s aims is to promote positive mental health, to raise awareness and enable access to a range of services for everyone who needs them.
One of the biggest barriers for people seeking help for poor mental health is stigma. The work Mind does through its awareness raising campaigns and training programmes seeks to dispel stigma, educate, and inform the whole community about the importance of looking after mental health as well as physical health, and that early, proactive help and support can lead to much more positive outcomes.
“Our vision is of a society that has a positive attitude towards mental health and is supportive of mental wellbeing for all. In addition to helping people on an individual level, one of our aims is to promote positive mental health to raise awareness and enable access to a range of services for everyone who needs them.” – Jo Cottell, Chief Executive
