Our ambition at York is to improve the lives and care of anyone affected by mental ill health, and develop new preventative techniques to reduce the cases of mental ill health and its impact. 

By donating today, you can help provide funding for on the ground initiatives and groundbreaking research, improving mental health in York and beyond.

Mental ill health can affect anyone, at any stage of life. Right now, support for mental health is desperately needed. The Covid-19 pandemic has triggered a 25% increase in the prevalence of anxiety and depression worldwide. Poor mental health accounts for 23% of the UK disease burden, but receives only around 6% of UK medical research spending.

Mentally Fit York provides funding for a range of initiatives aimed at enhancing the lives of people affected by mental health problems, and reducing their risk and severity. For us to achieve this, there are a few key areas where funding is directed:

• Initiatives to improve mental health for students and the wider community
• Ground-breaking collaborative research
• Scholarships for Mental Health Nursing Students

One of the projects recently funded by Mentally Fit York is a Therapeutic Writing Group run by Dr Melanie Forster. This is a series of sessions that uses therapeutic expressive writing activities to help vulnerable women, many experiencing mental health challenges, learn different ways to better enhance their resilience and emotional health.

This is a free, community-based intervention offered to local women that fills a crucial area of need; support like this is just not available from other services or mental health professionals in our community. At a time when therapeutic group work within the York community is reduced, and waiting lists for individual adult psychological support within statutory services are increasing, this is an invaluable intervention that aids a large group of individuals.

It will also benefit MSc psychology students, who will be involved in not only helping delivering the sessions, but also conducting research projects with these participants. 

“The funding ensures that the group will be  safe, nurturing and supportive, which is an essential part of the women’s therapeutic experience. Through the funding, each member will receive a leather writing journal and pen, a set of self-care packages to help them prioritise and value their own wellbeing, and nourishing refreshments each session to communicate they are valued and cared about.”

Dr Melanie Forster 

Good mental health is the cornerstone of a healthy, happy, productive society. It enables communities to thrive and empowers people to be ambitious and achieve their life's goals, inspiring inclusive, compassionate and purposeful communities.

Please consider making a difference to mental health by making a gift to Mentally Fit York this Giving Day. 

Thank you.