Mind (charity)

Mind (charity)

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Mind (charity)

Mind (formally, the National Association for Mental Health) is a mental health charity in England and Wales. Founded in 1946, it celebrated its 60th anniversary in 2006.

Mind offers information and advice to people with mental health problems and lobbies government and local authorities on their behalf. It also works to raise public awareness and understanding of issues relating to mental health.

Over 200 local Mind associations (independent, affiliated charities) provide services such as supported housing, floating support schemes, care homes, drop ins, self help support groups etc. Local Mind associations are often very different in size, make up and character - it is a common misconception that they all work to the same policy and procedural framework. 'Mind' is a national brand but all local associations are unique.

History

The National Association for Mental Health (NAMH) was founded in 1946, the name MIND was introduced in 1972 and the lowercase version "Mind" was introduced in the nineties (although to this day "MIND" with all capitals is often used).

The National Association for Mental Health was formed by the merging of three major mental health organisations.

the Central Association for Mental Welfare
the National Council for Mental Hygiene, and
the Child Guidance Council

The 1973 book Believe What You Like: What happened between the Scientologists and the National Association for Mental Health by C. H. Rolph details the controversy of how, starting in 1969, large numbers of Scientologists joined the NAMH, attempted to ratify as official policy a number of points concerning the treatment of psychiatric patients and, when their identity was realised, were expelled from the organisation en masse, the Church of Scientology later suing the NAMH over the matter in the High Court in 1971. The case was notable in UK charity law.

Mind has celebrated World Mental Health Day annually since it was first observed in 1992. This occurs on 10 October.

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