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 last year.

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Mind offers information for those with mental health problems. It advocates to and lobbies government and local authorities on their behalf. Over 200 local Mind associations (independent, affiliated charities) provide mental health services such as day services, counselling, and housing.

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.

References

See also

• Scientology and psychiatry
• Enquiry into the Practice and Effects of Scientology
• Believe What You Like: What happened between the Scientologists and the National Association for Mental Health
• Kenneth Robinson