Thank you to everyone who bought raffle tickets, sponsored me and encouraged me during May's fundraising.
I was over the moon to have raised £1,525 for Leeds Mind Charity. I organised a chat last week with Charli Brunning from the charity who chatted with me about what the charity does and how the demand for services has increased so much over the pandemic. Here are just a few of the figures she shared with me that confirmed what I already knew was that mental health illness has increased. These figures show that the referrals she has seen coming in have doubled!!! Yes doubled, however she did also mention that fundraising has decreased by a half.
So more people need the support more than ever now but fundraising shortages means that less services can be provided.
Since April 2020, new referrals to our services have increased each quarter.
Q1 335 referrals
Q2 476
Q3 644
Q4 721
These figures back the most recent Mind study findings that show 1 in 2 people will experience a mental health difficulty during their lifetime (up from a previous figure of 1 in 4 people).
There has been a change in WHO we are seeing access our services most. The highest access rates historically have been from the 45-54 age range, but we have seen this change for the first time during the pandemic to the Children and Young People age group (16-30).
1 in 5 of men and 1 in 3 of women in Leeds have had a mental health diagnosis confirmed from a medical professional.
In July 2020, 1 in 6 people under 16 in Leeds, were experiencing a mental health difficulty. 1 in 5 of these reported waiting more than 6 months to see a mental health professional. This means that approximately 5000 children in Leeds are currently waiting for mental health support.
Depression has increased and now affects roughly a quarter of men and women over the age of 65. Approximately 31,000 people in Leeds.
More than 1 in 3 of those aged 75+ say they have feelings of loneliness that are out of their control. Approximately 19,000 people in Leeds.
In terms of where your money goes from fundraising, I asked what happens to our money. She explained that all the money goes straight back to providing MORE services on top of what they can provide. Meaning more people can access their services, see the ‘shopping list’ below of what the money could do for the charity:
£1.50 could pay for ingredients to take part in our Cookery Club
£3 can fund a canvass for an aspiring artist at Inkwell
£5 could fund a place in a group ‘wellbeing session’
£10 can fund a place on group counselling sessions
£30 could fund an hour of Counselling
£50 could support a befriending social event
£100 could fund a group support session
£500 could fund a volunteer’s expenses for a year
£15,000 pays for 1-2-1 key working support for a year
£40,000 pays for a full-time project worker and support costs
Speaking with Charli has really shown to me how much people need our services to support them in what ever way.
Please remember to reach out and talk to someone if you need support. Leeds Mind can help you in a variety of ways, as well as myself and other therapist being their to support anyone.
Keep your eyes peeled for more ways I am hoping to support Leeds Mind Charity in the future as well as support you my clients too.
If you would like to arrange a FREE telephone consultation with me please get in touch.