Wellcome UK Mental Health CSO Discretionary Grant: Constituency Engagement

Current UK Government plans fall short in addressing the urgency and scale of mental health need across the country. Given the complex political landscape and economic constraints, securing major new investment in mental health care will be difficult without increased, consistent political and public pressure. To drive change, public pressure—particularly from those directly impacted —is essential. However, sector-wide funding cuts have made it difficult to build and sustain the pressure needed to secure government action. At the same time, current media narratives risk undermining progress we’ve made in shifting attitudes to mental health. This grant will amplify the public support we know exists across the UK for transformational changes in mental health care. This will include supporting young people aged 16-25 who are currently most impacted by negative media and political narratives to engage directly with decision-makers, share their perspectives and advocate for and inspire positive change. The grant will enable young advocates to explore and utilise a range of public engagement tactics — including media, PR, and creative advocacy —to begin to increase public and political cut-through for mental health.