Open Up

Run by national mental health charity Mind, Open Up gives people who have experienced mental health issues the opportunity to tackle mental health discrimination within their own communities. It works to reduce prejudice by giving people with experience of mental health problems the tools they need to speak out and take action.

circle of people with arms raised Open Up works with groups and also mentors people who are working on their own or are just starting out. The project links people in to others working towards the same cause and set up networking events where people can share and develop their ideas. The support is delivered regionally by Regional Co-ordinators - people who have experienced mental health problems themselves, who use their knowledge and understanding to reach out to people in their local areas who are in similar situations.

For the past two years the project has run the Open Up Initiatives Scheme, which asks people to come forward with their anti-discrimination ideas and supports them to get these projects up and running. As part of the scheme, Open Up staff provide advice, training and help with expenses to 16 initiatives per year from a range of different backgrounds. Open Up Initiatives use tools like drama, new media and research to get their message across.

Open Up image - hands held high Open Up was started by Mental Health Media in 2003 and became part of Mind when the two charities merged in 2009. The project is one of 7 national projects of the Time to Change programme and is funded by the Big Lottery Fund.