£3m for mental health projects across Wales

Third sector and voluntary organisations will receive £3m from the Welsh Government to run mental health projects across Wales, Health and Social Services Minister Mark Drakeford announced today.

The projects will provide services to complement those already provided by the Welsh NHS and other public sector organisations in Wales.

Organisations which will directly benefit from the £3m funding are:

• Alzheimer’s Society – £247,925
• Bipolar UK – £237,600
• Cruse Bereavement Care – £80,000
• Diverse Cymru – £226,727
• Gofal – £186,783
• Hafal – £607,000
• Mental Health Foundation – £80,969
• Mind Aberystwyth – £163,240
• Mind Cymru – £522,552
• Samaritans – £326,737
• Sight Cymru – £77,880
• SPICE Innovations – £182,768

In Wales, we spend more on mental health services than on any other NHS service. We have ring-fenced mental health spending for a number of years and extended the mental health ring-fence from £389m 5 years ago to £587m in 2014-15.

Speaking during Metal Health Awareness Week 2015, Professor Drakeford said:

“Third sector organisations in Wales play a key role in supporting those with mental health problems. The projects we are funding will provide additional services to individuals which will complement those already delivered by the Welsh NHS and other public sector partners.

“These projects, which are underpinned by our prudent healthcare principles, will help us achieve a number of the goals included in our 10-year strategy Together for Mental Health.

“This new round of funding, despite the continuing pressure on Welsh Government budgets, demonstrates our commitment to the voluntary sector and recognises the value that they are able to bring to the delivery of front line services.”