4. We change minds

Together with our unstoppable campaigners, we speak out and take action against injustice, and it works. We’re known for our boldness.

For doing whatever it takes to fight for better services.

For making sure people’s voices are heard – especially those of us who are often ignored.

By putting real experiences at the heart of our campaigning and lobbying, we make real change happen.

Now, we’re pushing the Welsh government to make sure the final strategy is even stronger and goes beyond listening to people’s experiences to deliver on improved support for all our communities in Wales.

4.1 A new mental health strategy for Wales

When the Welsh Government published their draft mental health and wellbeing strategy in February, it was shaped by the experiences of hundreds of people living with mental health problems in Wales.

In preparation for this once in a decade opportunity, we held focus groups with Llanelli Mind, Mind’s Youth Voice Network and Black Asian and Minority Ethnic (BAME) Mental Health Support.

These sessions shone a spotlight on the experiences of young people and people from racialised communities, with a special focus on how to make the strategy effectively anti-racist.

An online survey also captured Wales-wide views on what matters most for mental health, changes needed to NHS support, inequality and the social causes of mental health problems. Overall, 400 people entrusted us with their experiences and views, which provided us with the foundation of our response to the Welsh Government.

In turn this was reflected in the draft strategy with:

A commitment to the mental health system being anti-racist
A continued focus on tackling stigma and discrimination
Recognising the impact of wider social determinants, such as poverty
A desire for the mental health system to be more connected and easier to navigate

4.2 Advocating for young people’s rights

Another important area highlighted in the draft mental health and wellbeing strategy, was the need for better support for young people as they move from child to adult mental health services.

Since the launch of our Sort the Switch Campaign in 2022, which highlighted this issue, we have continued to fight for change alongside our young campaigners.

At a meeting with Welsh Government’s Children, Young People and Education Committee, young campaigners shared their personal experiences of care once they reached 18. Their moving stories about the detrimental effect this had on their mental health recovery had a significant impact on the politicians who attended.

Thanks to their testimony, the committee made a clear recommendation to Welsh Government to urgently address the negative impact this transition is having on young people. The committee also challenged the Minister for Mental Health to do more to listen to, and action, the views of the young people featured in our extensive research.

We will continue to campaign until there are clear improvements in the experiences of young people.