BRITs 2018 partners with mental health charity, Mind, to promote mental health in schools and the music industry

This morning, the three organisations were presented with the £250,000 cheque by BRITs Chairman and Sony Music UK Chairman and CEO Jason Iley and musician, George Ezra.

Distributed through The BRIT Trust, the money has been donated to Mind, The BRIT School for Performing Arts and Technology and Music Support.

BRITs Chairman, Jason Iley said: “I am delighted that we can use the BRIT Awards platform to publicly support and fundraise for mental wellbeing.

The difference that these charities make towards people’s lives is immeasurable and addressing this subject within schools is vital to a progressive and optimistic future.”

The event was held at The BRIT School in Croydon and led by principal Stuart Warden, who was joined by Mind CEO Paul Farmer and Matt Thomas, from Music Support.

Where is the money going?

Of the donated funds, £200,000 has been pledged to Mind as part of a brand new partnership with The BRITs to support their ‘Whole School Approach to mental health’ - a pilot scheme launching in September across six schools, including The BRIT School. The scheme will oversee support for the mental health of everyone involved in the schools, from parents and teachers to the students. It will include a self-assessment tool for schools, tailored assemblies and workshops, as well as one on one sessions for young people in need of support, and further information and training for teachers.

On the donation, Paul Farmer previously said: “We are so grateful to The BRIT Awards 2018 for this generous donation which will help us to establish our Whole School Approach to mental health pilot in secondary schools. It will enable us to trial some exciting and innovative new ways of supporting the mental health and wellbeing pupils, teachers, parents and everyone involved in school life.

“One in 10 young people has a diagnosable mental health problem - that’s around three in every class of 30 pupils. We know that earlier and effective support makes all the difference” he said. “Without the right help, at the right time, mental health problems can have a long lasting impact and stop young people achieving their dreams and aspirations.

“This investment will be the first step in an approach that has the potential to change the lives of thousands of children.”

This investment will be the first step in an approach that has the potential to change the lives of thousands of children.

A further £25,000 has been awarded to The Brit School to support dedicated mental health, wellbeing and special needs work. Already showing huge commitment to mental health through its own bespoke ‘Blue Skies’ programme, this will help the school continue to serve students and staff alike to focus on promoting mental health care and support.

The remaining £25,000 will go the Music Support, the new music industry addictions and mental health charity, established by Matt Thomas and Andy Franks, with Robbie Williams as patron.

George Ezra, who has previously spoken out about mental health and performed a fundraising gig for Mind in 2017, said: “I think it’s brilliant that Mind are working with secondary schools to help raise awareness of mental health and wellbeing.

“Your school years are such an important time and having an understanding of mental health and knowing what support is available can make a real difference” he said. “I’m really pleased that the BRIT Awards have chosen Mind to roll out this important project, reaching thousands of people.”

Previous recipients of funds raising through The BRIT Awards include Nordoff-Robbins Music Therapy and War Child. The BRIT Awards announced earlier this year that in 2017 they had raised over £1 million for its BRIT Trust charitable arm, which since its foundation in 1989, has distributed over £20 million to charities that promote education and wellbeing through music.

It seems music and mental health go hand in hand. Read about the Four Musicians Who Are Crushing the Stigma of Mental Health and In Music We Trust: the brand donating 50% of profits to Mind.

For mental health support and to find a counsellor near you, visit Counselling Directory.

Image credit | John Marshall / JMEnternational