Sue O’Leary becomes new Director of Mind Cymru

Sue O’Leary has become the new Director of Mind Cymru, taking over from outgoing Director Sara Moseley.

Sue has been with Mind Cymru for the past five years, as Head of Operations, where she worked with our network of local Minds and partners to co-produce service delivery models including services for older people and social prescribing. Alongside her new role, Sue also chairs the Wales Alliance for Mental Health and the anti-stigma campaign, Time to Change Wales.

She said: “I am delighted to have been given the chance to lead Mind Cymru. We are at the forefront of mental health provision in Wales and I am really excited to get stuck in to the challenges facing us as we deal with the mental health fallout of the pandemic.”

Reflecting on her new role, Sue added: “I want Mind Cymru to be focussing on, and campaigning for, the provision of early support – that is, making sure that people who are having problems with their mental health get the help they need before things get worse. This will mean ensuring we directly tackle the inequalities that the pandemic has brought into focus and having the difficult conversations about what needs to change to ensure support is accessible to everyone.

“It is about tackling the stigma around mental health which, despite the fantastic efforts of Time to Change Wales, is still experienced by too many and acts as a barrier to seeking support.

“We know the mental health system was under pressure before the pandemic with a rising number of people seeking support, and  I want to work with colleagues to achieve a more integrated mental health support system in Wales, where third sector partners can work in a more joined up way with colleagues in health services.”