The BRIT Awards with Mastercard

For their 2018 awards, the BRITs 2018 partnered with Mind to support and educate on the importance of mental wellbeing in schools. As the official BRITs charity partner for 2018, Mind received £250,000 to contribute towards their pilot Whole School Approach to mental health programme. The programme sought to integrate mental health and wellbeing within the culture of secondary schools to a reach of pupils, staff, parents, and the wider community.

Furthermore, the partnership helped promote the importance of mental health and wellbeing across the music and performing arts sectors. It aimed to encourage every part of the industry to prioritise tackling stigma by committing to Time to Change. Time to Change, which Mind ran jointly with Rethink Mental Illness, closed on 31st March 2021.

Jason Iley, Chairman BRIT Awards and Chairman and CEO, Sony Music UK & Ireland, said:

“Mind does wonderful life-saving and life-enhancing work in the field of mental health, so I’m delighted that The BRITs can contribute to their vital campaign in schools. I am thrilled that we have invested this money into such worthy causes.”

Geoff Taylor, Chief Executive BPI & BRIT Awards, said:

“One in four people are now estimated to experience mental health problems. The BRIT Awards’ donation to Mind, promoting mental wellbeing in schools and the workplace, could not be better timed.

I am delighted that we can also support the important work of The BRIT School and Music Support to encourage mental wellbeing. A further demonstration of the value of music and the profound role it can play in inspiring social change and improving people’s lives.”

Paul Farmer, Chief Executive of Mind said:

“We are grateful to the BRIT Awards 2018 for this generous donation which will help us 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 of pupils, teachers, parents and everyone involved in school life. Many of our local Minds are already very experienced in running school programmes. We’ll be working with some of them to deliver this important pilot.

“Three children in every classroom have a diagnosable mental health problem, but many don’t seek help. We know that early and effective support makes all the difference. Without the right help, at the right time, mental health problems in childhood can have a long-lasting impact and stop young people from achieving their dreams and aspirations.

“We also know that teachers and parents are eager to learn about mental health, to be armed with advice and information and to feel more confident about having difficult conversations. By working with everyone in the school community, we know that we can come together and make a difference. This investment will be the first step in a programme that has the potential to change the lives of thousands of children, as well as equip the next generation to have the essential tools they need to stay mentally well and recover more easily from difficult life experiences.”