Annual report 2007/8

Vision Statement

YoungMinds vision is to help create a society that promotes good mental health and emotional wellbeing of all children and young people. We believe this is core to the achievement of active communities whose constituents are healthy, happy, independent, contributing adults.

Mission

To improve life chances for children and young people at risk of, and experiencing, mental health problems and emotional difficulties. To achieve better outcomes for parents and families who engage with children's mental health services. To promote the good mental health and well being of all children.

Values

• Commitment to promoting children’s mental health.
• Commitment to promoting children’s mental health.
• Collaborative approaches to achieve shared goals with colleagues and partner agencies.
• Founded in evidence based research and practice
• Innovation, ‘think out of the box’ and entrepreneurial approach Independence and credibility

Implementation

YoungMinds delivers its vision, mission and values through being the leading national charity promoting mental health and emotional wellbeing and has five broad areas of impact:

• Production and distribution of educational and informative publications and magazine and website information for children, young people, parents and professionals.
  
• Free telephone helpline for parents and carers concerned about the behaviour or mental health of a child, along with a ‘call-back’ service by specialist adviser and e-mail support.
  
• Participation work with young people who have experienced mental health difficulties and services to promote their views to policy makers, ministers, practitioners and commissioners through our Young People’s Participation Panel (known as VIK; Very Important Kids) and our online forum ‘Healthy Heads’.
• Consultancy and Training Service providing bespoke strategic and staff development services across the UK to providers and commissioners of child and adolescent mental health services.
  
• Policy lobbying and campaign work to improve awareness and services for children and young people needing mental health support. Our unique position between children, parents and professionals means we listen to all views and can propose new effective solutions for change and improvement.