A silent struggle
Mental ill-health affects one in ten people at any given time, yet the majority of the world’s population can’t access specialist mental health support struggle in silence. With your donations, Comic Relief is working with partners to ensure that people experiencing mental health problems have access to appropriate help and can live free from stigma and discrimination.
We believe everyone has the right to quality mental health support where and when they need it.
Mental Health Statistics
One in four people will be affected by a mental health problem during their lives.
The World Health Organisation estimates that someone, somewhere takes their own life every 40 seconds.
Up to 85% of people in low and middle-income countries do not receive adequate treatment for mental health conditions.
Although progress has been made in the UK, mental health services are limited and demand significantly outweighs supply – even more so during the Covid-19 pandemic. And many people still encounter negative attitudes if they talk about having a mental health problem.
Improving access to mental health services and combating the stigma around mental health problems in the UK has been a priority for Comic Relief for over ten years. We are now also striving to achieve these same goals internationally, and raise the profile of the rights of people in low and middle-income countries living with mental health conditions.
Read their stories
Your donations make a very real difference to people in the UK and around the world. Read how people are changing their lives with your support.
Meet Ben
Ben started experiencing mental health issues in 2014. He sought help from the Nairobi-based Kamili Organisation, which offered support, counselling, and access to medication.
Meet Kate
After battling breast cancer while caring for her mother, Kate rebuilt her confidence through a rugby club with the Comic Relief-funded organisation School of Hard Knocks.
Meet James
When the first COVID-19 lockdown hit in March 2020, James lost his job and his relationship broke down. The School of Hard Knocks helped James out of a very dark place, giving him the opportunity to learn, rebuild his confidence and land his dream job.
See our other focus areas
See our other areas of focus - Mental Health Page
SAFE PLACE TO BE
1 in 5 people around the world don’t have a safe place to be. We make sure people find a safe place to call home. We also challenge negative attitudes to homelessness and migration.
SAFETY AND EQUALITY FOR WOMEN & GIRLS
Violence and abuse against women and girls is a global epidemic: it affects 1 in 3 women worldwide. We’re working towards a world where women and girls can fulfil their potential, and live free from violence, discrimination and fear.
CHILDREN SURVIVE & THRIVE
Every year, millions of children die before their fifth birthday. We help children survive – tackling hunger, disease and abuse. And we help them thrive, working to give them the best possible start in life so they can play, learn and grow up healthy and strong.