Michael Collins, Author at Centre for Mental Health

Media reporting is still reinforcing stigma around mental health

Posted on 16 Mar 2026 (16 Mar 2026)

Lisa McNally examines how a recent BBC article on fit notes reinforced harmful mental health stigma – and calls on media to do better.

Mental health support must adapt to meet neurodivergent children and young peoples’ needs

Our new briefing calls for mental health services to adapt to neurodivergent communication and sensory needs.

Strengths-based support for neurodivergent children and young people

This report explores how adapted, sensory-informed and play-based approaches can improve outcomes for neurodivergent children and young people.

Black mothers deserve more: why I founded the Motivational Mums Club

Posted on 10 Mar 2026 (10 Mar 2026)

Chrissy Brown shares how her own lived experience of the system failing Black mothers drove her to build a movement.

Behind the employment statistics: why early mental health support matters

Posted on 5 Mar 2026 (5 Mar 2026)

Zori looks behind the headlines and explores how mental health support can help young people to overcome barriers to employment, education and training.

Mental health services must act to reverse traumatic effects of racism, says new report

Racism not only causes trauma and mental illness but also prevents people from getting the right support for their mental health.

The difference we make: A reflection on strategic lived experience leadership

Posted on 27 Feb 2026

Alee Buckley reflects on how lived experience leadership at a strategic level moves beyond consultation towards quietly reshaping mental health systems from within.