Participation and lived experience

Our work has always been rooted in people's real life experiences. 

The people most affected by our work will help to shape it. This will enable us to make better, fairer and more credible decisions because lived experience is consistently embedded in how our priorities are set, work is designed, and impact is understood. 

Four people sitting in a circle talking

Examples of participation in practice

MHF Young Leaders outside the office

MHF Young Leaders

The MHF Young Leaders project enables young people to shape our work across communication, policy, research and some strategic development.
Find out about Young Leaders
DEAP meeting

Diverse Experience Advisory Panel (DEAP)

DEAP brings together people from different communities and backgrounds to inform Scottish government policy to support better mental health.
Find out about DEAP

Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival

SMHAF is an annual celebration of the arts and mental health across Scotland, led by the Mental Health Foundation. It aims to provide a platform for everyone to create and share art inspired by mental health.

Find out about the festival
Scottish Mental Health Arts Festival logo