Strength in Community: Supporting Mental Health in the Duchenne Space
- Michael McGrath MBE
- 3 hours ago
- 3 min read
With the theme of 'Community' at the heart of this week’s Mental Health Awareness Week, I am acutely aware that 1 in 5 young people (aged 8–25yrs) have a probable mental health disorder (Source: NHS England 2023). In my mind, supporting the mental health of young people is essential to their safety, their development and their wellbeing. While negative experiences can significantly harm a child or young person’s wellbeing, here at the Muscle Help Foundation charity, we know that positive experiences (like ‘Muscle Dream’ interventions) can play a powerful and compelling role in strengthening and supporting it. Prioritising mental health and promoting wellbeing must be at the heart of efforts to help children and young people thrive.
The Mental Health Crisis Among Young People
When you add a disability like Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy (DMD) representing >96% of the Muscle Help Foundation (MHF) charity’s primary beneficiary group or indeed any other MD variant into the mix, sprinkle in the ongoing economic challenges, the costs of food, fuel and energy, the schooling pressures and social expectations on today’s young people, the lingering effects of COVID-19, plus the increasingly uncertain and chaotic world that we live in today, you have a toxic cocktail of ingredients that likely contribute to the rising numbers of vulnerable young people experiencing poor mental health, and by default, their families.
Spotlighting Project Chrysalis
Now, more than ever, supporting children and young people’s (CYP) mental health is crucial, not least taking into consideration some of the outcomes from our charity’s Feb 2025 Stakeholder Survey (we hear you) and with an eye on MHF's new mission (currently being finessed) and MHF’s desire for partnership and collaborative working that includes signposting, I am delighted to shine a spotlight on the important work of Harrison's Fund, the first charity in the Duchenne space that’s focusing its efforts on mental health.
Last month (April), I met with Alex Smith (CEO & founder) whose son Harrison was diagnosed with DMD in 2011; Harrison was the catalyst for Alex to start a Duchenne medical research charity. It was at that meeting that I listened and learned about Project Chrysalis. In a nutshell, Harrison's Fund is committed to providing ‘Chrysalis’ Grants of up to £1,000, enabling individuals to access private neuromuscular expert clinical psychology sessions. Alex spoke passionately, from an informed position, about the evidence-based impact that a Chrysalis Grant can have on a family.
A Call to Duchenne Families: Reach Out
With Mental Heath Awareness Week forefront of mind, MHF wants to play its part in helping to promote the benefits of Project Chrysalis that put simply, offers a personalised support initiative that’s clearly making a meaningful difference to those families living with Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. Here at MHF, we can see how this key initiative can really help families and so, with confidence and in supporting our community of Muscle Warrior families across the UK (especially those living with a DMD diagnosis), this post is the first of several over the coming months that I hope will not only shine a spotlight on Project Chrysalis but also encourage those vulnerable DMD families in our community to reach out, learn more and if appropriate, apply for a grant.
If you think Project Chrysalis might help you, get in touch with Maxine Foster (Chrysalis Grants & Fundraising Manager) at Harrison’s Fund: max@harrisonsfund.com
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