Meeting for Minds

Meeting for Minds is a not-for-profit organisation dedicated to transforming mental health research by placing people with lived experience of mental illness at the heart of scientific inquiry. Founded in 2014 by Maria Halphen, Susie Hincks, and Keith Wilson, our mission is to improve the lives of those living with serious mental illness through collaborative brain research that is inclusive, respectful, and stigma-free.

We believe that meaningful progress in understanding the brain and human behaviour requires the active involvement of those most affected. Our purpose is to foster dialogue between researchers and people with lived experience of mental illness, creating communities of trust and shared knowledge. Our values centre on empathy, transparency, and co-creation.

Meeting for Minds addresses the disconnect between traditional research and the real-world needs of people with mental illness. We are uniquely placed to do this work through our international networks, our lived experience-led approach, and our commitment to reshaping research culture.

Our current priorities include expanding our Pub Yarns initiative—community events that break stigma through storytelling—supporting co-designed research projects, and growing our international partnerships. Funding will enable us to scale these programs, train more lived experience collaborators, and deepen our impact.

We have already seen powerful outcomes: new research directions inspired by lived experience, stronger community engagement, and growing recognition of our model as a blueprint for inclusive research.

Meeting for Minds is auspiced by the Philippe & Maria Halphen Foundation, under the French Academy of Science.

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