Retail brand TOMS gives 10 $10,000 grants to 10 mental health-focused organisations

In 2020, TOMS shared the milestone that it had impacted 100 million lives with its initiatives. It’s now focused on impacting the next 50 million lives by helping provide access to mental health resources. In celebration of World Mental Health Day on October 10, the company is giving 10 $10,000 grants to 10 different mental health-focused organisations around the world, as part of its TOMS 10×10 initiative.

The goal, according to the company, is to help fund access to resources for people to take the “first step” to better their mental health.

For 10×10, the TOMS Impact team identified organisations that have significant mental health programming and an established track record in providing tangible mental health resources. The 10 organisations receiving the TOMS 10×10 grants include The LightHouse Arabia in the UAE, AMAFE in Spain, Black Emotional and Mental Health Collective in the US, Fundación Origen in Mexico, Healthy Minds Alliance by Health360 in the US, Jack.org in Canada, The Maya Centre in the UK, MHI Mental Health Initiative in Germany, Team Tilia in Sweden, and Together for Children in Greece.

Amy Smith, TOMS’ chief strategy and impact officer, said: “The earlier a mental health challenge is identified, and the more quickly a person receives care, the more attainable recovery can be.  We have learned from our impact partners that one of the primary reasons people do not seek professional help is a lack of information and resources about where to start.

“Every single day we are committed to supporting people on their journey to better mental health, and every TOMS purchase supports this commitment by funding access to mental health resources for the millions of people who need them.  We created TOMS 10×10 in celebration of World Mental Health Day.  We are proud to give grants to these 10 organisations across the globe that support mental health programming on a local level.”

Regional retail conglomerate Apparel Group owns the franchise for TOMS in the UAE. Sima Ganwani Ved, founder and chairwoman – Apparel Group, said: “Apparel Group is always proud to support any efforts to help develop awareness and solutions surrounding mental health as it affects our self-esteem and physical wellbeing.”