OpenMind
OpenMind is a non-profit organisation dedicated to supporting the mental health and psychological well-being of children and adolescents. The organisation provides therapeutic services to young people experiencing emotional, behavioural, developmental, or psychological difficulties, particularly those who face barriers in accessing appropriate care.
OpenMind works through a multidisciplinary, child-centred approach, offering individual, group, and family-based interventions. Services are delivered by qualified professionals and adapted to the specific needs of each child, with a strong emphasis on early intervention, continuity of care, and respect for the child’s emotional and developmental pace.
Beyond direct therapeutic support, OpenMind collaborates with families, professionals, and partner organisations to strengthen protective factors around the child and promote long-term psychological well-being. The organisation also contributes to awareness-raising efforts aimed at reducing stigma related to mental health and improving understanding of children’s psychological needs.
Accreditation Number with the National Social Inclusion: 11603
- Individual Therapy Psychological and therapeutic support tailored to the emotional, behavioural, and developmental needs of each child or adolescent.
- Group Therapy Structured group sessions designed to support emotional expression, social skills development, and peer interaction in a safe and therapeutic setting.
- Family Support and Family Therapy Therapeutic guidance and support for parents and caregivers, recognising the essential role of the family in the child’s well-being and recovery.
- Child Psychiatry Services Psychiatric assessments, follow-up, and specialised interventions for children and adolescents requiring medical and clinical psychiatric support.
- Speech and Language Therapy Support for children experiencing communication, language, or learning-related difficulties, when available.
- Psychomotricity and Developmental Support Therapeutic interventions focusing on body awareness, motor skills, emotional regulation, and overall development.
- Alternative and Creative Therapies The use of therapeutic mediators such as art therapy, horticultural therapy, and ecotherapy to support emotional expression, self-regulation, and psychological well-being.
OpenMind was founded in 2010 by Marylène François following an alarming observation of the lack of accessible, professional mental health care services. From its very beginning, the organisation was created to respond to this gap through both professional and innovative therapeutic approaches. In addition to conventional psychological support, OpenMind has always placed strong emphasis on alternative and experiential forms of therapy.
The organisation integrated various therapeutic mediators such as art therapy, horticultural therapy, and ecotherapy, recognising their value in helping children and adolescents express emotions, regulate behaviour, and reconnect with themselves in a safe and supportive environment.
Over the years, OpenMind has continued to develop a child-centred and multidisciplinary approach, combining clinical expertise with creative and nature-based interventions. This holistic vision has remained at the core of the organisation’s identity, ensuring that mental health support is accessible, respectful, and adapted to the diverse needs of each child.
- To provide individual, group, and family therapeutic support to children and adolescents in psychological distress
- To ensure early identification and intervention for mental health difficulties
- To offer specialised services through a multidisciplinary team (psychology, psychiatry, speech therapy, psychomotricity, etc.)
- To support families by involving them in the therapeutic process and strengthening parenting capacities
- To raise awareness about children’s mental health and reduce stigma surrounding psychological difficulties
Vision
- To live in a society where every child and adolescent has access to appropriate mental health support, feels understood and supported, and is given the opportunity to develop their full emotional and psychological potential.
Mission
- To provide accessible, high-quality psychological and therapeutic support to children and adolescents experiencing emotional, behavioural, or psychological difficulties.
- Through a multidisciplinary and child-centred approach, we aim to support mental health, promote emotional well-being, and strengthen protective factors within families and communities.
- Established a specialised mental health centre providing accessible therapeutic services for children and adolescents since 2010.
- Developed and implemented a multidisciplinary, child-centred approach combining clinical care with alternative therapeutic mediators such as art therapy, horticultural therapy, and ecotherapy.
- Provided continuous psychological, psychiatric, and therapeutic support to a large number of children and families who otherwise faced significant barriers to accessing mental health care.
- Strengthened family involvement in the therapeutic process, recognising families as key partners in children’s psychological well-being.
- Built a network of qualified professionals and partner organisations to ensure quality, continuity, and ethical standards of care.
- Contributed to increased awareness and reduced stigma surrounding children’s mental health through community and awareness-raising activities.
- Maintained and sustained services despite administrative, financial, and operational challenges, demonstrating organisational resilience and long-term commitment to child and adolescent mental health.
- National Social Inclusion Fund (NSIF) – supporting specific projects and operational costs.
- Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) Contributions – partnerships with private companies contributing to the organisation’s programs and initiatives.
- Individual Donations – contributions from private donors who support the mission of improving children’s mental health and well-being.