MYTH : mental health problems are rare
FACT : mental health problems affect 1 in 4 people
It is time to end the stigma and discrimination felt by people who experience mental health problems. The stigma associated with mental health problems is highly damaging to individuals and society. It is often the greatest barrier to recovery and general quality of life. Action is needed to raise awareness and understanding about mental health problems.
Stigma and discrimination can:
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Isolate people
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Exclude people from day-to-day activities
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Stop people getting and keeping jobs
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Prevent people seeking help
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Have a negative impact on physical health
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Delay treatment and impair recovery
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Affect the carers as well as the person experiencing mental health problems
The national Time To Change Campaign was launched in January 2009. Time to Change is England's most ambitious programme to end discrimination faced by people who experience mental health problems. For further information go to www.time-to-change.org.uk
It's Time to Talk Roadshow: Summer 2011
As part of the national Time to Talk Roadshow. we were pleased and excited to be chosen as one of the sites to host the roadshow on Thursday 22 September. The purpose of the roadshow was to get people talking about mental health as part of the new, "It's Time to Talk, it's Time to Change" campaign. We were there to highlight that people need to get past the fear and awkwardness of talking about mental illness and be more open about mental health if we are going to break down stigma and take the taboo out of something which affects us all.
A specially designed Roadshow was created, with free tea and coffee available to help people feel relaxed and take advantage of the sofas and living-room atmosphere provided. Volunteers from across local agencies involved in mental health services, together with people who had experienced mental health problems, staffed the stand and talked to people about why we need to end stigma around mental health. Information about local services was also on hand if required. 866 conversations (of more than five minutes) were recorded throughout the day. Well done to everyone involved.
The Somerset Time To Change Sofa Tour
This activity was developed to support the national Time To Change Campaign.
The aim of the tour was to raise awareness and inspire people to work together to end the discrimination surrounding mental health
The Somerset Tour was organised by a steering group called ‘1 in 4’ which is made up of service users and staff from mental health services ( MIND, Rethink, Involve, Carers Network, Open-Up, Somerset Partnership) and Public Health, NHS Somerset. Funding for the campign was through the Public Health Department, NHS Somerset. The campaign was linked to the actions agreed within the Somerset Mental Health Promotion Strategy. The Tour worked alongside the national campaign, using the same materials and with the same messages.
Our main campaign messages were:
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Mental illness is one of our last taboos
People affected by mental health problems experience stigma and discrimination. Shame and stigma wrecks lives - it stops people getting help, getting back to work and getting on with life.
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Mental illness is far more common than you think
Mental illness can happen to anyone and it's common; 1 in 4 people will experience a mental health problem at some point.
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There is something you can do to help
You can do something. Don't cut someone with mental health problems out of your life - be there for them and don't write them off.
The Sofa Tour took place from June 30th – July 10th 2009. The Tour consisted of taking a sofa and trailer around to 8 different town centres throughout Somerset and setting up the stall, with the aim of engaging with as many people as possible about the campaign. It could also be seen as a ‘Get Talking’ event. By bringing people together with and without experience of mental health problems in a central, public location, you start the debate.
Quotes from volunteers on the tour
"Really interesting day and a great idea – the sofa made people stop and ask for information. T-shirts were a good idea – I spoke to approx 150 people."
"I was very nervous about possible abuse from members of the public but most people took leaflets without any problems and 2 or 3 did stop to chat quite comfortably. i am pleased to have done this. It has been a boost to me personally and I enjoyed meeting and listening to some of the other volunteers."
"Never done anything like this before and have really enjoyed it...was pleasantly surprised by the willingness of people to talk..."
"Some people as soon as they read the word ‘’mental’’ on my t-shirt they looked away."
"I managed to get several people to come to the sofa and they were very grateful for more information and a cold drink."
"Most people were receptive and openly admitted that they probably did discriminate and knew it was wrong. Some people felt like their GP didn’t listen to them and didn’t know where to go for help."
"The overall view of people I talked to was the need for more understanding and they liked the opportunity to voice their opinions…many people did not know what is available for support and the promotion answered many of their questions."
"Lots of good positive feedback. Once you made eye contact, I felt people began to off load. I felt I had made some good contact. I have sign-posted people. I felt good about the campaign."
For further information about the Somerset campaign please contact:
Louise Finnis, Health Promotion Manager – Mental Health, Public Health Department, NHS Somerset.
Email: louise.finnis@somerset.nhs.uk
