Mental health charity Sane gets The X Factor

The campaign aims to get more people talking about mental health online, in an attempt to break down the stigma that often stops people seeking and offering support, and centres around a #Glitch filter which represents how mental illness can leave people feeling disorientated and alienated. All social media users can join the campaign by applying the #Glitch filter to their profile pictures, and sharing supporting campaign films and imagery to encourage friends and followers to do the same.

RBH creative directors, Woody & Vinny, explained the thinking behind the campaign: “Mental illness is a sensitive subject. People are afraid to talk about it and, if they do, even close friends and family often don’t know how to react and sometimes keep their distance. Yet these are the people sufferers need support from the most. To show support people can simply apply the filter. This distorts your profile photo in the manner of a corrupted ‘glitch art’ file to show how disorienting and displacing mental illness can make people feel. We are delighted with the response to our campaign and it is great to see so many people showing their support.”

James Arthur, the face of the campaign, was catapulted to fame after winning the X-Factor in 2012 and his latest single, 'Say You Won’t Let Go' reached number one in the UK charts this weekend. Arthur has shared his own battles with mental illness to help others and used his slot on last night’s X Factor to encourage people to talk using the hashtag #Glitch.

Arthur, who lives with anxiety and depression, understands how important it is to encourage anyone affected by mental ill-health to seek the help they deserve, he said: “I could not be happier for the opportunity to work alongside Sane. Unfortunately, mental illness remains a taboo subject and having suffered with severe anxiety and depression myself, I desperately want to encourage people to see the immense power in speaking about whatever may be going on in their heads. I’d like to thank Sane for allowing me to lend a helping hand in hopefully reaching people with mental illness and helping them.”

Marjorie Wallace, chief executive of Sane, says: “Depression and anxiety don’t discriminate, and James’ status as a successful artist and household name reflects this only too well. We are full of admiration for his genuine desire to talk about his own experiences of mental distress at a time when stigma remains so prevalent. James will be working closely with Sane to help others speak out about just how debilitating mental illness can be, and the strength and courage it takes to live in its shadow. We know that by working together on this campaign, we’ll highlight how simple acts of support can make all the difference to so many suffering alone.”

Those interested in finding out more can visit Sane's website.