Time to Change turns to TV to encourage mental health discussion
A TV campaign for social organisation Time to Change will roll out with the aim of persuading people to talk about mental health.
The ‘It’s time to talk. It’s Time to Change’ campaign, by Dare, will aim to rid general perceptions on mental health and normalise discussing it.
Based on evidence that the best way to change attitudes and behaviour is through social content, the campaign will be lead by a TV advert that will run for four weeks, and be supported by ambient media and social media activity. Content placed on YouTube will also allow viewers to select their own ending.
Also set to support the campaign will be local community projects, a national media campaign, legal test cases, training initiatives, and a network of grassroots activists who will aim to combat discrimination.
Sue Baker, director of Time to Change, said: “We know that face-to-face contact with someone who has experienced a mental health problem, who can talk openly and confidently about it, is key to transforming our understanding and attitudes and we want to start conversations happening all over the country.”
Baker added: “Often a few small words can make a big difference to someone with a mental health problem, so a simple ‘How are you?’ or ‘Are you OK?’ can have a massive impact for someone with a mental illness.”
TV activity for the campaign went to air last night.
A one mile walk also took place today in Newcastle to highlight the campaign, organised by O Communications.
The inaugural ‘March Mile’ will also raise awareness of mental health issues, conceived as one of many Springtime community events by O Communications as part of ‘Time to Talk’ and involved athlete Steve Cram MBE.