About the campaign

In January 2009, we launched a groundbreaking campaign across England to challenge attitudes and change behaviour around mental health problems. This included national advertising on TV, in the press and magazines, online and in pubs. Since then we have had a second burst of advertising activity during July and August, including the launch of two new online films, as well as taking the anti-stigma message out on the roadduring September and October visiting towns and cities across England with our Roadshow.

Campaign launch results - find out what happened

Summer campaign activity - find out what we did

Summer campaign results - find out how successful it was

Roadshow - find out where we visited and how it went

Take a look at our advertising

View the online films

Why we're here 

The impact of prejudice, ignorance and fear around mental health can be devastating for people, families, communities and society. Stigma may prevent people seeking help when they need it. It stops people with ability getting the jobs they are qualified to do. It can stop people building new friendships and mean they lose existing ones. It can mean that everyday activities that you might take for granted, like going to the pub, shops or gym are impossible.

One in four adults experience mental health problems in any one year. 1 in 50 experience more severe mental health problems. Millions of people across England live in the shadow of one of the last great taboos - mental health problems. This is the social justice issue the 21st century.

Our main campaign messages are:

• 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.
• 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.
• 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.

Find out how we developed our campaign and what you can do to help.