Time to Change responds to New Horizons report published today

Responding to New Horizons – a shared vision for mental health report published by the Department of Health today (7 December), Sue Baker, Director of Time to Change, England’s programme to end mental health discrimination, said:  

“Time to Change welcomes the new report, which recognises that mental wellbeing is relevant to all of us, and is as important as physical health. We're pleased to see that the government highlights the importance of addressing stigma and discrimination, something that we have known for some time is one of the biggest issues that people with mental health problems face.  

“It's also encouraging to see that the government recognises that this issue should be 'everyone's business', and that tackling mental health issues and the often devastating stigma and discrimination that surrounds them needs to be embedded across government and in all communities.

“Following the launch of its high profile campaign, Time to Change is seeing growing momentum around the movement to tackle discrimination, and the government's commitment to addressing the issue is a further sign that, as a society, we're moving in the right direction.

“However, whilst we are pleased that all government departments have a responsibility to this strategy, it is vital that we build upon this with government investment into a longer term plan ensuring the changes in public attitudes, and in the ability of people with mental health problems to lead full and active lives, are sustained."

Time to Change is England’s biggest and most ambitious programme to end mental health discrimination. The campaign is run by leading mental health charities Mind and Rethink, and backed by £16 million from the Big Lottery Fund [3] and £4 million from Comic Relief [4].

NOTES TO EDITORS:

1.Time to Change is England’s most ambitious programme to end the discrimination faced by people with mental health problems, and improve the nation’s wellbeing.  Mind and Rethink are leading the programme, funded with £16m from the Big Lottery Fund and £4m from Comic Relief, and evaluated by the Institute of Psychiatry at King’s College, London. For further information go to www.time-to-change.org.uk

2. Stigma Shout - service user and carer experiences of stigma and discrimination. Time to Change, 2008.

3. The Big Lottery Fund’s support for Time to Change comes from its £165m Well-being programme.  The Big Lottery Fund has been rolling out grants to health, education, environment and charitable causes across the UK since its inception in June 2004.  It was established by Parliament on 1 December 2006.  Full details of the work of the Big Lottery Fund, its programmes and awards are available on the website: www.biglotteryfund.org.uk Big Lottery Fund Press Office: 020 7211 1888  / Out of hours: 07867 500 572 Public Enquiries Line: 08454 102030 /
Textphone: 08456 021 659

4. Comic Relief is committed to supporting people living with mental health problems. The projects Comic Relief funds ensure people with mental health problems get their voices heard in the decisions that affect their lives and to get the help they need to recover. Comic Relief also helps people to promote their rights and reduce the stigma and discrimination they face so that they feel more included in society.  The £4 million grant to Time to Change is part of Comic Relief's long standing commitment to this issue. For more information go to www.comicrelief.com