For the first time ever in England, there is clear evidence that generations of entrenched stigma and prejudice relating to mental health are beginning to be overturned in some areas.
Watching the media coverage of the horrific loss of life at Newtown’s Sandy Hook elementary school left me stunned and deeply saddened, and thinking about the difficult journey of grieving that these families will face at this time of year, and for many years to come.
It is hard to find any words of solace or comfort, apart from hoping that their emotional pain will ease, even if it never leaves them.
We’ve seen it many times, when one person stands up to speak about their mental health problems, in order to do their bit to challenge the stigma and discrimination that still plagues us, then others will follow.