Together with Mellow, the mental health service provider, we are hosting the exciting Stereo-Hype 2013 festival on 25 and 26 January at Stratford Circus.

The two day festival of music, film, drama, comedy and wellbeing workshops will celebrate the strengths and achievements of African and Caribbean people living with mental health problems.

According to recent research, nine out of 10 people with mental health problems face stigma and discrimination as a result. The research also found that around two thirds of people questioned said that this stigma could be as bad as or worse than the symptoms of the illness itself and that it prevented them from talking about it or seeking help. Stereo-Hype aims to encourage black communities to talk openly about mental health and challenge prejudices that surround the issue.

Among those appearing at the festival will be Chelsea's first black footballer Paul Canoville and acclaimed boxer Herol ‘Bomber' Graham as part of the Black Men on the Couch workshops as well as award winning poet and writer Malika Booker.

Sue Baker, director of Time to Change, said: “By working with Mellow on this fun and engaging event which is already popular with the community, we hope to bring people with and without mental health problems together to get new conversations started about mental health. We know this really helps to tackle stigma and misunderstanding around communities and we the issue. Our work has a focus on African Caribbean hope this event will encourage more people with mental health problems from the community to get more actively involved with the campaign."