Today, Health Minister, Alistair Burt will announce that Time to Change, the mental health anti-stigma programme run by the charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, will be launching a major national campaign this November to reduce mental health stigma among young people and parents.

Building on an existing programme of work with young people (14-18 year olds) and parents, the £660,000 investment from the Department of Health will see Time to Change deliver a national social marketing campaign and work alongside the charity Young Minds to deliver training in 30 schools across three areas in England.

1 in 10 children will experience a mental health problem, that’s about three children in every classroom. A survey has shown that 90% of those young people will experience stigma and discrimination as a result [1]. It also found that stigma prevents young people from doing the everyday activities that are part of teenage life: hanging out with friends (54%), and even stop them going to school (40%). Worryingly, 26% said negative reactions from others had made them want to give up on life.

The new social marketing campaign will target young people to raise awareness of mental health problems and the stigma that many face. It will also target parents, to make sure they feel equipped and have the confidence to speak with their children about mental health.

Sue Baker Director of Time to Change, said:

“With three children in every classroom experiencing mental health problems, and the latest ONS figures showing 1 in 8 children aged 10 to 15 reporting symptoms, we have to create a new era of openness and support. Young people have told us that stigma is life-limiting - it affects friendships and school life, and for a quarter it even makes them want to give up on life. This has to be the generation for change.

We have already seen significant attitude and behaviour change amongst adults in England, and we've seen positive results from the work we’ve been doing with children and young people and schools in recent years, but this campaign will drive new conversations across

England with 14-18 year olds and parents, through a high profile national campaign and an in-school programme which we will be delivering with Young Minds.

We know from our research that we'll need to work with both children and young people and their parents in order to help them have more open conversations at home, and our young champions will be delivering sessions in secondary schools as part of a whole a school approach.”

Nikki Mattocks, 18, from Croydon is a young champion for Time to Change. She said:

“I have been involved with Time to Change for years and have shared my story in lots of different ways to help break down the stigma and misunderstanding that surrounds mental health problems. We have come a long way, but I still find that I am discriminated against because of my mental illness and this needs to change. I hope that this new campaign will help everyone, especially young people, to talk more openly about mental health without being judged. It is truly incredible how much we can achieve just by talking.”

Health Minister, Alistair Burt, said:

"I am proud to announce the biggest transformation to young people’s mental health and one of the greatest investments the sector has seen.

“The largest ever national anti-stigma campaign for young people and their parents will launch next month. We will be working alongside Time to Change on a campaign specifically targeted on the places where young people spend their time online.”