The topic of mental health will be on the agenda at various Pride events this summer, with things kicking off at Blackpool Pride Festival (14-15 June). 

Blackpool will be the first of many Pride events that Time to Change will visit to get the conversation started about mental health.

A ‘Boudoir’ and cinema will pop up at various Pride Festivals across England, where volunteers with personal experience of mental health problems will be speaking to festival goers to challenge the stigma around mental health. Having a face to face conversation can be one of the most powerful ways to challenge negative stereotypes and can help to change attitudes amongst a community.

Evidence suggests that people from LGB&T communities have a higher risk of experiencing suicidal feelings, self-harm, drug or alcohol misuse and mental health problems such as depression and anxiety[i]. By starting the conversation amongst the LGB&T community at Pride events this summer, Time to Change hopes to end the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness.

Darren Bee, LGB&T equalities coordinator at Time to Change said:

“We’re really looking forward to getting out and about at lots of Pride events this summer. Mental health problems can be common in the LGB&T community and for those of us who have our own experience, discrimination can happen on two fronts. This is why it’s really important for us to be at these festivals."

“Following Blackpool Pride Festival this weekend Time to Change will be heading to various other Pride events to start the conversation about mental health all across the country.”

Time to Change will be at the following Pride events this summer:

Blackpool Pride – Saturday 14 and Sunday 15 June

Bristol Pride – Saturday 12 July

Newcastle Pride (with Pride in Mind) – Saturday 19 July

Norwich Pride – Saturday 26 July

Nottinghamshire Pride – Saturday 26 July

Trans*Pride Brighton – Saturday 26 July

Brighton Pride - Saturday 2 August (volunteering applications with Time to Change/MindOut for this Pride have now closed)

Manchester Pride – Saturday 23 and Sunday 24 August

Preston Pride – Saturday 27 September

Getting Involved

We're looking for local people to get involved in the Norwich, Manchester and Preston Prides. If you will be in the area on the dates listed, please email [email protected].

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