Mental health workers in the region are asking people to join an inaugural awareness raising one mile walk this month named the ‘March March’ to stamp out mental health stigma - literally.
In support of Time to Change campaign, which is England’s most ambitious programme to end mental health prejudice, members of the public are being encouraged to talk more openly about mental health problems and join the region’s first ever March March to start a conversation.
The March March is running at the same time as the launch of Time to Change’s new campaign to get people talking about mental health - ‘It’s time to talk. It’s Time to Change.’ Whilst walking a mile walkers will talk to people who have experienced mental health problems and as well as other people taking part in the walk.
Three March Marches will take place across the region this month. The first will be held in Newcastle city centre on Tuesday 22 March where walkers will meet at the Civic Centre at 12noon and walk the one mile route ending at Times Square. At the end of the route walkers will be asked to make a pledge to help end mental health prejudice.
Two additional walks will be in Morpeth on Thursday 24 March, starting at the market square at 12noon, through Carlisle Park and back again and Darlington on Monday 28 March where participants will meet at the clock tower in the town centre at 12noon and walk through South Park.
Neil Johnson, public mental health lead for the North East Mental Health Development Unit said: “We are asking people to join one of our one-mile awareness raising walks this March, to walk the walk, and talk the talk to help stamp out stigma. Walkers will also be encouraged to talk to service users and passers by about mental health issues.
“We know that social contact with other people and physical activity by taking in some fresh air can make a big difference to improving people’s general mental health, so the one mile March March should help us to spread the word about how to maintain positive wellbeing.”
One in four people in England are likely to experience a mental illness in their lives and Time to Change aims to break down stigma by getting people talking about mental health – whether that’s their own experiences or keeping in touch with family, friends and colleagues affected.
During the March March the campaign team will ask members of the public to join thousands of others across England in making a pledge to help end mental health prejudice. Celebrities who have already got involved in the North East include TV’s agony aunt Denise Robertson and ex-Sunderland FC footballers Jim Montgomery and Gary Bennett.
The March March is open to anyone to join in - general public, both people affected by mental health problems and people haven’t, local celebrities, NHS staff , and local employers in the voluntary and community sector.
Time to Change director Sue Baker said: “The March March will bring together the most important elements around mental health – physical activity, which we all know is fantastic for mental wellbeing, and conversations about mental health, which we know goes a long way to ending stigma and discrimination.
“Often a few small words can make a big difference to someone with a mental health problem, so a simple ‘How are you?’ or ‘Are you OK?’ can have a massive impact for someone with a mental health problem. If you see the March Marchers in your town be sure to go up and say hello and start your own conversation about mental health.”
To join the one mile March March walk please register your interest by emailing [email protected]
ENDS