‘Pull yourself together’ has topped the cliché chart in a new poll, commissioned by Time to Change, England’s biggest mental health anti-stigma programme run by the charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, which explores unhelpful comments that people face when they talk openly to someone about their mental illness.
Many people with a mental health problem say stigma is one of the hardest parts of the illness, and often worse than the symptoms themselves (1). It can lead to loss of friendships, feeling isolated, not seeking the help they need and sadly, a slower recovery process. These common clichés can make it even harder for people to speak out.
The poll also revealed that; ‘there are people out there much worse off than you’; and; ‘snap out of it’ were other expressions used frequently.
Due to the myths that still surround mental health problems, starting a conversation about it can often feel awkward. However, talking and being open about mental health can help to break down the stigma and discrimination that many people face every day.
To show that mental health doesn’t have to be a scary subject, the latest campaign ‘It’s time to talk. It’s time to change’, has launched a new viral film with tips on how to start a conversation about mental health.
The new short video features Time to Change activists with experience of mental health problems giving their advice on the best ways of making the conversation easier. One supporter in particular talks about avoiding these types of clichés.
People with a mental health problem say that listening, being open minded and non-judgemental about their experiences are the most important factors for them (2).
Sue Baker, Director of Time to Change, said: “Starting a conversation about mental health can sometimes feel daunting. Our aim is to take the awkwardness away from it and enable both people with a mental health problem and those without to talk about it openly and honestly. The more we’re all able to have a conversation about mental health, the more we will remove the stigma and discrimination that still affects so many of us living with a mental health problem.”
Shea Wong, Time to Change supporter who appeared in the video, said: “We all have situations where we’re lost for words and certain clichés seem the best way of comforting someone. The tips we’ve shared in this short film will hopefully encourage people to talk and be more open with colleagues, friends and family who might be experiencing a mental health problem.”
For tips on how to start your conversation about mental health go to - http://youtu.be/FGiqn5MK1TY
Join the movement and make a pledge to help end mental health stigma at www.time-to-change.org.uk.
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For more information please contact Larissa Abl, Time to Change Senior Press Officer, on [email protected] or 0207 840 3137
Follow Larissa on Google+.
Notes to Editors
(1) Time to Change (TTC) survey, September 2011. The survey was conducted online using SurveyMonkey. The survey was online from 9 September until 28 September 2011 and was completed by a total of 2,770 people across the UK. A link to the survey was distributed widely via TTC Facebook fans, on the TTC website, and via the networks of the mental health charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness.
(2)Time to Change survey, May 2012. The survey was conducted online using SurveyMonkey. The survey was online from May 17th to 22nd May 2012 and was completed by a total of 1845 Time to Change supporters across the UK who have experienced a mental health problem. A link to the survey was distributed widely via TTC Facebook fans, on Twitter and on the TTC website.
Time to Change
Time to Change is England's most ambitious programme to end the stigma and discrimination faced by people with mental health problems. The programme is run by the charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, and funded by the Department of Health and Comic Relief. For more information go to www.time-to-change.org.uk
Department of Health
On 2 February 2011 the Department of Health launched No health without mental health, a cross-government mental health outcomes strategy for people of all ages which has the twin aims of keeping people well and improving their mental health and, when people are not well, improving their outcomes through high-quality services.
The strategy is based on six shared objectives, developed with partners from across the mental health sector, and focuses on ‘Recovery’ and the reduction of stigma and discrimination as overarching themes.
To help deliver the objective to reduce the stigma faced by people with mental health problems, in 2011 the Department agreed to support Time to Change, the anti-stigma campaign run by the charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness. The Department of Health is providing the campaign with up to £16 million of funding together with a further £4 million from Comic Relief. This funding will help Time to Change continue their work until March 2015.
Comic Relief
Comic Relief is committed to supporting people living with mental health problems. The projects Comic Relief funds ensure people with mental health problems get their voices heard in the decisions that affect their lives and get the help they need to recover. Comic Relief also helps people to promote their rights and reduce the stigma and discrimination they face so that they feel more included in society. The £4 million grant to Time to Change is the second time the charity has awarded Time to Change its largest UK grant and is part of Comic Relief's long standing commitment to this issue. For more information go to www.comicrelief.com