Sue Baker, Director of Time to Change, the anti-stigma movement led by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, said:

“A report released today from the World Health Organisation states that depression is now the leading cause of ill health and disability worldwide, which surpasses their previous estimate that it would achieve second position by 2020.

 “Two thirds of our supporters with mental health problems said that stigma is just as harmful, or more harmful than the symptoms of a mental health problem itself. Right now, 300 million people are living with depression worldwide. This means yet more people are at risk of being judged and isolated because of their mental health.

 “With the right support, those of us with mental health problems can recover and have equal opportunities in all areas of life. In England we have worked hard to combat mental health stigma over the last ten years, with thousands of organisations and individuals taking action, but we are acutely aware that more could be done at a global level with anti-stigma programmes that can be adapted to different cultures and social norms.

 “The theme of talking about mental health more has helped us drive change in England, and is a good theme for the WHO day on 7th April, but we also know from our own research and others, that we have to take a new different approach to men who won’t talk about mental health or seek help; that’s why we have just released our new #inyourcorner campaign aimed primarily at men.”