Nottinghamshire Healthcare NHS Trust has signed a pledge to reduce the discrimination associated with mental ill health as part of a national anti-stigma campaign.
The county’s mental health and learning disability service provider’s Chief Executive Mike Cooke and Chair, Professor Clair Chilvers signed the pledge with the Director of the Time to Change programme, Sue Baker, in front of 300 people at the Trust’s annual staff recognition awards ceremony.
Professor Chilvers said: “We’re pledging to take action to reduce mental health discrimination. By joining forces with a national campaign such as Time to Change we hope to raise greater awareness of mental illness. Mental illness can happen to anyone at any time – one in four people will experience a mental health problem at some point in their life. We want people to know that they are not alone and that it is ok to talk about it.”
Nottinghamshire Healthcare is one of only two organisations in the country to have signed up to the Time to Change pledge so far. The national campaign, which was launched in January, is a coalition of mental health charities aiming to change people’s attitudes to mental health and stop stigma ruining lives. Sue Baker said: “I am delighted that Nottinghamshire Healthcare is joining us in the fight against stigma and I was honored to attend their staff awards recognising the hard work and dedication of people helping others experiencing mental health problems.”
On the night Sue, presented the Liam O’Neill Fighting Stigma Award; named after a colleague who worked tirelessly against stigma and who sadly died last year.
The impact of prejudice, ignorance and fear around mental illness can be devastating for people, families, communities and society. Stigma may prevent people seeking help when they need it. It can cause problems in the workplace, with friendships and can mean that everyday activities like going to the pub, shops or gym are impossible.
To find out more about Time to Change, visit www.time-to-change.org.uk/
