The ‘It’s time to talk. It’s Time to Change' roadshow is hitting the streets of Nottingham on Saturday 6 August and local residents are invited to come along to the Riverside Festival to help get the country talking about mental health. The roadshow is being hosted by Nottinghamshire Healthcare, the local provider of mental health, learning disability and community health services.
This summer, Time to Change, England’s biggest anti-stigma programme, led by charities Mind and Rethink, is touring the streets and festivals of England with a series of fun, colourful roadshows that address the fear and awkwardness people feel in talking about mental health problems.
The roadshow will see people from across Nottingham come together to challenge the stigma associated with mental illness and is one of hundreds of events taking place all over the country between June and October, with over 140,000 people expected to have a conversation about mental health.
Professor Mike Cooke CBE, Chief Executive of Nottinghamshire Healthcare said: “The Time to Change roadshow gives the people of Nottingham a chance to find out more about mental health by talking to someone with personal experience.
“Just a few small words can make a big difference to someone with a mental health problem and talking about mental health can help to break down stigma and discrimination.”
“This fantastic event at the Riverside Festival will bring together people who are otherwise unlikely to meet. We want to use this as an effective way of breaking down stigma and promoting an inclusive community.”
Sue Baker, Director of Time to Change, said: “We know that face-to-face contact with someone who has experienced a mental health problem, who can talk openly and confidently about it, is key to transforming our understanding and attitudes and we want to start conversations all over the country.
"Often a few small words like ‘How are you?’ or ‘Are you OK?’ can have a massive impact for someone with a mental health problem. If you see the roadshow in your town, be sure to go up and say hello and start your own conversation about mental health.”
Time to Change was launched in January 2009 with a national advertising campaign fronted by Stephen Fry, Ruby Wax and Alastair Campbell. This year, the campaign is supported by Frank Bruno and his daughter Rachel and includes the release of new TV, radio and online advertising.
For more information and updates visit www.facebook.com/timetochange, www.twitter.com/timetochange or www.time-to-change.org.uk
