A CAMPAIGN urging people to start talking about mental health has been backed in Huddersfield.
Time to Change is England’s most ambitious programme to end the stigma and discrimination surrounding the illness.
The scheme is being supported by the South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, which provides specialist mental health and learning disability services to people in Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield.
It campaigns locally to reduce the stigma that people with mental health problems face in their day-to-day lives.
The new phase of the scheme is called It’s Time to Talk and encourages people to talk about their own mental health or talk to someone they know with the illness.
The campaign will feature advertising across the country aimed at breaking down the fear and awkwardness people feel in talking about mental health.
The Trust is encouraging people who have used mental health services to share stories.
Trust chief executive Steven Michael said: “Nearly 11,000 people in our region have already shown their support for mental health services by becoming a member of our Trust showing there is a real passion locally for stopping the stigma.
“Often the fact that it’s difficult to talk about mental health problems can be one of the hardest parts of having a mental illness. It can lead to the loss of friendships, feeling isolated, not seeking help and slower recovery.”
To share stories see the Trust’s website www.southwestyorkshire.nhs.uk
