Celebrities line up to support Time to Change Wales

Posted Thursday 8 March 2012

Welsh actors Michael Sheen and Paul Whitehouse have given their backing to the new anti-stigma campaign.

Time to Change Wales is the first national campaign to end the stigma and discrimination faced by people with mental health problems throughout Wales. Taking its lead from the successful Time to Change campaign that has been running in England, Time to Change Wales aims to achieve a 5% reduction in reported stigma and discrimination over the next three years. 

Pledging his support for the campaign, Hollywood actor Michael Sheen said: 

For far too long, mental illness has been a subject people have been afraid to discuss. It is high time that we address this by breaking down the myths and stigma surrounding mental health issues and start talking openly.

Too often we think of mental health problems as something that only happens to other people. The truth is that anyone can be affected by mental illness and the chances are that you already know someone who has been. That means we all have a reason to challenge mental health stigma and discrimination, which is why I am backing Time to Change Wales.

Fast Show star Paul Whitehouse added:

Mental health problems are very common. Most people in Wales will either experience some form of mental illness, or have a friend, colleague or family member who does. Yet many people find it difficult to talk openly about mental health because of the stigma surrounding these issues. That makes it more difficult to get help, more difficult to recover and more difficult to live life to the full.

We can all do something to help end stigma and discrimination. Supporting Time to Change Wales and talking about mental health is a great start.

Time to Change Wales was launched last month by Health and Social Services Minister Lesley Griffiths AM. It is being delivered by Wales’ leading mental health charities Gofal, Hafal and Mind Cymru, and is funded by Big Lottery Fund, Comic Relief and the Welsh Government.

To find out more, head to the Time to Change Wales website.

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