Tackling mental health stigma
Where we are now
We know that tackling stigma is a priority of people with lived experience of mental health problems, with a 2019 survey finding that it was the second highest priority after the quality of services. We also know that Time to Change, the anti-stigma campaign delivered by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, saw a significant change in attitudes towards mental illness. Between 2008 and 2021, attitudes improved in over 5 million adults in England.
But evidence is starting to emerge that there may be a “hierarchy” within mental health stigma. There's more acceptance of experiences of depression and anxiety now. Yet, there’s still stigma around experiences of other mental illnesses. Mind’s vision is for everyone experiencing a mental health problem to get both the support and respect they deserve. This is impossible if some mental health problems remain misunderstood and those experiencing them continue to be shunned.
What we’re doing about it
Sign up to our re-launched anti-stigma and lived experience newsletter to hear more about anti-stigma activity at Mind, in communities and by people with lived experience of mental health problems. This is a monthly newsletter for people with direct and indirect lived experience of mental health problems and those interested in challenging mental health stigma, with over 4500 subscribers. Shaped by people with lived experience, it focuses on anti-stigma activity, opportunities to shape our work and promotes a variety of different lived experience stories.
We’ll continue to speak up when stigmatising language is used. And when media portrayals of mental health problems are outdated, offensive, or inaccurate. We'll also continue to deliver Time to Change Wales thanks to generous funding from Welsh Government, with a focus on those from racialised communities and those facing poverty.
Anti-stigma resources and campaigns
Time to Talk Day 2025
The nation's biggest mental health conversation, Time to Talk Day encourages everyone to be more open about how they're feeling.
World Mental Health Day 2024
World Mental Health Day is on 10 October 2024. It's a day to raise awareness of mental health problems.
Time to Change Wales
Time to Change Wales is the first national campaign to end the stigma and discrimination faced by people with mental health problems.
Mental health stigma and misconceptions
We've got some tips on how to deal with mental health stigma.
Stigma and OCD
Learn about the different stereotypes and stigma around obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).
Behind the Song
In this series of videos, musicians challenge stigma by talking about the feelings that have inspired their songs.
