Adrian Sanders MP Pledges his Support for Biggest Ever National Campaign to End Mental Health Discrimination

Torbay MP, Adrian Sanders, is one of a string of politicians and celebrities to pledge support for a brand new national campaign to smash the taboo that still exists around mental health problems. He joins the Prime Minister, Conservative leader David Cameron, Liberal Democrat leader Nick Clegg and celebrities such as Stephen Fry and Ruby Wax in his support for the groundbreaking campaign.
Mr Sanders met with campaigners and people who have used mental health services to pledge his support for the campaign in the Houses of Parliament on Wednesday 21st January.

Time to Change is England's most ambitious programme to end the discrimination faced by people with mental health problems, and improve the nation's wellbeing. It is led by charities Mental Health Media, Mind and Rethink and backed up with £16 million from the Big Lottery fund and £2 million from Comic Relief.

1 in 4 people will have a mental health problem at some time in their life, so it is an issue that affectes everyone. Yet almost 90% of people going through it say they are still affected by massive social stigma. Being told to ‘pull yourself together’ , being left out of things all the time and shunned by employers can create a sense of dispair – often worse than the illness itself. Time to Change aims to change attitudes and end mental health discrimination.

The straight-talking campaign runs for 4 weeks from 21st January and includes:

• TV ad
• Celebrity press ads featuring Stephen Fry, Ruby Wax and Alastair Campbell
• Bold stunts to grab public attention
• Real life stories from people all over the country

Mr Sanders says:

“ I am always surprised at the number of people with mental health care problems who approach me for help.”

Time to Change Director, Sue Baker says:

“Time and time again people with mental health problems say that other people's prejudice, fear and discrimination can have a worse impact than the problem itself. And yet mental health problems are a common experience in the 21st century. With 1 in 4 of us experiencing a mental health problem at some stage, this is an issue that affects all of us - whether it is directly or as a family member or friend. We've got to realise that stigma, discrimination, and outdated attitudes wreck lives. But it doesn't have to be this way - this is the beginning of a social movement that can change things for the better".