The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge released a video message thanking everyone who has been part of Time to Change’s campaign to end mental health stigma. Prince William and Catherine celebrated the work of mental health programme Time to Change which is ending after 15 years of campaigning.
Speaking in the video, The Duke of Cambridge said, “We wanted to say a big thank you to everyone who has shared their experiences and taken action through Time to Change, helping to challenge the stigma which surrounds mental health. Over the past 15 years, Time to Change champions have inspired and supported thousands of people across the country, and mental health has now, at last, moved into the mainstream as part of our daily lives.”
Movements like Time to Change have helped to transform attitudes and encouraged more openness about mental health in schools, communities and the workplace. – The Duchess of Cambridge.
The ‘Time to Change’ was set up in 2006 by the charities Mind, Mental Health Media, Rethink Mental Illness and the IOPPN, King’s College London in response to people reporting that the attitudes and behaviours of others towards them could be as difficult, if not more difficult, to deal with than the mental health problem itself. The campaign initially received funding from Comic Relief and the National Lottery Community Fund, with the Department of Health and Social Care also contributing from 2011 onwards.
Since Time to Change launched, 5.4 million people have improved attitudes towards those of us living with mental health problems. Not only that, research shows people’s willingness to live, work and continue a relationship with someone experiencing a mental health problem has also increased by 11.6%. The success of the Time to Change campaign is thanks to the thousands of people and organisations who have joined the movement over the last 15 years; over 7,500 champions with experience of mental health problems, 1,500 employers, 3,000 secondary schools and a network of 50 regional Time to Change Hubs.
Jo Loughran, Director of Time to Change said, “As the Time to Change campaign in England comes to a close, we want to thank each and every person who has joined our movement to change the way we think and act about mental health over almost 15 years. No matter how big or small, every contribution has mattered; every conversation on Time to Talk Day, every champion who’s spoken about their experiences in their communities, to colleagues or fellow pupils, every post shared on social media, every employer who’s signed the pledge. Together, we’ve brought mental health problems out of the shadows. We’ve stood up for the 1 in 4 of us who experience mental health problems each year and made it more acceptable to speak up, challenge stigma and discrimination, and seek help. And for that we should all be immensely proud.”
After 15 years, the charity is shutting down on March 31 this year, as the Government funding has been stopped. About the closure, Charity said, “At the beginning of November we received written confirmation from the Government of its decision to stop funding Time to Change. We were very disappointed that the letter did not outline the Government’s plans to address mental health stigma and discrimination into the future.“
For the video, The Duchess of Cambridge was wearing a black turtleneck that still remains UFO.
Catherine paired the outfit with her Orelia London Chain Huggie Hoop Earrings.
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Prince George and Princess Charlotte’s Spring term is beginning from March 26th and it will last until April 20th. I believe the Cambridge family will be moving back to Anmer Hall as the family usually spends the vacation on the countryside.
