‘Time to Change’ starts conversations about mental health

The topic of mental health will be on the agenda at various Pride events this summer.

Time to Change, England’s biggest programme to challenge mental health stigma and discrimination have already visited Blackpool Pride and Bristol Pride last weekend to get the conversation started about mental health.

Evidence suggests that people from LGB&T communities have a higher risk of experiencing suicidal feelings, self-harm, drug or alcohol misuse and mental health problems such as depression and anxiety.

By starting the conversation amongst the LGB&T community at Pride events this summer, Time to Change hopes to end the stigma and discrimination associated with mental illness.

A ‘Boudoir’ and cinema will pop up at various Pride Festivals across England, where volunteers with personal experience of mental health problems will be speaking to festival goers to challenge the stigma around mental health. Having a face to face conversation can be one of the most powerful ways to challenge negative stereotypes and can help to change attitudes amongst a community.

Darren Bee, LGB&T equalities coordinator at Time to Change, said: “We’re really looking forward to getting out and about at lots of Pride events this summer. Mental health problems can be common in the LGB&T community and for those of us who have our own experience, discrimination can happen on two fronts. This is why it’s really important for us to be at these festivals.”

“After Blackpool and Bristol Pride Festivals ‘Time to Change’ will be heading to various other Pride events to start the conversation about mental health all across the country.”