Tuesday 22 June 2010

It's Time to Change

Time to Change is a campaign hoping to raise awareness and acceptance of mental illness. Isn't it amazing that in such a developed culture as ours, mental illness still comes with stigma attached?
Many famous faces have joined the campaign, many telling their own story of what it's like to have a mental health issue. Talk show host Trisha Goddard gave an account that truly touched me, speaking of how when she was diagnosed with cancer sympathetic cards and letters came by the bucketload. When she was in rehabilitation for mentall illness, there was nothing.
I myself have been suffering with anxiety and depression for longer than I would care to think, and yet through some kind of fear and shame, I didn't go and speak to my GP until it had begun to take over my life.
My Mother also suffered from depression following the death of my stepfather, and she too delayed treatment. We live in a society where people still view people with mental health problems are still viewed by many ill informed people as 'crazy', 'nuts' and a whole plethora of other not very nice terms.
I whole heartedly support this campaign, and hope that you will join me in this.
The more people who understand mental illness, the less of a stigma will be attached.
And then people won't have to feel ashamed of a problem that they have no control over.
Frank Bruno supports Time to Change
Time to Change Ruby Wax MPU
Time to Change Stephen Fry MPU
Trisha Goddard supports Time to Change
Time to Change badge

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