News
It’s time to ‘Stamp out Stigma’
“Sticks and Stones may break my bones but words will also hurt me” – that’s the hard-hitting message of a brand-new anti-stigma campaign launched by local specialist mental health and learning disabilities services provider 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, with the backing of comedian Stephen Fry.
The need for the campaign was highlighted when service users told the Trust that the use of words such as ‘nutter’, ‘loony’ and ‘weirdo’ is commonplace – something that leaves them feeling unhappy and misunderstood.
This was reinforced when the Trust set-up a Big-Brother-style booth in a busy local shopping centre and asked people to talk about their views on mental ill health and learning disabilities on camera.
“The footage was shocking,” says Simon Barber, Chief Executive. “We want to educate the public about the realities of mental health problems and learning disabilities and to ask them to make a pledge not to use words that can hurt, offend and stigmatise people suffering from these complex and often distressing conditions.
“By signing our petition, people can actively show that there is no place for stigma and discrimination in Merseyside.”
QI presenter Stephen Fry gave his backing to the campaign in advance of its launch in April. He has had a well-publicised battle with Bipolar Disorder. Other high profile figures to pledge their support include Everton team captain Phil Neville, actor Michael Sheen, Labour party leader candidate Andy Burnham and Tony Blair’s former press chief Alastair Campbell as well as local rugby clubs including Warrington Wolves, Wigan Warriors and St Helens ‘Saints’.
To pledge your support to the ‘Sticks and Stones’ campaign, please visit www.stampoutstigma.co.uk
Notes:
The 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust provide treatment, support and guidance for people affected by mental ill health and learning disabilities.
They help people of all ages, living in the boroughs of Halton, Knowsley, St Helens, Warrington and Wigan, and offer day care, in-patient care and community services.