Anti-discrimination

Take the Rethink Challenge and sign up to stamp out stigma

We believe that destroying the stigma that surrounds mental illness is a matter of national priority.

We also believe that it is the joint responsibility of the media, Government and the public to achieve this aim, by:

  • Portraying a more positive image of people with mental illness 
  •  Funding large-scale anti-stigma campaigns 
  •  Finding out the real facts about mental illness

Pledge to do YOUR bit to stamp out stigma

Northern Ireland anti-stigma campaign nominated for the Mental Health Media awards 2007

I've got schizophrenia poster for Northern Ireland campaign, man standing.
Northern Ireland anti-stigma campaign January 15th – February 12th

Trisha Goddard at the Mental Health Media Awards 2007Rethink was nominated for the Raising Public Awareness category for it's Northern Ireland Anti-Discrimination campaign.  Although we didn't win the judges praised the campaigns innovation and brilliant advertising. Find out more about the Mental Health Media Awards.

In Northern Ireland 52% of Rethink service users and carers identified the stigma that surrounds mental illness as the biggest obstacle they face when dealing with the illness.

Stigma damages people’s lives. It has very real human, social and economic costs. Stigma can prevent people seeking help when they need it. It can delay treatment and it can affect recovery. Stigma stops people with ability getting the jobs they are qualified to do and it can bar mental health service users from playing an active role in their community.

In March 2006 Rethink piloted an anti-stigma campaign in Norwich, England. This led to positive and measurable changes in public awareness of mental health problems and attitudes towards people living with mental illness. Then Rethink mounted a larger anti-stigma and mental health awareness campaign across Northern Ireland.

From Jan. 15th – Feb. 12th 2007 the campaign featured TV, outdoor and bus advertising combined with extensive PR, lots of local activities and events. An important feature of the campaign was the involvement of mental health service users and carers. A number of service users trained as media volunteers and shared their stories and experiences through the media.

Novel features of the campaign included the film festival Movies in Mind at the Queen’s Film Theatre, Belfast and a touring play Revolving Door performed by the HeARTh theatre company. There were also schools’ performances of films and the drama. Together with the BBC and the QFT Rethink launched a young film makers competition on the theme of emotional well being.