This in from the IW NHS Trust. Ed
A Paediatric Consultant from the Isle of Wight NHS Trust is among those welcoming a new national campaign to reduce the stigma of mental health among young people and parents.
Dr Emma Blake, who is based at St Mary’s Hospital, is a member of the Executive Committee of Paediatric Mental Health Association and was interviewed on BBC Radio Five Live, on behalf of the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health.
Time to Change campaign
The radio programme was broadcast following the announcement of a national social marketing campaign being launched by Time to Change, the mental health anti-stigma programme run by the charities Mind and Rethink Mental Illness.
The campaign, being launched in November, will target young people to raise awareness of mental health problems and the stigma many face, as well as helping parents feel equipped to have confidence to speak with their children about mental health.
Anxiety big problem in young people
Speaking on Five Live, Dr Blake said:
“I’m afraid there is still a stigma around mental health and the Royal College of Paediatrics is also working on reducing this. Anxiety is a very big problem in young people, severe ADHD, autistic spectrum disorder, depression – there is a huge list of mental health illnesses. But more children than that have problems with mental health difficulties that you wouldn’t call an illness, but still need help.”
Dr Blake used the national radio opportunity to highlight a training programme called MindEd, a free e-learning facility produced by the Royal College of Paediatrics and Child Health in partnership with a consortium of experts. It is aimed at any adult who works with young people and gives further information and training on tackling mental health issues. The free resources can be found by visiting www.rcpch.ac.uk/minded
For more information about the Time to Change campaign, visit the Time for Change Website.
Image: conovosisters under CC BY 2.0
