Participation in Action: Young people unite to take on stigma of mental health

The stigma that surrounds mental health is in part driven by an unwillingness to talk about the problem. That is why a group of young people in Northamptonshire have decided to raise the issue within their schools in an attempt to educate their peers and help those who need support.

The Mental Health Stigma Programme is led by around 20 young people who have helped to develop the Talk Out Loud education programme, which has already been trialled in three schools.

Aimed at secondary school pupils, it encourages young people to take responsibility for tackling the inequalities that many growing up with mental health problems experience. The programme culminates with the school creating an action plan to better deal with the problem in the future.

Jordan Bullock, one of the young people involved in the development of the project, said: “At the start of our journey, we didn’t have a true understanding of what mental health was and the stigma around it. We have learned that we all have mental health and mental health needs.

“It’s just that some of us can meet our own needs and others need help or support – and that’s okay. Mental health is everyone’s business and it’s our business to change people’s views and perspectives to reduce mental health stigma.”
The group was initially formed as part of a national initiative to implement a framework for professionals to tackle stigma. Northamptonshire was one of six pilot sites in England.

The young people came together to develop a website, www.talkoutloud.info, and create a DVD to help with the process of breaking down barriers to understanding mental health.

Judith Cattermole, joint commissioner for Northamptonshire County Council and Nene Commissioning, said: “Through our work with young people, their parents, carers, teachers, youth workers and health professionals, we have seen time and again the negative effect that mental health stigma can have on children and young people. We need to set an example by talking about the issue openly and ensure everyone can access the support and information they need.”

Making a difference
The young people leading the project say it has opened their eyes to the problems faced by many young people suffering the effects of mental health problems.

“We all joined the project for different reasons,” they say in a joint statement. “Some of us had family or friends with mental health needs, some of us wanted to find out more about mental health needs and some of us wanted to make a difference.

“Being part of the project has been a life changing experience – we have met new people, changed our own views and opinions, grown in confidence and learned how to work as a team.

“Through our work we hope we can challenge the way people see mental health needs, provide information and support for those with needs and help to stamp out mental health stigma.”

Tessa Parkinson, personal, social, health and economic education adviser in Northamptonshire, says the project would not have been as successful without the leadership of the young people.

“Through genuine participation, we have created a powerful, interactive and sustainable education programme that has been written by young people for young people,” she says. “Through the trials that we have already undertaken in schools, we know it will have a really positive impact and contribute greatly to reducing mental health stigma.”