Creative Director - Robert Waddilove
Led by Mind and Rethink Mental Illness, Time to Change is England's biggest programme to challenge mental health stigma and discrimination. Mental health problems are common - but nearly nine out of ten people who experience them say they face stigma and discrimination as a result. This can be even worse than the symptoms themselves.
I developed the creative and oversaw a series of online films, TV and radio commercials and print for Time to Change's new campaign for 2014, with it's focus being on the small things you can do to support someone experiencing a mental health problem. Whether that’s sending a text, chatting over a cuppa, giving them a call to find out how they are or inviting them out, for example, all these are small things that show you’re there for someone and can really make a difference.
The campaign shows that anyone can experience a mental health problem, reduces the discomfort and awkwardness in talking about mental health and gives people the tools to help them feel able to support friends, family and colleagues affected by mental health problems.
Everyone featured in the campaign has either had personal experience of mental health problems or been there to support a friend, colleague or loved one with their mental health by doing the little things.
Time to Change - It's the Little Things
"When I was feeling down I'd get the phone and there'd be a text from Matt or a phone call, or he'd send me a message, an email or a stupid joke...that always made me smile" - Tim. Tim and Matt talk about their friendship and how Matt has been there for Tim when he was unwell with bipolar disorder.
"We've known each other over 20 years and... she's been there throughout". Yvonne and Birgit talk about their friendship and the small things Birgit does that really make a difference when Yvonne is going through a difficult time with her mental health. Yvonne and Birgit feature in the latest Time to Change advert.
"I'm going to make a difference...I'm going to make contact" - Charlie. Charlie and Roxanne talk about their relationship and how Charlie supported Roxanne with her mental health by doing the small things like giving her a call and inviting her out.
"Just a little tiny message to say I really admire what you're doing just stick with it... they know that you care and that's the most important thing" - Liz. Liz and Lisa talk about their friendship and how they've been there to support one another with their mental health.