The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge have celebrated the work of a mental health programme which is ending after 15 years of campaigning, but said Britain needs to “keep talking and keep taking action”.
Prince William and Kate sent a personal thank you message today, to the many people who, through Time to Change, have inspired a more open culture around mental health.
The future King said: “Over the past 15 years, Time to Change Champions have inspired and supported thousands of people across the country.
“And mental health has now, at last, moved into the mainstream as part of our daily lives.
“We need to keep talking, keep taking action and continue to stand up to the stigma.”
Time to Change was set up in 2007 by the charities Mind, Mental Health Media, Rethink Mental Illness to change the conversation around mental health in Britain.
Since Time to Change launched, it has been credited with improving the attitude of millions of people towards those living with mental health problems, but will close for good in England on March 31 when its funding ends.
The campaign initially received funding from Comic Relief and the National Lottery Community Fund, with the Department of Health and Social Care also contributing from 2011 onwards.
Kate, 39, said: Movements like Time to Change have helped to transform attitudes and encouraged more openness about mental health in schools, communities and the workplace.
“However, the work isn’t done yet, and we cannot afford to stop here.
“It’s so important that we value our mental health just as much as we value our physical health.”
Jo Loughran, Director of Time to Change, said “Together, we’ve brought mental health problems out of the shadows.
“We’ve stood up for the 1 in 4 of us who experience mental health problems each year and made it more acceptable to speak up, challenge stigma and discrimination, and seek help. “And for that we should all be immensely proud.”
