The Time to Change Wales campaign is delivered by a partnership of two leading Welsh mental health charities.
- Mind Cymru is Mind's force for change in Wales. Informed in everything they do by people with direct experience of emotional distress they campaign vigorously to create a society that promotes good mental health and that challenges mental health stigma.
- Hafal (meaning 'equal') is the principal organisation in Wales working with individuals recovering from serious mental illness and their families. They are managed by the people they support - individuals with serious mental illness and their carers.
“When I wear the Time to Change Wales ‘end stigma’ badge, it encourages people to come over and discuss mental health.” TTCW Champion
The campaign is overseen by a Programme Management Board (PMB) which includes the Chief Executives or Directors and key senior staff from the two partner organisations. 'The PMB' also includes people with lived experience of mental health problems and individuals with expertise relevant to the campaign.
The campaign is funded by Comic Relief and the Welsh Government.
Let's start the conversation!
People who experience mental illness often face stigma and discrimination in the workplace, socially and within families. This can make life with a mental health problem more difficult than the symptoms themselves.
We want to improve knowledge and understanding about mental illness and, most importantly of all, get people talking about mental health.
"If mental health were a physical illness, people would send get well cards, they would call round with flowers and provide empathy in bucket loads. Instead with MH, you are lucky if someone asks if you're ok before quickly changing the subject."
Laura, TTCW Champion
Our evidence has shown that by sharing lived experiences and life stories by those who have suffered or suffer with mental health problems leads to transformational change in attitude and a reduction in stigma and discrimination amongst those with whom the story is shared. Champions and people with lived experience are at the heart of the Time to Change Wales programme.
"This campaign will create a generation of people who don't have to face stigma and discrimination, and can talk about mental health openly without fear."
Mair Elliott, mental health campaigner