Deputy Prime Minister recognises Local Mental Health Heroes

The winners of the Mental Health Hero Awards have been announced by Deputy Prime Minister, Nick Clegg in the hope to raise awareness and encourage people to speak out about mental health problems.

Mr Clegg revealed the winners of the award and recognised their efforts to support people living with mental health conditions. A further 10 local winners have been selected after more than 900 nominations were received nationwide, winners will have the opportunity to attend a special award ceremony today.

The ceremony is planned to take place in Whitehall and celebrate Time to Talk Day which is now in its second year. Time to Talk Day encourages people to spend five minutes talking about mental health to encourage others to do the same and reduce the stigma surrounding mental health problems.

One quarter experience mental health problems

The most recognised mental health problem is depression, effecting more than 10 per cent of the population, contributing to many people being out of work, estimated to cost the economy £70 billion per year in benefits, and lost productivity.

One quarter of the population will experience mental health problems each year, whilst only 25 per cent will receive treatment for their problems with the most common treatment being medication.

Mr Clegg said: “I’ve been overwhelmed by the huge number of responses we’ve had for these awards and the incredible work going on to help other people in their darkest hours. Every single one of them is helping us win the fight to tackle the stigma and prejudice around mental health and build a fairer society where no one has to suffer in silence. In my eyes they are all winners.

“Days like this are a reminder of the progress we have made in raising awareness of mental health, but we still have a long way to go. Today, we can all make a difference by giving just 5 minutes for Time to Talk Day and speaking out about mental health. It may be minutes to you but could make a world of difference for someone else.”

Time to Talk Day was launched in collaboration with Time to Change who recently revealed almost 60 per cent of people with mental health problems keep them secret from those closest to them for over a year.

Time to Change reported a huge improvement in public attitudes to mental illness during the last decade. The survey of more than 5,800 people with experience of mental health problems was conducted during December 2014-January 2015 and revealed more than 70 per cent of people felt that their friends and family were the most supportive of all groups including doctors, teachers, colleagues and employers. When asked about the stigma they faced, more than 60 per cent revealed that they found the discrimination worse than their mental health problems, whilst a further 40 per cent said they received discrimination weekly or monthly.

Furthermore, 66 per cent disclosed that the discrimination they faced had stopped them socialising and nearly 40 per cent said it stopped them having a relationship.

Mr Clegg revealed that the Department of Health plans to fund the Time to Change initiative for another year and has allocated an additional £2.5 million to support this pledge. The money will be used to provide support to people living with mental health problems and encourage them to speak out about discrimination.

Care and Support Minister, Norman Lamb, said: “I’m delighted that we’re investing a further £2.5 million in the vital work of Time to Change next year. The programme has led the way in tackling the devastating stigma faced by so many with mental health problems.

“We all have a role to play in ending discrimination for good – Time to Talk Day is a fantastic opportunity to start conversations and I’m pleased to see so many people getting the recognition they deserve through today’s awards.”

The Mental Health Heroes awards were devised to ensure that mental health treatments are given the same attention and support as physical health and Mr Clegg is working to improve all mental health services.

Winners were selected by a panel of industry professionals and recognised for their efforts to change attitudes towards mental health and make it easier for people to seek support and advice.

'Awards are a great opportunity to enliven conversations about mental health'

Local winners of the award have been selected from across the country ranging from Northumberland to Devon. Helen Boutle from Yorkshire who has been recognised for helping to educate her local community about mental health conditions. Ms Boutle also played a major role in the creation of community led organisation, Creative Recovery which challenges the stereotypes around mental health problems by creating relaxing social activities for people to enjoy

Ms Boutle said: “These awards are a great opportunity to enliven conversations about mental health. By sharing our experiences we know that we’re not alone and this has never been more important. At Creative Recovery we share positive messages and believe that coming together and being creative can be a catalyst for change.

“It’s about getting people thinking about what they can do to boost their own communities and reach out to those who have become isolated, connecting with each other and fostering a new sense of acceptance and belonging.”

Clive Hathway, spent a large part of his own life living with paranoid schizophrenia and has been recognised for his role campaigning for improvements to mental health services and his book ‘Looking for Prince Charles’ Dog’ proceeds of which were donated to local charities. Psychiatric nurse for South Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust, Alison Bass nominated Mr Hathway after working with him more than 10 years ago.

He said: “I am overwhelmed with pride at receipt of this reward. Thanks very much to the Deputy Prime Minister and the committee for the award which I gratefully accept for the whole service user community.

“The mental health service user fraternity really needs to see that recovery from paranoid schizophrenia and depression with a return to a happy and productive life is a possibility. I relish this opportunity to do that as I am happy, productive and have avoided hospital for over 10 years now.”

Ian Callaghan, a former user of secure mental health services in England, was recognised for his work with Rethink Mental Illness and NHS England offering advice to help mental health facilities to ensure that the correct treatment can be provided to all patients.

Mr Callaghan is further acknowledged for his work organising a number of national conferences helping to celebrate achievements in the sector. He was nominated by the head of public voice at NHS England, Olivia Butterworth. He said: “I am absolutely thrilled to have won this award – in fact I’m bowled over! I don’t feel like a hero at all because I so thoroughly enjoy the involvement I have with the Recovery and Outcomes project for people receiving care in secure mental health units around the country.

“I started with the project when I was a patient in a secure service and it’s great to be able to give something back. Along with a dedicated group of others, I help support people in their recovery and give people a voice outside their service and that’s incredibly rewarding.

“To see people that are hidden behind high fences and thick walls who’ve experienced some awful events in their lives make real progress towards rebuilding their lives is a privilege to be a part of – and it’s for all those people that I receive this award.”