London, UK, Wednesday 11 May: Leading mental health charity Mind has partnered with Langland to launch a new nationwide campaign that seeks to change the way we speak about mental health. The campaign roll-out coincides with Mental Health Awareness Week (9 – 15 May) and aims to address the fact that many people don’t recognise themselves in current mental health campaigns or relate to the voices speaking to them. Using ‘Spoken Word’, the campaign aims to help anyone experiencing a mental health problem to see themselves in the stories being told and take the first step in reaching out to Mind.

“One in 4 of us will experience mental health problems every year. This suggests that we all know someone, or will ourselves, struggle with mental health at some point in our life. Yet it is still a conversation that too often goes unspoken,” comments Victoria Wright, CEO, Langland. “This campaign aims to shift this pattern and connect people through Spoken Word. Through poetry, lived experience can be shared in a way which others will recognise and empathise with. We know from our research that when people see some of themselves in this type of content, they are more likely to seek support – our end goal is to connect people with Mind to get the help they need.”

To ensure the campaign is authentic, it tells the stories of two people with lived mental health experience who are connected with Mind. As self-expression can be challenging, we partnered with Universal Music Group and performing artists Jords and James Smith (Yard Act) who helped our authors, Rohan and Mel, tell their stories.

“If these stories speak to you, speak to us. You might not have the same diagnosis as Rohan or Mel but what they’ve been through might resonate with you. Their stories touch on isolation, loss of control, feelings of judgement – things we can all relate to on some level. The most important thing to remember is that you don’t have to face these feelings alone. If you're going through a difficult time or are struggling with how you're feeling, Mind is here for you,” - Jennifer Walters, Associate Director of Communications at Mind

Supported by MediaLab, the campaign can be seen in cinemas across London for the remainder of May, as well as across the London transport network and on social media.

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