This morning, more than 20 million people across the UK heard a message from the Duke of Cambridge, Stephen Fry, Alesha Dixon, Jameela Jamil and Katy Perry. To kick off this year’s Mental Health Awareness week, the #MentalHealthMinute was broadcast from 300 radio stations, for the charity Heads Together.
In case you missed it, the simple, one-minute message encouraged us all to stop, and take the time to listen to others, to enable people to share their feelings.
Prince William, who has shown his dedication to mental health since Heads Together’s creation in 2017, said today, “Being able to talk about how you’re feeling is essential for keeping mentally fit and healthy.”
With as many as one in four people in the UK experiencing a mental health issue each year (according to mental health charity Mind), it is now especially important to speak out, and to make sure someone is listening when we do. This morning’s message coincides with the launch of Heads Together’s legacy project SHOUT, a free, confidential text line, providing a listening ear for those who feel they have no one to talk to. For more information on SHOUT, and for volunteering opportunities, head to their website.
Heads Together’s message has since been shared avidly across social media, both publicly and privately to support the moment, with #MentalHealthAwarenessWeek trending on Twitter, along with this year’s official hashtag #BeBodyKind. Stay tuned for our blogs throughout the week.