Publish date: 12 October 2022
On World Mental Health Day Central and North West London NHS Foundation Trust (CNWL) Stamped Out Stigma with their Lived Experience of Mental Health Issues Stigma Transformation Network. The network launched a campaign to Stamp Out Stigma related to mental health issues and encouraged staff to bring their stories to work. In a powerful film six CNWL staff members share their experiences of stigma in the workplace to raise awareness.
Mel Ball, Lived Experience of Mental Health Issues Stigma Transformation Staff Network (LEMHIST) Co-Chair and Head of Lived Experience Workforce at the Trust, said:
“We want to work together to reduce the stigma that exists surrounding the mental health of those working at CNWL and encourage staff to bring their full selves to work. The evidence is that stigma is worse for health professionals than it is for the broader public. We hope through this campaign that staff feel they can be open and honest about anything they face and that collectively we create a supportive culture here at CNWL.”
“Let’s celebrate our varied lived experiences of mental health and the diversity we bring to CNWL. This is just the beginning and we want more staff to come forward and make their pledge during the launch week at our virtual and face to face events.”
In the film staff describe and hold up words that describe how they have felt when facing stigma and the labels others place on them.
They want to encourage everyone from the NHS and beyond to help to stamp out stigma by sharing their pledges on social media @CNWLNHS with the hashtag #MySOSPledge
The suggested Tweet template for anyone who wanted to join the conversation on social media is: I'm going to help #StampOutStigma and bring my story to work @CNWLNHS. #MySOSPledge is to ...
To download the campaign resources including pledge forms, posters and films visit the SOS campaign webpage here