Mental health charity Hafal’s Have You Clicked? anti-stigma campaign will get its national launch next week at the Royal Welsh Show in Builth Wells.
The Hafal Have You Clicked? stand will give show-goers the chance to get clicking with some high-tech cameras and pick up some key tips on combating the stigma surrounding mental health.
“1 in 30 of us experience a serious mental illness like schizophrenia or bipolar disorder and need to make progress towards recovery, yet people with a mental illness are still subject to prejudice on a daily basis,” said John Abbott, Hafal Campaigns Manager, “and prejudice can stop people getting on with their lives.
“Have You Clicked? will target hundreds of thousands of people across Wales with a clear anti-stigma message at national events like this one and 22 county events that will take place during the summer.
“It invites service users, carers and the public to come up with brilliant photographic images from across the country, breaking down barriers and encouraging people to have fun.”
Bill Walden-Jones, Chief Executive of Hafal, commented: “The focus is on photography at this year’s Royal Welsh event with cameras on hand for show visitors to have a go at taking some exciting shots.
“We’ve even got a seaside peep-through board set up so if you want a souvenir from the show, come over to the stand – we’ll even supply live print-outs.
“Of course, there’s a serious message behind it all. We aim to get our five point plan for combating stigma into the hands of tens of thousands of event goers, changing the attitudes of people in Wales towards serious mental illness.
“We hope that people can come to the stand, have a bit of fun and leave a little wiser.”