The Royals attend the launch of their Heads Together campaign to eliminate mental health stigma

by Ollie Drackford

Head of Marcoms

Monday 16th May 2016

The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry have launched their new campaign to end stigma around mental health. The Heads Together campaign will see them working in partnership with inspiring charities to change the national conversation on mental wellbeing.

Their Royal Highnesses are keen to build on the great work that is already taking place across the country, to ensure that people feel comfortable with their everyday mental wellbeing, feel able to support their friends and families through difficult times, and that stigma no longer prevents people getting the help they need.

The campaign launch at Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park in east London showcased the innovative work of the Heads Together charity partners who have achieved so much in tackling stigma, raising awareness, and providing vital help for people with mental health challenges. The team covers a wide range of mental health issues that are close to The Duke and Duchess and Prince Harry’s passions. They are:

• Anna Freud Centre
• Best Beginnings
• CALM – The Campaign Against Living Miserably
• Contact (a military mental health coalition)
• Mind
• Place2Be
• The Mix
• YoungMinds

Speaking at the launch The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry set out their ambitions for the Heads Together campaign.

The Duke of Cambridge

“Through our work with young people, emergency response, homeless charities, and with veterans, we have seen time and time again that unresolved mental health problems lie at the heart of some of our greatest social challenges.”

The Duchess of Cambridge

“Too often, people feel afraid to admit that they are struggling with their mental health. This fear of judgment stops people from getting the help they need, which can destroy families and end lives. Heads Together wants to help everyone feel much more confident with their everyday mental health, and to have the practical tools to support their friends and family.”

Prince Harry

“The Heads Together campaign wants to involve all of you. We’re already working with our partner charities and thousands of people to change the way that people think about mental health. We do not want prejudice and fear to stand in the way of people getting the help they need to cope with life. As the year progresses, the three of us – working with all of you in this room and others who will join us along the way – want to come up with practical ways of providing everyone who needs help with the right support and care. We want to build on the great work that others are already doing, but make it even more ambitious. By putting our heads together, we can all make a big difference.”

The Duke of Cambridge

“But first, Heads Together wants to get people talking. The more we talk about mental health, the more normal the topic becomes, and the more we feel able to open up and seek support. By asking for help, by telling a friend we have a problem, by asking someone else how they feel – by having a conversation – we take the first step to feeling better about ourselves – and the first step to being able to cope better with the ups and downs of life. This is relevant to everyone.

“So let’s all get our heads together and let’s change the conversation, from one of silence and shame to one of optimism and support. Thank you for joining us at the start of this exciting journey.”

Heads Together will be open for other organisations to join in the months ahead and will be supported by The Royal Foundation of The Duke and Duchess of Cambridge and Prince Harry.

Heads Together also has the huge privilege of being the 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon Charity of the Year, providing a positive platform for energetic and positive fundraising and awareness. Next year, hundreds of runners will hit the streets of London to help end stigma on mental health for good.

The Heads Together campaign is being generously supported by The Hans & Julia Rausing Trust, ShareGift and the first three Heads Together founding corporate partners – Dixons Carphone, Unilever UK and Virgin Money. This support will help amplify the aims of the campaign as well as fund specific projects designed to help us all with mental health.

Chris Martin, CEO at The Mix said: “At The Mix we hear stories of young people struggling with their mental health every day. Our digital and helpline support services are uniquely positioned to channel their voices to change the national conversation on mental health for the better.

We are delighted to be part of Their Royal Highnesses’ innovative Heads Together campaign. Together we will engage with the UK’s 8 million 16-25 year olds through the digital, social and mobile channels that they use to connect them to vital support and to challenge stigma around mental health.”

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How The Mix celebrated the launch of The Heads together campaign:

The Mix hosted the music area of the festival, with Kiss FM DJ and Sky 1 Presenter, AJ King, along with one of the first runners to be selected for the Heads Together 2017 Virgin Money London Marathon, Louise Jones from Brentwood in Essex.

The music was inspired by playlists created by The Mix community and shared through the Spotify network (with social media support from Spotify). The Mix created a bright and fun zone, with music to feel good to and fun foam hands to raise the roof and lift moods. There were beanbags for weary guests to rest their feet and a spin on the decks with Kiss FM DJ AJ King to create their own #HeadMix playlist – filled with music that helps you cope with a bad mood, or inspires to get out and about.

Their Royal Highnesses contributed to the #HeadMix playlist and people can visit themix.org.uk/HeadMix to submit their own playlist of calming music, motivational songs or songs from childhood so you can sing along to your heart’s content.