Young people help to tackle mental health issues
Monday 10 October 2016 is World Mental Health Day. Darlington Borough Council and Darlington College are working together to help raise awareness of mental health among children and young people.
Darlington College Art and Design year 2 students, as part of their curriculum, have been tasked with designing a bus shelter poster advert to highlight the negative impact of stigma around mental illness and/or how to achieve good mental health. Some of the best designs will be displayed at a number of poster sites around the town and outside the college.
The poster project aims to reduce the stigma and discrimination amongst young people towards those experiencing mental health conditions, and to encourage individuals to look after their own mental health.
The students, who are all studying a variety of art and design course at the college have been briefed by the council’s public health portfolio lead, Rachel Osbaldeston, encouraged to be creative and advised to include the ‘Time to Change’ website www.timetochange.org.uk to direct people for information on mental health issues.
Councillor Andy Scott, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for health and partnerships, said: “It’s a sad fact that one in four of us will experience a mental health problem at some point in our lives and that increasingly more young people and children are suffering. People are made to feel isolated, ashamed and worthless as a result of their mental health problems. It is sad that some people claim the impact of the stigma they experience is worse than the symptoms of their mental health condition. We need to crack through the stigma and show people it’s not shameful to suffer with Mental Health issues and to encourage and direct them to talk and get help.
Councillor Cyndi Hughes, Darlington Borough Council’s cabinet member for children and young people said: “We are delighted to be working with Darlington College’s Art and Design students as part of their Graphic Design, Photography and Fine Art courses and are confident they will embrace the challenge with great creative flair. We are very much looking forward to seeing their designs and are sure they will translate into great ads that will help to make an impact.”
Graphic Design Tutor Pippa Eeles said: “This is a fantastic opportunity for our students to deliver a live advertising campaign as part of their work experience, working with a client to a design brief and deadlines and to see their work showcased in Darlington. The students are currently busy exploring creative ideas and designing artwork. The best designs will be produced as posters and displayed at bus stops around the town and outside the college around the Christmas period. The students can’t wait to see their work published.”
If you’re not feeling quite yourself or have noticed someone you know doesn’t seem quite them self, take time to talk and listen. For information visit www.time-to-change.org.uk/about-us/challenge-stigma-young-people or www.youngminds.org.uk