WHO WE ARE
End Stigma Surrey is a campaign and programme to raise awareness and reduce stigma around mental health. End Stigma Surrey reaches out to businesses, colleges and communities, to people from different backgrounds, race, cultures and faith and across the diversity and equality spectrum.
Commissioned by Surrey County Council Public Health, End Stigma Surrey is delivered by three well established not for profit organisations in Surrey, Catalyst, Mary Frances Trust (both of whom run Community Connections in Surrey) and Acting Out Productions which provides drama-based training and awareness raising.
We have a team running the project plus volunteers who make up our Lived Experience and Mental Health Champions.
WHAT WE DO
Over the years, End Stigma Surrey has reached thousands of people and provided information and expertise to raise awareness of emotional wellbeing and mental health.
Our main aim is to reduce the stigma people who live with mental health issues experience.
Some of the ways we do this are:
- Workshops, presentations and conversations about mental health with members of the public, from the team of Mental Health Champions, all people who live directly or indirectly (e.g. carers) with mental health issues;
- Live dramas created and performed by professional actors from Acting Out Productions;
- Drama based training sessions that include practical guidelines on spotting symptoms of mental ill health, helping someone and signposting to appropriate organisations and resources.
We engage with as many people as possible across the county within the workplace, education and diverse communities including BAME; LGBTQ+; Gypsy, Roma, Traveller; young adults; professionals in health and care; local government; local media and the general public.
Patrick Wolter
CEO of the Mary Frances Trust
Campaigning for better awareness of mental health and breaking stigma have always been some of our key priorities as we need to be agents of change and bring about the culture shift we need in our society.
Megan Aspel
Director Acting Out Productions
This is an exciting development for End Stigma Surrey – one that aims to instil in all of us a greater willingness to understand and reach out to our friends, neighbours, colleagues, fellow students and family who may be struggling right now.
Sue Murphy
CEO Catalyst
The pandemic is changing the way society evolves and having a huge impact on our mental health. Together there is a collective sense that mental wellbeing is everybody’s business and community assets should be harnessed to promote good mental health.
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WANT TO GEt INVOLVED?
Want to share your story, become a Lived Experience Champion or follow us on social media?
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