Kingston will receive funding to become a Time to Change hub, making it one of eight areas to tackle mental health stigma locally.
Time to Change is a charity with the goal of changing how people think and act about mental health problems, and the hubs are networks of local organisations with the goal of ending mental health discrimination.
Jo Loughran, Director at Time to Change, said: “When 1 in 4 of us will fight a mental health problem in any given year, it’s vital that we come together to end mental health stigma.
“Our network of Time to Change hubs are able to tackle mental health stigma and discrimination in their community.”
One in 100 people in Kingston will have a new diagnosis of depression in the next year.
To tackle this, Kingston will be provided with £25,000 worth of funding, of which £15,000 will be used to set up the hub, and £10,000 will be used for a Champion’s fund.
The Champion’s fund will allow local people who have experienced mental health problems of their own to bid for funds to run stigma busting events and activities.
Leader of the Council, Councillor Liz Green, said: “All too often mental health problems are treated as a taboo subject which can prevent people seeking help when they need it.
“This announcement is fantastic news for the borough and we are looking forward to working with our local partners and Time to Change to make a real difference here in Kingston.”
This funding comes after Kingston Council recently appointed five mental health champion councillors.
The hub will be led by local champions, who will be working with Kingston Council as the Time to Change hub host, with Healthwatch Kingston as the Time to Change coordinator.
Mind in Kingston and over 20 other local voluntary, health service and business organisations will also work closely with the local champions and Kingston Council.
For more information about Time to Change hubs, visit The Time to Change hubs page.
