SOUTHAMPTON has been selected as one of eight areas in England to tackle mental health stigma.

After winning a bid to become one of 2019’s Time to Change Hubs, Southampton and Portsmouth will be joining 13 funded hubs and 30 organic hubs across England to help change the way we all think and act about mental health problems.

Made up of a partnership between Portsmouth and Southampton councils, and mental health charity Solent Mind, the hub will support communities, workplaces and schools to take action to end negative attitudes and behaviours towards people with mental health problems.

Each hub is provided with £15,000 along with £10,000 so locals can bid for funding to run stigma-busting events within their area.

Cllr David Shields, cabinet member for health and community wellbeing at Southampton City Council, said: “

Being a Time to Change Hub will enable us to build on the good work taking place at the council and in our communities, and particularly, in ensuring that those with lived experience can use their skills and talents to lead local action on tackling mental health stigma.

“Mental health issues affect one in four of us, and touches many of us throughout our lives. That’s why we need to engage with all sections of society – families, businesses, education establishments, public services, community organisations, unions and faith groups – to address stigma and discrimination in our city.”