UK’s business leaders and senior politicians join the fight to end the stigma around mental health with #Thisisme campaign

Sadiq Khan, Mark Carney and Charles Bowman, the Lord Mayor of the City of London, are just some of the senior public figures who have pledged their support to end the stigma around mental health in the workplace.

They will join hundreds of firms and almost 200,000 employees across the country in standing together with The Lord Mayor’s Appeal by wearing green ribbons as a show of solidarity and in a bid to raise awareness of mental health.

The Lord Mayor’s Appeal will turn the UK green during Mental Health Awareness Week (14-20 May) to help end the stigma of mental health through its Green Ribbon Campaign, part of its ongoing This is Me initiative.

The Lord Mayor Charles Bowman, Arsenal FC, the Bank of England, Channel 4, Barclays, Home Office and Manchester Airport Group are also some of the many other senior figures and firms taking part in the Green Ribbon Campaign.

Almost 200,000 green ribbons distributed by Lord Mayor’s Appeal will be worn across the whole of the UK during Mental Health Awareness Week, with 250 organisations taking part from a wide range of businesses including retail, law firms and banks and sectors including charities, hospitals, schools, and the civil service.

Lord Mayor of the City of London, Charles Bowman, commented:

“It’s great to have such powerful public figures showing their support for the campaign, helping to amplify our message and encourage more employees to speak about their mental health.

“Every year the campaign is getting bigger and bigger and has already made a phenomenal difference with organisations saying it has been the most impactful diversity and inclusion campaign ever run.

“Let’s paint the UK green and end the stigma around mental health in the workplace.”

To help grow This is Me, The Lord Mayor’s Appeal partnered with Thrive LDN, the London-wide mental health movement launched in 2017 by The Mayor of London, Sadiq Khan.

Adam Spreadbury, co-founder of the Bank of England’s Mental Health Network, added:

“We are thrilled to be taking part again in the Green Ribbon Campaign. We are asking our employees to wear them during Mental Health Awareness Week as well as lighting up Threadneedle Street green to show our commitment to end mental health stigma.

“We will also be promoting to colleagues the new online training, Wellbeing in the City, developed by Samaritans and a new strand of The Lord Mayor’s Appeal’s This is Me Campaign. This training gives practical skills and confidence to support a colleague who is going through tough times. Anyone can struggle and anyone can offer support too.”

Mark Thomson – Director General for UK Visa’s, HM Passport and Home Office Disability Champion said:

“Raising awareness and maintaining our commitment to support good mental health for all, is something I am passionate about. Encouraging our employees to wear a green ribbon supports the culture of openness the Home Office is encouraging in the workplace when it comes to mental health.”

In 2017, The Lord Mayor’s Appeal Green Ribbon campaign was created as a visible sign of support to raise awareness, end the stigma around mental health and create more inclusive workplaces, following a campaign instigated by PwC.

About The Lord Mayor’s Appeal: The Lord Mayor’s Appeal – helping one million people thrive. The Lord Mayor’s Appeal is bringing together businesses, employees, neighbouring communities and charities to find solutions to some of London’s most pressing societal issues.

About the City of London Corporation: The City of London Corporation is the governing body of the Square Mile dedicated to a vibrant and thriving City, supporting a diverse and sustainable London within a globally-successful UK. The City Corporation is supporting the Lord Mayor’s Appeal Green Ribbon Campaign.