A CAMPAIGN is being re-launched to combat the stigma that surrounds mental health.

North West Boroughs Healthcare, formerly 5 Boroughs Partnership first unveiled its Stamp out Stigma campaign to challenge perceptions of mental health problems and learning disabilities in 2010.

The aim was to collect pledges from members of the public promising not to use words like ‘nutter’ and ‘psycho’, which are hurtful and offensive to people with mental health problems.

Seven years on, the trust is reviving the campaign and will be turning its focus to sharing real-life stories from service users, carers and members who have first-hand experience of mental health stigma, and will be myth-busting some of the common misconceptions around different mental health problems under monthly themes.

Mental health awareness week runs until May 21 and is organised by the Mental Health Foundation and this year’s theme is tackling stress.

The trust has produced a series of video clips of service users talking about stress and the stigma that surrounds it.

Simon Barber, chief executive at North West Boroughs Healthcare said: “We are re-launching our Stamp out Stigma campaign to challenge perceptions and further educate the public about the realities of mental health problems by sharing real-life stories from our service users and carers.

“We hope these experiences will highlight the realities of mental health problems and show how mental health stigma can hurt and offend people who are living with these complex and often distressing conditions.”

The trust will be getting involved in a number of initiatives this week to help promote positive mental health and wellbeing.