UK radio to join forces for Mental Health message

Commercial radio stations around the UK and BBC Radio 1, Radio 2 and 5 Live are uniting to broadcast a one-minute message about mental health.

A one minute message will air simultaneously on May 15 at 10.59am and will feature globally famous voices talking about the stigma of mental health.

The message is to recognise Mental Health Awareness Week during the industry’s Radio Audio Week. The minute is supported by the Royal Foundation’s Heads Together campaign which launched in 2016 to change the national conversation on mental health and tackle the stigma that prevents people from getting the help they need.

Heads Together brings together The Royal Foundation and eight mental health charities including the Anna Freud Centre For Children and Families, Best Beginnings, CALM, Contact, Place 2 Be, Mind, The Mix, and Young Minds.

With over 300 stations taking part, broadcasting to one of radio’s biggest collective audiences with an average listenership of 20 million, the Mental Health Minute has been led by Radiocentre and The Radio Academy. The content will be created and produced by content agency Somethin’ Else.

Siobhan Kenny, Chief Executive at Radiocentre, said: “Radio is coming together in a UK first today to shine a light on the important issue of mental health. Radio is unique in being both fantastically intimate and yet part of a shared experience. As well as providing company and fun, radio can be an important lifeline for listeners. It is therefore an obvious choice for us all to come together to talk about the things that matter most in our lives.”

Somethin’ Else Managing Director Steve Ackerman said: “Somethin’ Else is delighted to be working with Radiocentre on the creative and production of this exciting moment in radio history. We are pleased that the power of audio is being used to such fantastic effect and confident that what we’ve produced will get people talking.”

Roger Cutsforth, Chief Executive at The Radio Academy, said: “We have a responsibility to recognise the unique place we in radio occupy in people’s lives. This poignant moment of reflection, a first in UK radio, is a wonderful opportunity to help us improve how we support each other emotionally.”

Lorraine Heggessey, Chief Executive of The Royal Foundation said: “At its heart, Heads Together is about bringing people together to change the conversation on mental health. Nothing exemplifies this more than radio stations from all networks focussing their airtime on such an important topic, and talking directly with their listeners.”

Full details of the minute and the voices will be unveiled on Tuesday May 15 ahead of the minute.

For any stations who aren’t on board but would like to be, please get in touch with George Butler George.butler@radiocentre.org by 3pm on Friday 11th May, or for any community stations wanting to take part, please contact Bill Best at bill.best@commedia.org.uk