To recognise Mental Health Awareness Week and Radio Audio Week taking place 14-19th May, hundreds of radio stations across the UK will unite for the first time ever, to play a one minute message about mental health, reaching millions of listeners. The audio will feature some of the world’s most recognisable voices. It will be broadcast at 10.59 am on Tuesday 15th May.
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.
Watch: Mental Health Minute video
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 Radio Centre and The Radio Academy. The content will be created and produced by content agency Somethin’ Else.
Siobhan Kenny, Chief Executive at Radio Centre, 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 Radio Centre 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 focusing their airtime on such an important topic, and talking directly with their listeners.”
Mental Health Minute is at 10.59 am on Tuesday 15th May
