Sir Bobby Charlton and Ruby Wax lend support to mental health conference

Date published: 09 October 2009

Local mental health Trust, Pennine Care, this week took part in a conference to raise awareness of mental health issues, supported by Manchester United and England football legend Sir Bobby Charlton and TV star Ruby Wax.

The pair were among the attendees at the ‘No Health Without Mental Health North West Conference’ at Old Trafford, organised jointly between nine mental health and learning disability trusts in the region, including Pennine Care, which takes charge of mental health in Rochdale.

The event was arranged to share good practice and establish stronger links between mental health organisations in the North West.

Ruby Wax, who holds a degree in psychotherapy, has experienced episodes of depression for most of her life but only realised how widespread mental problems are after seeking help.

"We need to take the stigma out of mental illness,” she said.

“People shouldn't be ashamed of it. It used to be the 'C' word – cancer – that people wouldn't discuss. Now it's the 'M' word. I hope pretty soon it'll be okay for everyone to talk openly about their mental health without fear of being treated differently."

Sir Bobby Charlton has backed a number of mental health campaigns, most recently lending his support to the ‘It’s a Goal!’ programme to be developed across the North West using football as a means of delivering mental health support to combat depression among young men.

Speakers at the conference shared their experiences of mental illness, and the event also featured workshops allowing Trusts to engage with each other, and to share ideas and solutions to promote better care.