A new campaign urging City workers, residents and visitors to look after their mental health and wellbeing by seeking help for mental health issues is launching today [Monday 19 June].

The month-long campaign is run by the City of London Corporation in partnership with the City of London Police and Business Healthy.

The initiative will include eye-catching posters encouraging people to “release the pressure”, which will be found across the Square Mile, including in Tube stations, rail stations, pop-ups on smartphone apps and across social media – using the hashtag #releasethepressure

The adverts will encourage people to visit a “release the pressure” webpage, where they will find information about free support services, including the Samaritans’ Freephone line, NHS, CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) and others.

Normal everyday issues, such as stress, money worries, bereavement, neglect, burn-out, loneliness or divorce, when bottled up, can lead to an individual reaching a crisis point. Suicide is the most severe manifestation of this negative spiral.

Joyce Nash, Chairman of the City of London Corporation’s Health and Wellbeing board, said:

“Everyone has mental health, whether good or bad. It’s time to stop the silence and discuss suicide within the wider context of mental health.

“Mental illness has a wide array of causes and seemingly low-level stressors, if left alone and without support, it can turn into something more serious

“Mental health is entering wider discourse – as shown by the Royals’ spearheading of the Heads Together campaign and initiatives such as the Lord Mayor’s Appeal’s “This Is Me – In the City” green ribbon campaign during this year’s Mental Health Awareness Week.

“We are working closely with partners the City of London Police, Samaritans and City businesses to support people facing mental health issues. We hope this campaign can reach people who are suffering and let them know that help and support are available, confidentially and for free.”

For more information about the campaign visit: www.cityoflondon.gov.uk/releasethepressure

Anyone that wants to talk about an issue can call Samaritans any time, from any phone. They are there round the clock and the number is free to call. Samaritans: 116 123​ www.samaritans.org

Notes to editors

About the City of London Corporation

The City of London Corporation provides local government and policing services for the financial and commercial heart of Britain, the 'Square Mile'. In addition, the City Corporation has three roles:

• We support London’s communities by working in partnership with neighbouring boroughs on economic regeneration, education and skills. In addition, the City of London Corporation’s charitable funder, City Bridge Trust, makes grants of around £20 million annually to tackle disadvantage across London.

   

• We also help look after key London heritage and green spaces including Tower Bridge, the Museum of London, Barbican Arts Centre, City gardens, Hampstead Heath, Epping Forest, Burnham Beeches, and important commons in London.

   

• We also support and promote the ‘City’ as a world-leading financial and business hub, with outward and inward business delegations, high-profile civic events and research-driven policies, all reflecting a long-term approach.

See www.cityoflondon.gov.uk for more details.

About Business Healthy

Business Healthy is a community and online resource for business leaders committed to improving the health and wellbeing of their workforce.

See https://www.businesshealthy.org/ for more details