The Rethink Mental Illness Moments of the Decade
31/12/2019
2011
We launched the Schizophrenia Commission, the largest independent review into schizophrenia in the UK.
2012
After months of campaigning, MPs speak openly for the first time about their own mental health in the Commons.
We are part of a coalition which gains ground in the push for parity of esteem between mental and physical health. The coalition recommends an amendment to the Health and Social Care Bill which confirms that mental health will now be treated with the same urgency as physical health.
2013
Following campaigning by ourselves and others, the Mental Health Discrimination Act removes the barriers for MPs, jurors and company directors experiencing mental health issues. This Act made it illegal to stop people from becoming a member of a jury, MP or company because they live with mental illness.
Schizophrenia Awareness Week is launched, raising invaluable funds and awareness for people who are living with the illness.
2014
We launched the Find Mike campaign with Jonny Benjamin and started a global discussion about male suicide. The campaign reunited Jonny with the man who had stopped him from ending his life on Waterloo Bridge six years previously. This was a significant step in increasing awareness of male suicide.
Time to Change runs its first 'Time to Talk Day', bringing millions of people around the country together to talk more openly about mental health.
2015
For the first time in British history, all of the political party manifestos put forward ahead of the 2015 General Election included allusions to mental health issues.
2016
Mental Health UK is launched, bringing together the work of Support in Mind Scotland, Wales's Hafal, Northern Ireland's Mindwise and Rethink Mental Illness under one UK-wide umbrella organisation. This helps to deliver more services, funds and information to people all across the UK.
2017
Launch of the annual Rethink Comedy Night with our ambassador Russell Kane.
Campaigning by Rethink Mental Illness plays a key role in persuading the Government to set up an Independent Review of the Mental Health Act. The Review published its recommendations in 2018.
2018
After two years of campaigning, we have a big win on Personal Independence Payments as ministers drop damaging plans for the way that supported housing is funded.
Seni's Law is passed to monitor and reduce the use of force in mental health units.
The birth of Walky Talky, our flagship fundraising walk that brings people together to walk and talk about mental health.
2019
All three political parties commit to reforming the Mental Health Act during the Christmas election.
'It's a Wonderful Line' campaign that was created with Romans and Virgin Trains wins the Christmas Campaign of the Decade award from PR Week.
We can't wait for what the 2020's will bring as we continue to fight for a better life for people living with mental illness. Want to join us? Sign up to be a campaigner or fundraiser today.