In October 2018, Our Time launched its year-long #BeingSeenAndHeard campaign to raise awareness of and gain recognition for children affected by parental mental illness. The campaign is being supported by various activities and events throughout the UK.
Why we’re campaigning
There are over 2.9 million young people in the UK live with or care for a parent with a mental illness¹. Despite being identified by the World Health Organization as one of the most significant challenges of our generation, this hidden group is not currently recognised in policy and funding frameworks. Many do not identify as young carers due to fear, stigma or a lack of understanding about mental illness, and say they do not feel listened to or are anxious about interventions that potentially make the situation worse.
How you can help
Please sign Our Time’s petition to help make a difference to the lives of children and young people affected by a parent’s mental illness.
How we’re campaigning
Here are just some of the way’s we’ve been campaigning since October 2018.
¹ Children’s Commissioner’s Vulnerability report 2019