‘Going To Be’ – a week on
9th May 2017
Blog by Chloe Bellany, SAMH Campaigns Officer
Have we mentioned we launched a new campaign last week?
After months of preparation, it was fantastic to finally be able to share ‘Going To Be’, our new children and young people campaign with you. And even better to get such a brilliant reaction – thank you to everyone who has supported and been a part of it so far.
Three children in every classroom will have experienced a mental health problem by the time they’re 16. And thousands will struggle to get the help they need. It’s not good enough.
Our three, 30 second campaign films show children talking about what they’re going to be and acknowledging that their future might include a mental health problem. They’re showing on STV and in cinemas, and are supported with activity online and in the media.
Last Tuesday (2nd of May) we celebrated the launch with an event at George Square, Glasgow. Armed with giant photo frames and a Polaroid camera we asked passers by what they were ‘going to be’ when they were growing up – from cowboy to microwave technician; pop star to train driver, it was great to have so many people engaging and sharing with us.
But alongside the unusual and wonderful mix of occupations; a few you went for things like ‘confident’ and ‘comfortable with myself.’
And at its heart, isn’t that what this campaign is all about? Of course we want our young people to grow up to have the successful careers they always wanted; but first and foremost, we want them to grow up happy. We should have a system that means young people grow up with strong self-esteem, resilience and wellbeing.
It’s got to change, and with your help, it can.
Find out more about our campaign and join us.
