ITV: Britain Get Talking

On Monday 25th September, ITV and STV launched a new initiative from the UK's most recognised mental health campaign, Britain Get Talking. The campaign, created by Uncommon Creative Studio, encouraged every school in the country to set a different kind of homework this World Mental Health Day (10th October) - asking the hardest subject: what's on our minds? This homework task came at a time when we have never needed it more - the cost of living crisis, the pandemic and troubling world events have all had a negative impact on our children's mental health like never before. In fact, mental health has declined in almost 40% of school children. The homework task itself and contributing assets, including the Ant & Dec film, were made available to every school in the country through a simple downloadable pack. ITV and Uncommon also contacted thousands of schools across England, Scotland, Northern Ireland and Wales, as well as support from teaching editorial publications; the initiative was showcased to thousands of members in the teaching community prior to World Mental Health Day. Britain Get Talking continues to be developed with charities Mind, YoungMinds and the Scottish Association for Mental Health. Designed in collaboration with a psychologist and the teaching community, the task encourages young people to have a proper chat with an adult they trust about the hardest subject on their minds. British television presenting duo — Ant & Dec — fronted the campaign in schools with a bespoke assembly film explaining the homework task to young people and how sharing how we feel can reduce stress and anxiety. The film was played across the country in school assemblies to encourage young people to take part. Celebrities including Roman Kemp, Davina McCall, Olivia Attwood, Oti Mabuse, Laura Whitmore, Phil Foden, AJ Odudu, Katie Piper, Charlene White, Joe Wicks, Susanna Reid, Gino D’Acampo, Joel Dommett, Kate Garraway, Ben Shephard and more have shown their support for the campaign with messages shared across TV, social and online.