Gingernut Creative Showcase:
Safeguarding our Mental Health Horizons
“ Mental health governs our quality of life, our relationships and our aspirations. Good mental health is fundamental to the resilience of individuals, families, communities and businesses. It decides, in short, whether a society is flourishing or floundering.”1 As social marketeers, and as an organisation that is dedicated to improving the health and well-being of our nation, it is impossible to ignore how our mental health impacts almost all areas of our life in the UK. The world now is a very different place to the one that our parents and grandparents occupied. Social, economic and environmental factors all contribute challenges to our mental wellbeing – and manifest themselves in pressures on the individual, the economy and the fabric of our society. One in six people in the UK suffer from depression at any one time – yet only a handful of these individuals proactively seek treatment. This leads to a high instance of absence from work, and costs the UK economy an estimated £77 billion, mainly in lost productivity.2
More importantly, and something we have suspected for years, is the impact that a poorly maintained mental health has on the life of the individual; from a reduction in life expectancy, poor physical health, educational underachievement, descent into criminality, inability to maintain a home and sporadic employment status. We believe that the promotion of mental health treatment pathways, whilst breaking down social stigmas associated with acknowledgement and treatment, will contribute to our sociological development and the elimination of health inequalities. We believe that educating society on the relationship between a healthy body and a healthy mind – and the impact this can have on one’s individual life choices – will speed this recovery and management. We also believe that education from an early age, management and support is the long-term solution to the problem. Here at Gingernut Creative we have created some design concepts to support the key messages of the government’s ‘New Horizons’ document. We have also drawn on some key principles of mental health and well-being; the experience and expertise we have acquired in designing and strategising for the NHS, local and regional authorities.
1
Source: The Rt Hon Andy Burnham, Secretary of State for Health
2
Source: Department of Health (July 2009) ‘New Horizons: Towards a shared vision for mental health – consultation’
We also offer a full traditional design service, so if you have any particular ideas you would like to discuss, please give us a call on 0121 779 1999 – we’d be delighted to assist in any way we can.
“
I suffer from
Dealing with anxiety:
anxiety, but it doesn’t worry me.
The idea behind this concept is self-empowerment – the idea that with the right tools and support many sufferers can live successful, happy lives. It doesn’t make unachievable promises, acknowledging that mental illnesses, such as anxiety, may be something a sufferer will have find a way to live with – but that it needn’t be the end of their world. In fact, the image of a father with his son, shows a positive way forward.
I was given the support, and the tools I needed to manage my problems and get my life back.
“
Need help dealing with anxiety? Call 0800 000 000 or visit www.yourwebaddress.org.uk for advice and help.
YOUR LOGO
Copyright © 2010 Gingernut Creative. All concepts, including imagery and copy, remain the intellectual property of Gingernut Creative and cannot be adapted and/or reproduced without the prior written permission of Gingernut Creative.
Suffering from depression?
Taking steps to treatment: People say that being depressed can feel ‘like being in a dark hole with no way out’. This simple concept of a character in darkness looking up to the sky, with a ladder offering a way out, is therefore very powerful.
There are steps you can take to get out of it.
It is the ladder, combined with the headline, which highlights that treatment is a process, taken one step at a time. And the call to action invites sufferers to take that first positive step to recovery.
Take the first step to help.
YOUR LOGO
Call 0800 000 000 www.yourwebaddress.org.uk
Copyright © 2010 Gingernut Creative. All concepts, including imagery and copy, remain the intellectual property of Gingernut Creative and cannot be adapted and/or reproduced without the prior written permission of Gingernut Creative.
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Tackling mental illness in teenagers: Being a teenager is tough – and many teens suffer from issues such as loneliness, anxiety and low self-worth. Because of this it is very important that, at such a difficult time in their lives, teenagers have access to support, help and advice. This concept uses a young, cool style that appeals to this audience and speaks to them on their level, and shows them that help is available. This poster is aimed at teenage girls.
Don’t bottle it up, give us a call on
0800 000 000
YOUR LOGO
Copyright © 2010 Gingernut Creative. All concepts, including imagery and copy, remain the intellectual property of Gingernut Creative and cannot be adapted and/or reproduced without the prior written permission of Gingernut Creative.
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Tackling mental illness in teenagers: This poster continues the previous theme and is aimed at teenage boys.
Life getting you down? Don’t bottle it up, give us a call on
0800 000 000
YOUR LOGO
Copyright © 2010 Gingernut Creative. All concepts, including imagery and copy, remain the intellectual property of Gingernut Creative and cannot be adapted and/or reproduced without the prior written permission of Gingernut Creative.
Tackling prejudice: This concept highlights the different prejudices that the general population has about mental illness. It then confronts these prejudices with a quote from someone who suffers from depression, giving a totally different point of view on it. It also invites suffers to feel proud of the strength they have needed to find, and the wisdom and selfknowledge they have acquired, as a result of their experiences.
YOUR LOGO
Copyright Š 2010 Gingernut Creative. All concepts, including imagery and copy, remain the intellectual property of Gingernut Creative and cannot be adapted and/or reproduced without the prior written permission of Gingernut Creative.
Is work stressing you out? Stress: These days, a high number of jobs are pressured and stressful, meaning that a large number of employees are taking time off due to illness. This concept helps sufferers realise that they are not alone in this inability to cope, and gives them a means of helping themselves, through the call to action.
You’re not alone. In 2008/09, around 415,000 people in Britain experienced work-related stress to a level that was making them ill. If you think you may need help, call 0800 000 000 or visit www.your webaddress.org.uk
Copyright Š 2010 Gingernut Creative. All concepts, including imagery and copy, remain the intellectual property of Gingernut Creative and cannot be adapted and/or reproduced without the prior written permission of Gingernut Creative.
Take care of your mind and your mind will take care of you. Well-being:
A cared-for mind is a happier mind. Meaning a happier you!
This concept asks the reader to consider the importance of looking after their mind, and introduces the idea that minds need the same care and attention that, for example, our bodies do, in order for us to have a better chance at happiness. It is apparent that many people abuse their minds without even realising, and there are now many campaigns designed to change the way that the population view mental health, not just mental illness.
YOUR LOGO For practical tips on how to keep your mind happy visit our website at www.yourwebaddress.org.uk. Copyright Š 2010 Gingernut Creative. All concepts, including imagery and copy, remain the intellectual property of Gingernut Creative and cannot be adapted and/or reproduced without the prior written permission of Gingernut Creative.
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