Why the black dog?
By Charlotte Fantelli
You may be wondering why we have new 'Black Dog' banners in our right hand column and randomly dotted black dogs throughout our site? Well, it is in support of the national mental health charity SANE's Black Dog Campaign.
The charity launched the 'Black Dog Campaign' earlier this year to raise awareness of depression and mental illness. Sculptures of black dogs have been placed in various locations across London and now are being rolled out across the UK.
SANE say that the sculptures are to help raise awareness, reduce stigma and misunderstanding and to encourage more people to seek help.
The 'Year of the Black Dog' marks the charity's 25th anniversary. In it's 25 years SANE has helped many thousands of people through its campaigns to reduce stigma, provide information and give support to those with mental health issues. SANE's services include a helpline (0845 767 8000 6pm – 11pm) an email support facility and a support forum (see www.sane.org.uk)
“We hope the physical presence of a black dog will help people to define their experience of this invisible condition and provide a language in which to express inner feelings of anxiety, depression and loneliness.” Comments Marjorie Wallace CBE, Founder and Chief Executive of SANE.
The campaign will end in 2012 with an auction of the black dogs which will raise vital funds for the charity. They also hope that the campaign and PR that it gets will help educate long after the 'Year' is over.
SANE has had celebrity support from the likes of Rory Bremner, Beverly Knight, Ruby Wax, Judith Owen, KT Tunstall and Stephen Fry and media attention has really helped communicate the key messages of the campaign so far. Stephen Fry has said: “SANE and their Black Dog campaign has my fullest possible support. What they are doing is wonderful and important.”
Mental healthy would ask that you learn more about this fantastic campaign and get involved in any way you can and to donate anything you can afford to keep this wonderful charity providing support to those in need. See here: The Black Dog Campaign
