Shift: Shift Speakers' Bureau

Shift Speakers' Bureau

Giving a voice to people with mental health problems

The Shift Speakers' Bureau is a bank of people who have mental health problems who want to speak out about their experiences to the media.

The bureau is a one-stop-shop for journalists wanting to hear extraordinary, real-life stories of people from all walks of life. Their accounts will also help challenge the myths and stereotypes about mental illness by giving people with mental health problems a voice.

If you would like to arrange an interview with one of our speakers, please contact the Ben Furner on 01273 463461 or email ben@furnercommunications.co.uk

Mind Over Matter

The Shift Speakers' Bureau was set up in response to a recommendation made in Mind Over Matter, Shift's report into media coverage of mental health issues.

Mind Over Matter found that public understanding of mental health has improved enormously over recent years, as has media reporting. But prejudiced attitudes still remain deeply ingrained in society - and in the media. The report makes a series of recommendations about how media reporting can be improved.

As one of the recommendations, the report asked us to establish a Speakers' Bureau that could be used to help make sure people with mental health problems have their voice heard.

Download Mind Over Matter from the Shift Media Network.
Paper copies of the summary report can be requested from shift@csip.org.uk.

For further information

If you have a specific question about the Shift Speakers Bureau or would like to arrange an interview with one of our speakers, please contact the bureau directly by emailing ben@bf-pr.co.uk or by calling Ben Furner on 01273 463461

If you would like to know more about Shift, you can call us on 0845 223 5447 or email shift@csip.org.uk.

Masthead photo by Leo Reynolds. Used under a Creative Commons licence.